Unlock Your New Career With These In-Demand Job Skills

Looking for a new job this year? Then you’ll be glad to know that professional networking website LinkedIn has revealed which job skills employers want the most. So If a career change is on the cards, keep reading to discover our pick of 2019’s most sought-after skills.

User experience design is all about improving the design of digital products and services so that they’re more user-friendly. By bringing UX designers on board, businesses and developers can ensure that their websites and mobile apps look great, run smoothly and are enjoyable to use.

A solid understanding of HTML is essential for UX design roles, but employers are also keen to employ people with a working knowledge of commonly used software such as Azure, InVision, Marvel, OmniGraffle, Sketch and the Adobe Creative Suite.

As well as having the right skills, aspiring designers need to gain some relevant work experience in order to create a portfolio. So if you’re keen on a career in UX design, why not ask to take on a small project for your current employer or offer to improve the website of a local charity or community project?

LinkedIn is also a great place to look for opportunities, as many employers use the network to advertise internships. Once you’ve gained some experience, add any design work you’ve produced to your portfolio and share your work on social media or blog about it.

Learning about the design industry’s latest trends is also crucial if you want a career in UX, so we recommend joining a few specialist LinkedIn groups. This is also a great way to start making connections with the UX community.

A degree in computer science, graphic design or another subject that includes a design or computing element will give you a head start when it comes to finding work as a UX designer. If you already have a solid grasp of HTML, or want to find out more about how to become an HTML developer and the software used in UX work, any degree is acceptable, although a masters degree in UX Design will boost your chances of bagging your dream job! There are also a few apprenticeships up for grabs.

UX designers spend their time meeting clients to discuss their requirements, sketching visual concepts, creating user journeys, developing personas and coming up with prototypes. They also carry out usability testing and redesign websites.

If you become a designer, you’ll work across various platforms including mobiles, tablets and computers. Teamwork is an important part of UX design work, so expect to collaborate with other designers, engineers, business analysts and project managers.

Companies using cloud services avoid the cost of maintaining and owning their own computing infrastructure, as they rely on a shared pool of computing resources which they access via the internet. This gives their employees the ability to access applications and documents remotely without having to use a hard drive.

The most popular IT skills for cloud computing jobs include the ability to use Microsoft Azure, Amazon AWS, Salesforce, Google Cloud and DevOps. Employers also ask for knowledge of specific programming languages like Java, Python and Perl, as well as experience with operating systems such as Linux. Understanding a database querying language such as SQL is also essential for many cloud computing roles.

To land a cloud computing role, you’ll usually require a degree in computer science or a related subject. However, some UK universities are moving away from general computer science degrees and replacing them with more specialist degrees in cloud computing and cyber-security.

While you could further your expertise by taking a master’s in cloud computing, if you’re not interested in research we recommend exploring the range of professional qualifications on offer. These specialise in the specific platforms that many companies use, including Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud Platform, Microsoft Azure and Oracle Cloud. If you decide to follow this route, it’s well worth signing up for any free trials that are available, as this will enable you to gain some highly valued hands-on experience.

Cloud computing jobs cover many aspects of IT including maintenance, cyber-security and system development. While computing analysts, cloud administrators, cloud engineers and cloud architects are all in high demand, cloud application developers are particularly sought after, as many businesses are keen to adopt cloud-based systems that suit their requirements.

There’s also a growing need for network protection specialists, who ensure that cloud computing systems are safe and can withstand cyber attacks. If you’re interested in this area, you could consider becoming a penetration tester or an ethical hacker.

Looking for a career that’s competitive, creative and exciting? Then digital marketing could be for you. This fast-paced career involves promoting brands and products via website content, blogs, social media posts, e-newsletters and text campaigns.

This data-driven industry requires a combination of creative and technical skills, so if you’re an aspiring digital marketer, you’ll need a flair for copywriting and PR as well as the ability to master a range of marketing tools. These include Google AdWords, Mailchimp, Adobe Creative Cloud and Google Analytics.

Platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram also play a crucial role in digital marketing, so social media skills are essential, as is the ability to carry out search engine optimisation. Google’s Digital Garage videos are a good starting point for SEO newbies.

While there are a variety of ways to kickstart your career as a digital marketer, most employers will be impressed by a marketing degree that includes a digital component. However, if you decide to take this route, make sure that your degree is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM). Degrees in media and communication, business, creative design and journalism are also highly valued by employers.

If you don’t have a degree or your degree is totally unrelated to digital marketing, there are plenty of useful online courses and free resources that will teach you the skills you’re lacking. For example, MailChimp’s website features a handy guide to the basics of using MailChimp for email marketing. Adobe also provides a wide range of creative cloud tutorials for new users.

Once you’ve learned the basics, you’re ready to apply for digital marketing assistant roles, as you’ll then be able to add to your qualifications while you work. However, landing your first job will be easier if you can demonstrate your passion for the industry, so we suggest doing a short stint of work experience if you can.  Placements and internships with digital agencies and brands will always impress, so why not contact a few company marketing departments and digital agencies where you live? Alternatively, you could investigate opportunities to help your local charity with their social media marketing or blog posts. If you’re a graduate, you could also apply for the digital marketing graduate schemes that are run by many large employers.

The high tech world of digital marketing is constantly evolving, so it’s worth taking the time to learn the lingo and keep track of the latest trends. You can do this by subscribing to a few influential blogs. Check out Neil Patel, Econsultancy and the Moz Blog first, then for savvy social media insights, head over to Social Media Examiner or Social Media Today.

Digital marketing job descriptions include a wide variety of tasks including blogging, copywriting, PR, email marketing, mobile marketing, social media marketing, pay per click advertising and search engine optimisation. Some roles involve working across several areas, while others involve specialising in a particular niche. For example, there’s currently a huge demand for social media marketers.

If you become a digital marketer you’ll need excellent communication skills, as you’ll be working with your clients to develop a digital marketing strategy. You’ll also be expected to provide reports and analysis to show clients that their investment has been effective.

Job hunting is a competitive game, but having the right skill set will give you a much better chance of landing your dream role. Online learning has made it easier than ever to develop the specific skills you need, so why not kickstart your career by checking out our wide range of courses.