- by Riya Ipe
With the tech industry continuing to grow by leaps and bounds, computer and information technology jobs are among the fastest-growing occupations. The demand for highly skilled technology professionals is projected to grow 11% from 2019 to 2029, according to the bureau of labor statistics.
Technical skills and expertise are a must for professionals in any technology position. It is essential for them to continuously enhance their skills to keep up with the constant innovation in technologies. However, the importance of soft skills in this fast-paced technical environment cannot be overlooked.
Soft skills are now so essential to a successful IT career that they are considered core skills. A study done by West Monroe found that more than 78% of HR leaders are focused on finding technology professionals with strong soft skills. 67% have withheld a job offer due to a candidate’s lack of soft skills. Techies looking to stand out in their field should strive to develop these soft skills.
Let’s take a look at these essential soft skills.
1. Communication
With technology impacting all aspects of a business, effective communication is crucial. Tech professionals should be able to translate technical concepts and communicate ideas, vision, and solutions across functions, levels, departments, and even clients. The ability to share information accurately to both technical and non-technical audiences during a presentation, through an email, or in any other written or verbal form is imperative.
2. Problem Solving
The technology involves a lot of problem-solving, both internal and external. It is not only about addressing issues as and when they crop up and resolving them. Skilled problem-solving means being proactive, thinking ahead, anticipating problems and fixing it before it leads to a breakdown. Innovative thinking and understanding multiple perspectives is required to assess problems and propose potential solutions. IT professionals who are able to think creatively and plan in advance are considered an asset.
3. Interpersonal Skills
Collaboration and teamwork are an integral part of any business. Most technology development involves a team or the integration of cross-functional people within an organization. Being able to work well with others is essential for greater collaboration and innovation. Tech professionals need to be able to collaborate successfully with different personalities, incorporate their ideas and utilize their skills and knowledge. Knowing how to work effectively with the team can be the difference between a successful project and a missed deadline.
4. Project Management
With IT professionals often working on multiple projects and responsibilities, meeting deadlines and bringing projects to fruition consistently is critical. Managing projects involves the ability to conceptualize, set realistic goals, schedule and prioritize tasks, set deadlines and keep the team on track. Tech professionals need to pay attention to detail, align strategy with outcomes, manage stakeholder inputs and deliver high-quality work that is well received.
5. Critical Thinking
As businesses embark on their journey to digital transformation, it is more important than ever for tech professionals to be critical thinkers to achieve transformation success. The constant changes and project volumes require objective analysis of information, understanding of facts and perspectives to make logical and informed decisions. Critical thinking skills allow IT professionals to assess problems in an organized and rational manner and offer creative solutions.
In today’s complex work environment soft skills are no longer optional and it is necessary for tech professionals to build them as part of their skill set. By improving and exhibiting your soft skills, you can prove to be valuable to the organization, excel at your job, and maximize career potential.
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