Once upon a time, the only people who needed digital skills were those who wanted a job in the IT sector or other computing careers. These days, in a world where search engines, word processors, email and social media reign supreme, there’s no escape: we are living in the digital age.
The digital revolution shows no signs of slowing, in fact, there have been political debates surrounding digital skills. Some believe that schools should be teaching these skills as part of the foundation curriculum with the same amount of focus as is given to maths and literacy.
Everything is online these days; your bank, your shopping and you can even study online. But remember, digital skills are not only for use in your personal life, they are now necessary in most fields of work. Employers will expect a certain level of digital literacy of their employees and possessing strong digital skills will only help you to excel at work.
What is digital literacy?
As defined by Cornell University, digital literacy is the ability to find, evaluate, utilise, share, and create content using information technologies and the Internet.
If you know how, digital literacy can help you get ahead in the world of work. Are you using it to your full potential? Here’s how digital skills can boost your career:
1. Market yourself
The great thing about the internet is the fact that connectivity has never been easier. There are endless online platforms out there that you can use to your advantage. Sites such as YouTube, blogs and social media networks are great outlets for creativity and communication in your personal life. But have you ever considered using them to boost your career? They can all be used to promote yourself as a professional in your field.
There are even social media networks dedicated to professionals. The main player being LinkedIn, where you can stay connected with your colleagues, hunt for jobs and make yourself visible to recruiters. All of which can help to give you a career boost. This leads us onto our next section perfectly.
2. Build your network
LinkedIn is a great tool for growing your existing business connections. You can add people you’ve done or would like to do business with, follow companies you may be interested in working for, keep up to date with ‘influencers’ that inspire you and make brand new connections, too. Staying in touch with your network can help you nurture and maintain your business relationships. Also, by making sure that your profile is in tip top condition and regularly contributing (by posting updates, liking and commenting on those of others and publishing posts) you can paint yourself in a very good light to both your peers and potential employers.
Other ways of building your network include using online forums within your industry. You can communicate with like-minded professionals who may end up teaching you a thing or two, or who could prove to be valuable connections in the future.
3. Get ahead in the job hunt
Thanks to the many online job boards that are available, applying for a job can be as simple as one click! While it’s true that finding the right job for you is always going to be tricky, being smart with your digital skills can make sure that you’re the first to know about new opportunities that may arise and that you stand out from the pack.
Signing up to job alerts, creating professional profiles, making sure your CV is visible and using social media effectively can all help you to do so.
4. Give yourself an efficiency makeover
Maximising your efficiency at work can completely change the game. Getting more done in less time, who wouldn’t want that? So, why not use your digital skills to do so?
If there are tasks you’re doing manually, could technology help you out? Is there some software you could employ to complete certain tasks more quickly and easily? When you think about it, there are so many digital tools at your disposal that could help you to work smarter instead of harder. And guess what? You can use your digital skills to look into this too, get researching!
5. Improve and learn
It’s not called the ‘information super-highway’ for nothing, you know! The amount of information and resources available on the internet is staggering. In fact, if there’s something that Google doesn’t know, it’s probably not worth knowing!
Don’t squander the endless knowledge that you have at your fingertips. There’s more to be found online than football scores, memes and Game of Thrones spoilers. Use the internet and your digital abilities to build your knowledge and skill set.
You can conduct research online that will help you make the best decisions at work. Stay up to date on what’s going on in your industry by reading articles and subscribing to newsletters, so that you become a reliable authority. And learn new skills and new ways of working to ensure that you stay on top of your game. The list is endless, but the power lies with you – use it well!
The world has gone digital. It’s time to fully embrace the revolution by using your digital skills wisely to further your career!
