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In the digital evolution era, technical skills required by IT companies are increasingly more and more specific and vertical. A data analyst needs constant training updates to keep up with new frameworks and software. A SOC analyst learns new cyber threats day by day, caused by the emergence of alternative attack methods or next generation technologies. A developer periodically updates his list of programming languages, thus expanding his personal toolbox. However, it often happens that confusion and perplexity arise when an employer requires soft, transversal skills.
Vertical skills
Vertical or hard skills are technical skills: are you a programmer? Make a list of the programming languages you are familiar with. If you work with data, list which tools you have used in your previous experiences or have learned in your training. Any specific and fundamental knowledge to your area of expertise will be listed in the technical skills. No matter how many you have gained, whether they are three or ten, the important thing is to list and give each of them the weight they deserve within your job profile. Let's see some of the most requested hard skills in the IT field today:
- Programming languages. If you are a programmer or a software developer, the list will certainly be extensive: Java, C, C++, C#, Python, Assembly. As a data analyst, the list probably just includes SQL. Beside your specialization, one or more programming languages will certainly be useful in your IT journey.
- Linux. Multiple operating systems expertise might seem trivial but if your area is cloud or cybersecurity, the perception changes. Linux is an open source operating system much used in the aforementioned work fields. Kali Linux, for instance, is a Linux distribution specifically developed for digital forensics and penetration testing.
- Excel. The popular Microsoft tool has been among the most requested skills for years. In the data analysis field, in addition to basic knowledge of the software, having an in-depth comprehension of Excel functions might affect an interview outcome. Furthermore, knowing this tool alongside PowerBI is fundamental for any profile specialized in data analysis.
- Tableau. One more useful tool for any data enthusiast is Tableau. Tableau is a free software that allows users to give life to reports with a couple of clicks. As a data visualization software, it is today a PowerBI contender and the demand for Tableau is constantly growing.
- Blockchain. It is either the most in-demand tech today as well as the technology of the future. Whether you are an expert in data analysis, ethical hacking or coding, just a basic knowledge of the blockchain raises the level of your CV. Many of the large companies have already invested and adopted this technology and it is no coincidence that the rise of the metaverse revolves around its use.
Horizontal skills
While building a curriculum, everyone runs into the obstacle of non-technical, transversal, horizontal or so-called soft skills. The difference between hard and soft skills is simple. If in the hard skills section we list the technical skills, in the soft skills section we have a list of skills which are… non-technical! What non-technical skills mean is a broad subject. First of all, a soft skill can be listed in a CV for completely different job positions (hence, the transversal skill definition). Still, the doubts about what to include on this list remain as we are often unable to carry out a self-assessment or we do not believe that writing "creativity" as a soft skill can have value in a workplace. Through some market research, we know which are the most requested soft skills in the IT field today. The surprising fact is finding soft skills that we would expect to see in humanistic curricula rather than scientific. The digital transformation has broadened the horizons of companies and employers. Pure technical knowledge is no longer enough, something else is needed:
- Communication. Whether you are a blockchain consultant or a data analyst, the way you communicate and process information are fundamental. After carefully analyzing your data and having produced a detailed report, you need an equally valid presentation of the project in order to explain the conclusions you reached. If your background is purely humanistic but you are still approaching the world of new digital professions, fear not. You can do it! And your soft skills could give you an edge over other candidates.
- Teamwork. In the IT field, teamwork has always been a sensitive topic. Just a few years ago, programmers and developers have been having a solitary working life. With the adoption of new methodologies and philosophies (Agile, Scrum, Kaizen), teamwork in an IT team has taken new paths. Communication and sharing are key points for the development of an IT project. Team working is no longer the prerogative of a restaurant business or a marketing company.
- Organization. You can be the best coder, the strongest SOC analyst or a data scientist with many international certificates. Without analytical and organizational skills, your work will never get done. If you are distracted, you may miss some details; if you have not set a schedule to follow, you may be late for your project deadline. Every task has to be organized no matter what. And organization is not just about work: is your desk tidy? Do you have everything at your fingertips? Are you in full control of your workspace?
- Creativity. At job interviews, the questions that paradoxically make you most uncomfortable are those that at first glance you consider useless or trivial. What do you do in your free time? Do you have any hobbies? If these questions seem to go off topic, it is actually quite the opposite. The employer wants to know what kind of profile they are interviewing, what kind of person you are. Your hobbies are also the mirror of your soul. Don't be ashamed to write on your CV that you are a musician, video game lover, TV series fan, science fiction reader. The passion for art expands your creative side and this very side can be useful in unexpected ways.
- Problem Solving. In terms of creativity, when solving a problem, your creative side could push you to find that solution which a few minutes earlier seemed impossible to achieve. Problem solving is a skill required in any type of company. It is not necessary but it is always welcome.
- Passion. Is passion a skill? The answer is yes. The employer perceives your level of interest in the company's product. Be consistent with your choices, select companies that deal with areas of your knowledge, for which you feel an attraction or already have... the passion! You may not be hired for being passionate about blockchain, gaming or cybersecurity but that already is a good starting point.
Digital transformation
The skill mismatch in the labour market is expected to increase until 2030. This is a significant issue for companies, as the market frantically pushes towards a digital transformation: the only solution is continuous training for employees to prevent skills obsolescence.
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