jobs
Must-Have Job Skills in 2013
With 2013 just around the corner, employers remain cautious about every dollar spent on employees and want workers to show greater skills and results in the new year. So, if you want that promotion or seek to land that dream job, below are the four must-have job skills you will need in 2013.
Clear Communications -key for workers to advance
By far, the one skill mentioned most often by employers is the ability to listen, write, and speak effectively. It's about being clear, concise and focused; being able to tailor your message for the audience and listening to the views of others. Having good communication skills is essential to getting yourself through the interview process. Successful communication will be critical in 2013.
Personal Branding - how you represent yourself
Recruiters and hiring managers scour blogs, Twitter and professional networking sites such as LinkedIn when researching candidates and it's important that they like what they find. Your brand is how you represent yourself on these platforms. Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter aren't just for kids; each social media platform in its own way has become a crucial branding tool for job seekers. Employers want confident, hard-working employees who are committed to achieving excellence. Using these platforms correctly can show employers how confident you are about your unique mix of skills, education, and abilities.
Productivity Improvement - new ways to increase productivity
Workers should find new ways to increase productivity in 2013 because executives are always looking for improvements in employee performance. Implementing a few of the simple methods below will help increase your productivity in 2013:
- Work harder— find ways to increase your task focus.
- Work faster—find ways to pick up your work pace.
- Work on higher value activities—find ways to prioritize your work.
- Do the things you are better at—find ways to focus on results.
- Group your tasks—find ways to focus on related tasks.
- Work smarter—find ways to simplify Your Work.
- Work longer hours—find more minutes in the day
Flexibility - the ability to quickly respond to an employer's changing needs
In 2013, employers will be looking for candidates who are highly adaptable, mobile, positive, resilient, patient risk-taker who are open to new ideas. Flexible team players thrive in environments requiring ability to effectively prioritize and juggle multiple concurrent projects. These types of skills help you manage multiple assignments and tasks, set priorities, and adapt to changing conditions and work assignments. Employers want you to show them that you're the kind of person who will find a way through any challenge, even when the going gets tough.
Follow us on Facebook for even more insider job tips.
Can a Master’s Degree Really Help You Nail Your Dream Job?
When looking for a job, you more than likely will come across positions with the line among the requirements “MBA/Masters degree preferred. The question is, if you don’t have the relevant advanced degree in the desired field, can you still go ahead and submit your resume? In other words, how much of a deal breaker is not having an MA or MS and if you in fact have it, will it catapult your resume ahead of the applications of the other hopeful job seekers?
In our returning series “Ask a Recruiter”, we spoke with Shrijeet N., one of Akraya’s senior technical recruiters about the pros and cons of having a master’s degree when it comes to nailing your dream job.
There has been a lot of discussion lately if getting an advanced degree is really worth it. Do you think having an advanced degree, such as a Masters or PhD helps candidates get a job?
“Any advanced degree or specialization is always good to have. It adds value to your resume, especially if you are applying for the job in the same domain. Though, don’t stress if you only have a bachelor’s degree. Hiring managers want to hire only the best and they do not restrict their options to only those with a MS/PhD or having specific number of years of experience. Hiring managers will consider both and weigh their options wisely. In addition, sometimes you don’t even need to invest time and money into an MS/MA. A certificate in the specialized field you are applying for can also do the trick and these can be obtained much faster. The most important thing is that you have specialized skills and experience that are relevant to the job you are applying to; this will put you ahead of the competition!
Can relevant work experience ever outweigh a Master’s degree?
“Yes, definitely. If a job candidate is looking for a job in Creative or Project Management, having a Masters, MBA or a specialized certification related to the job will put them ahead of others. For research related jobs, managers specifically ask for a PhD or MS, as these people will be more analytical than those without. Also, sound conceptual knowledge is more important than applied knowledge for certain specialized jobs. However, sometimes a master’s degree means that the candidate spent their time gaining conceptual knowledge and lacks hands-on experience. Working in the field for a certain number of years can benefit a job candidate over a candidate with a Master’s degree and no work experience.”
Do advanced degrees from top universities make a difference compared to not so well known universities?
“If someone has a degree from a top university or has worked with Fortune 100 companies, recruiters notice that and highlight that information in the candidate’s resume. Also, a high GPA score from a well-known college also becomes a great selling point for the recruiter. Though, no matter where you get your advanced degree from, it will still benefit you in your job search.”
For more job search tips and IT job postings, follow us on Twitter @Akraya.