The job market holds more opportunities than ever before for new professionals to launch lucrative work-from-home careers in various industries. A recent study by Adobe Creative Cloud surveyed new professionals and gathered LinkedIn data to uncover the skills in the highest demand for the most lucrative careers in 2022.
Digital Competencies for Success in a Virtual Workplace
Table of Contents
As more businesses turn to virtual workplaces, the demand for employees with basic and advanced digital competencies increases. Employees who can learn how to efficiently utilize digital business tools for collaboration, communication, and day-to-day work in a virtual environment are essential for success in 2022. Digital business tools can include various software for project management, task completion, data analysis, document management, etc.
Digital business transformation is key to staying competitive in the modern marketplace, but investments in technology will lose their value without a skilled workforce to properly utilize them. Tools like video conferencing, messaging, email, and task management software can streamline workflows and encourage more collaborative engagements between employees every day. The best workplaces will offer extensive training in all of the business tools required for daily business; however, job applicants who list proficiencies in these tools before applying can land a higher starting salary and better opportunities within the workplace.
Interpersonal Skills
Competitive job applicants will not only utilize collaborative tools efficiently, but they will take the initiative to communicate and collaborate well with others on their team to become an asset. Interpersonal skills are essential for effective collaboration in any professional setting.
In a virtual work environment, employees must be able to manage their own time and tasks individually while maintaining their responsibilities to the rest of the team. In-demand soft skills include time management, conflict resolution, communication, and organizational skills.
Hard Technical Skills in High Demand
The most in-demand career paths in 2022 include data analysis, web development, graphic design, digital marketing, and other professions that require technical proficiencies in digital design and other complex software. According to the Adobe CC for Students survey, “Unprepared former students were getting paid, on average, 20%-30% less than students who attained the required skills beforehand. Additionally, 56% were required to acquire specific skills after being hired.”
Learning about the hard skills and tools necessary for the position and career path you are entering is essential for success. More technical jobs require hard skills in data analysis, graphic design, and proficiencies in many Adobe products, various analytical tools, and other advanced software and platforms. There are many free online resources to learn some popular hard skills, but preparing while still in school is particularly advantageous for new professionals entering the job market in 2022.
Creativity
According to LinkedIn, creativity continues to be the number one most in-demand soft skill year-over-year. The Adobe Student Outcomes research found that “the volume of new hires with creative skills has grown 78% over the past two years. This group also sees 2-3x higher salaries with a higher projected career trajectory.”
Creative thinking at all levels of a business is key to staying flexible and innovative. Whether designing a visual asset or planning a new marketing campaign, creativity is essential for producing high-quality, unique deliverables and strong results.
Attaining proficiency in these skillsets can help new professionals land higher salaries in more ambitious career paths. Start preparing today for the work-from-home career you want.
