t’s a common situation: you want to shine brighter in interviews or at work. You wonder how best to get the job or promotion you want. You want that ‘X-factor’ that makes you stand out. The solution could be simple: focus on adding 21st-century skills to your skillset.
According to a LinkedIn survey, 57% of senior leaders say soft skills in business communication are more important than hard skills. Other than job-specific knowledge, the key skills needed in order to participate in a global economy and succeed in a rapidly changing work environment are known as 21st-century skills. They include:
- Critical thinking and problem-solving
- Communication and collaboration
- Creativity
- Global and cultural awareness
- Digital skills
- Leadership and personal development
Here are some things you can do to develop these skills:
- Be well-informed about your profession through Internet-based research for personal development and to flex your digital skills.
- Analyse ideas and concepts you read about: Think about the pros and cons of applying them in your own situation and develop your problem-solving abilities and creativity.
- Discuss ideas with colleagues or others in your industry, face-to-face or in the virtual world, to develop your collaboration and communication skills.
- Network with people in other states or countries for fresh perspectives and to build your cultural awareness.
- Build your communication skills by commenting on articles, taking part in online forums and making the most of video conferencing.
Taking an online course is a great way to advance your 21st-century capabilities. They can help you develop self-motivation, time management, digital research and communication skills. MOOCs, for example, will expand your professional knowledge and provide global perspectives from other participants who join from around the world. The British Council offers a range of MOOCs on the FutureLearn platform, including ‘How to Succeed in a Global Workplace’.
If you want to develop your communication skills in English, look for courses that focus on maximising opportunities for you to speak or write. A good course will develop your independent learning skills and offer practical learning activities based on real-life situations. At the British Council, these skills are built into our course design. For example, our online myEnglish courses include communicative group tasks in live online classes – all under the guidance of an internationally-qualified and experienced teacher.
Whether independently or via a course, you will benefit from identifying and developing your 21st-century skill set. With these skills in hand, you can future-proof your career aspirations, stand out to employers and gain the advantage in the 21st Century workplace.
Learn more about our online business communication learning and development solutions by clicking here.