In the report “The Future of Jobs” prepared by the “World Economic Forum”, 10 skills that the global job market will demand in 2020 are interestingly compiled. These include complex problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, creativity, people management skills, collaboration skills, emotional intelligence, assessment and decision-making skills, service orientation, negotiation skills, and cognitive flexibility.

         However, as we approach 2020, it seems that the 10 skills once thought to be challenging but sufficient may no longer be the final answer. The world is constantly changing, and if you want to be a new breed of successful workers who catch the eye of modern employers and organizations, you need not only these 10 essential skills but also an additional 7 skills to truly be considered a well-rounded new-age worker.



         1. Lifelong Learning In a world of constant change, new knowledge and technologies emerge all the time. Therefore, the road of learning has no end. What you learn or know today may not be enough to stand firm in the future. The only way to survive and have a place in the job market is to never stop learning. As Alvin Toffler, the famous author and former associate editor of Fortune magazine, once said, the definition of illiteracy in the 21st century does not refer to those who cannot read or write, but to those who cannot learn new things (Learn), cling to what they have learned, and are unwilling to discard old knowledge (Unlearn), as well as those who do not learn what they already know from new perspectives (Relearn).

 


         2. Love Reading One of the survival skills that cannot be overlooked throughout life is reading. Nowadays, just reading quickly is not enough; you must also choose what to read wisely. Believe it or not, most successful people dedicate 3-4 hours a day to feed their minds through reading. However, for beginners, you don’t need to go to such extremes; just start by spending an hour a day reading to make it a habit.

 


         3. Be a Note-Taker One of the best ways to learn is to keep notes, as this will serve as a crucial foundation for further learning.     

 


         4. Data Analysis Skills Building on the previous point, when you can effectively take notes, you will be able to review, analyze, and synthesize that information to develop enviable big ideas.

 


         5. Stay Informed About Social Trends This skill can be enhanced through reading. Whenever you accumulate a wealth of knowledge and information from diverse readings, you will be able to catch social trends effectively. Thanks to technology, everything is as easy as flipping your hand. Not only does technology provide access to vast amounts of information, but it also allows you to save articles you like as a personal database for future reference or to crystallize into new ideas at your fingertips. 

 


         6. Communication Skills Once you have accumulated knowledge, you need to express it effectively through both speaking and writing skills.

 


         7. Learn to Understand and Embrace Diversity in Society In an increasingly borderless world, you must be ready to accept and adapt to diversity, not only at the societal level but also in the workplace. You need to be prepared to learn how to work and live alongside people who may have different backgrounds from yours without any issues.


         If you don’t want to become outdated labor, one of the crucial missions as we count down to 2020 is to equip yourself with the necessary skills and those that will lead to your success starting today.