As reported by the Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS), 17.6 million fewer jobs existed in May 2020 than in May 2019, yet the number of tech occupations expanded by 1.2% over that time. In the technology industry, the pandemic sparked employment shifts that may well prove to carry on for a while.

One study suggests that remote employment in the IT industry will grow until 2025; this trend has the potential to expand diversity in the workplace by removing the requirement that workers be physically located near the company’s headquarters.

The effects of COVID-19 on employment, demand, and working conditions, as well as how they might change in the future, are discussed below.

Virtual Hiring is the New Norm

Seventy per cent of respondents to a LinkedIn poll predicted that a hybrid hiring process, combining virtual and in-person methods, will become increasingly standard due to the related cost and time savings.

According to LinkedIn stats, there has been a 20% increase in internal migration since the outbreak of COVID-19.

In addition, half of those polled predict a cut to their recruiting budget this year, while the other half expect their learning and development (L&D) budget to grow or remain unchanged.

Instead of looking outside the company for new employees, some analysts predict that businesses would rely on internal mobility programmes linked to reskilling initiatives or engage contingent talent for the skillsets they require.

This then begs the question - has the pandemic really changed what companies are looking for in their employees or has it only served to reveal what they were looking for all along?. In this article, we go through some of the skills that companies are looking out for today and review if Covid-19 has changed what’s required of a tech job.

Post-Pandemic Skills Candidates Should Watch Out For

The best and brightest of today have accumulated a set of abilities that will be invaluable to businesses in the years to come. The following four abilities are very important for businesses to look for when hiring new employees.

1. A Service-Driven Mentality

Having the mindset of service means prioritizing the needs of others over one’s own. A more cheerful outlook can improve communication and relationships inside a business, benefiting everyone from workers to clients to customers.

2. A Knack for Establishing Connections

As companies seek to reassemble and rebuild their staff, fostering strong, lasting relationships among employees is more important than ever.

3. Multifaceted Experiences

Even if a candidate’s past experiences don’t appear directly applicable to the position at hand, the depth and breadth of those experiences might provide insight into how they will perform. Any company that hires a person with such qualifications is likely to see an uptick in productivity and quality of output as a result.

4. Trustworthiness

A high level of trust and cooperation amongst team members is essential for maintaining communication, morale, and output throughout the pandemic.

Top In-Demand IT Skills to Boost Your Tech Resume In 2022

Try looking at any job postings that catch your eye to get an idea of what kinds of knowledge and abilities employers value. Here are the top In-Demand IT skills in 2022:

1. Programming

Those who aspire to create software, web applications, or websites will require the ability to code. The following languages are frequently asked of programmers and are also fair game for IT professionals.

Python
C++
JavaScript
Ruby
PowerShell

2. Data Analysis

Data analysis skills will be useful in many areas of IT. Database administrators and data engineers are two examples of IT professionals who work with data.

SQL
SQL Statistics
Python

3. Cyber Security

Any information technology group should make security a priority. If you want to work in IT security, for example, as an information security analyst, you’ll need the following talents.

Knowledge of computer, network, and software security
Data encryption
Installation of Routers and Firewalls
Ethical hacking and penetration testing
Analysis of threats and plans to mitigate risks
Familiarity with relevant laws and standards, such as PCI-DSS, HIPAA, and CCPA

4. Cloud Computing

Opportunities to work with cloud technology include being a cloud developer, administrator, or architect. The following cloud services are important to know:

AWS
Google Cloud
Microsoft Azure
Oracle

5. Machine Learning

Machine learning is a subgroup of artificial intelligence that has quickly become one of the most sought-after abilities for those working in the technology industry, particularly those in the fields of programming and data science. So, make sure you can manage:

Kernels
Clustering
Deep learning techniques
Parametric and nonparametric algorithms

How to Fully Prepare For Your First Tech Job?

Tech companies are always setting new objectives to address client needs and advance their products. So always be prepared:

1. Improve Your Tech Skills

The extent of human knowledge is infinite. Distance tends to enhance clarity. It’s okay to refresh your memory on the material you supposedly already know. The same goes for your mental reorientation with regards to the tech firm and your role there.

2. Communicate

One of the most effective manners of interaction is the exchange of questions. Having an open channel facilitates the free movement of understanding, mental processing, and listening.

3. Be Creative

Working in technology is a stimulating and creative environment. It’s in your best interest to be open to any and all solutions when tackling challenges or carrying out assignments. You’re also displaying a commendable trait for a techie by pushing yourself to grow and develop.

4. Get Your Head in the Game

Technical work can be mentally taxing. Everywhere you look, there are problems, both technical and otherwise, that need fixing. There will be times when you need to keep an open mind, practise patience, meditate, set priorities, and release pressure. Hence, it’s important to put up some effort into being resilient under stress.

Common Mistakes in the Application Process

1. Common Resume Mistakes

Submitting the Same Resume for Multiple Job Applications

It’s possible for company cultures and needs to vary even among businesses in the same field. As a result, tailor your resume and cover letter to each position you apply for.

Including Personal Information

Before, companies were prohibited from inquiring about marital status, nationality, or religious affiliation while making hiring decisions. Now, it looks unprofessional if a candidate does so while applying for a job.

Unprofessional Email Address

There is no reason to apply for employment without a professional email account, as there are many free email service providers, and it takes less than 2 minutes to register a new email address. Simply combine your first and last names into a new name.

2. Common Cover Letter Mistakes

Relying on a stock cover letter

Applying for graduate employment with a generic cover letter demonstrates laziness. It gives the impression that you aren’t particularly interested in the position you’re applying for, regardless of how short on time and resources you may be. Many times, hiring managers can tell when a cover letter is generic.

Poor Layout

Make your cover letter simpler to read by sticking to a common font, breaking up long passages into shorter, more manageable ones, and maintaining a consistent font size throughout.

3. Common Interview Mistakes

Memorizing Code for Algorithms & Data Structures

Although it’s common for job seekers to worry that they’ll need to cram for an interview by reading up on algorithms and data structures, the truth is that you probably won’t need to write any code at all.

Overlooking Programming Foundations

While JavaScript is certainly important, candidates for front-end developer roles should not overlook the importance of having a solid grip on HTML and CSS.

All the suggestions above should help you take the first step towards creating a better career in technology. So, congratulations on making the move and best of luck!

Backend Technology Interview Questions