With remote working being on the increase, companies and organisations are demanding for jobs and skills that will help to respond to the COVID-19 disruptions and navigate challenges seen now and for the foreseeable future.
BusinessDay collated views from some human resource officers and the interactions showed that out of the 10 top in-demand jobs, three were tech-related, while the rest were not.
The year 2020 saw many people around the world and in Nigeria lose their jobs or had their salaries slashed as companies reduced the workforce in responding to the pandemic or adopted remote working. With the country’s unemployment rate at 27.1 percent in the second quarter of 2020, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, there would be a lot of job hunting in the days to come.
Jobs are a significant part of our lives and most times, our life goals revolve around them. It means more than just getting paid. It means being able to make one’s own choices about how to live. Therefore, in order to still not remain in the unemployment bracket, but add value to companies, here are the most sought after jobs for the year.
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Software developers: They are the creative, brainstorming and masterminds behind computer programs of all sorts. The job entails understanding user needs, developing software solutions, monitoring performance and modifying programs as needed. The nature of their work is largely focused on creating for consumers.
There are two main classifications of developers: applications software developers and systems software developers. Mathematical aptitude & problem-solving skills, coding/programming skills, organisational & time management skills, accuracy & attention to detail, understanding trends & roles in a commercial environment, teamwork skills and staying curious are the skills needed to be a good developer.
Machine Learning (ML) Specialists: This is a relatively new profession. It involves designing, developing machine learning and deep learning systems, running machine learning tests and experiments and implementing appropriate ML algorithms. An ML specialist is also a software specialist with a strong mathematics background, knowledge of coding and strong knowledge of data.
The profession is mostly involved in the development of Artificial Intelligence algorithms and devices. As an ML specialist, you will take part in inventing and deploying innovative technologies, useful in almost every sector and industry. It might be very helpful if you had a degree in computer science, mathematics or similar field.
Data analysts: The job of the data analyst involves using technical skills to analyse data and report insights. In organizations, a data analyst assigns a numerical value to important business functions so performance can be assessed and compared over time. But the job involves more than just looking at numbers, it also needs to know how to use data to enable an organization to make more informed and critical business decisions and identify inefficiencies and other business problems that need to be addressed.
Graphic designers: They are visual communicators who communicate ideas to inspire, inform, or captivate consumers through both physical and virtual art forms using computer software that include images, words, or graphics.
Remi Abioye, a graphic designer said that although there has always been a demand for graphic designers, the demand is now higher due to remote working.
“Companies are now demanding our services because they are setting up online. So, they need good designers to make their brand recognizable and prominent,” Abioye said.
Digital marketers: Digital marketers are different from traditional ones. They drive and raise brand awareness by utilizing internet and online-based digital technologies such as desktop computers, mobile phones and other digital media and platforms to promote products and services, unlike the traditional marketing that drives awareness offline.
In Nigeria, there were 154.4 million internet users as at November 2020, data from the Nigerian Communication Commission shows. With this huge number, it presents an opportunity for digital marketers.
Human resource officers: With the COVID-19 disruptions in lives and businesses, human resource officers are key to organizations as they must rethink, reimagine and reconsider how they foster talent, deliver services and strengthen their organizations. As a human resource officer, you are responsible for hiring, developing and looking after employees.
Ola Winnifred, a human resource officer at Renda limited noted that remote working has made companies to lay off front desk officers, and with this, companies are now demanding more for their services.
Customer service specialists: This is an individual who is responsible for handling questions, comments and complaints regarding a particular business. They attract potential customers by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other products. They can also be seen as a revenue generator.
And in order to be good customer service specialist, you need skills like, patience, attentiveness, ability to communicate clearly, knowledge of the product, ability to use positive language, acting skills, time management skills, ability to read customers, unflappability, goal-oriented focus, ability to handle surprises, persuasion skills, tenacity, closing ability empathy and willingness to learn.
Sales specialists: They have an in-depth understanding of all company products and services, and the skills and industry knowledge required to sell them. They improve sales and overall business growth. These specialists also prepare marketing budgets, conduct research and analyse trends, lead the sales team, and perform sales forecasts.
According to Zippia careers, sale is one of those art forms that is very hard to teach. “You need to have talent. If you are good at it, training will make you a lot better,” it said.
Financial analysts: They are professionals that examine financial data and use their findings to guidance and help companies make business decisions and evaluate investment opportunities. They are critical companies because they make business recommendations organizations based on analyses they carry out on factors like market trends, the financial status of companies and the predicted outcomes of a certain type of business deal.
They work in banks, financial planning institutions, investment advisory firms, portfolio management providers, insurance companies and government regulatory firms.
Information Technology help desk: These technicians provide technical assistance on computer systems and serve as the first contact for customers who need technical assistance over the phone or email.
