Being tech-savvy is no longer unique, it’s universal. Some people may be more comfortable around technology than others, and that might depend on your profession. We get that, but every professional nowadays must have a degree of technological sophistication to them.
To some of you reading this, the basic skills I’m about to list might already be second nature to you, and that is what I expected. Remember I put ‘basic’ in the title for a reason.
But if you’re one of those feeling incomplete when it comes to workplace tech, then have a read through this article and you might find a missing skill that changes the way you work for the better.
1. Social media savviness
No matter what role you are in, in today’s climate it is vital to be social media-savvy. The most vital platforms to become familiar with are ones you probably already use socially; Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
Having the ability to share information, and engage with clients, customers and future prospects are vital for any and every employee. It’s a two-way street that benefits both yourself and your business as a whole.
2. Spreadsheeting
On to the more boring stuff, having the ability to use spreadsheets effectively is a trait that companies look for. Whatever sector you are in, you will need to store vital company information whatever it may be, from contact information to research calculations.
If you can’t navigate yourself through Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets, then get to learning! Here are the 7 Excellent Ways to Excel at Excel.
3. Presentation skills
Most employers will assume you know how to create presentations either for clients or internal use. It doesn’t matter if you operate in a B2B or B2C company, the ability to create visually compelling work is integral to the modern workplace.
There is a multiplicity of tech tools available to you either on Google Suite or Microsoft Office that you can utilize.
4. Word processing
This may be the most basic skill. But, learning how to type properly is very important as you’ll find that most work is done digitally now. Make sure you know to utilize basic formatting such as bold, italics, and underlining effectively.
There are plenty of free word processing tutorials online to help you brush up your skills and make your content look more attractive and readable.
5. Touch typing
If you still use three fingers to type then we feel sorry for you. Having the ability to touch type means you don’t waste time looking at your keyboard.
Employers will not appreciate a candidate that isn’t a natural with the keyboard, as computers have become a necessity in the workplace. If need be, use a free online program like Ratatype or Keyhero to improve your touch typing ability.
6. Keyboard shortcuts
Learning all the basic keyboard shortcuts of the system you use, either for Apple or Microsoft PC’s, can save you a lot of time. Shortcuts such as copying, pasting, printing, window switching, bookmarking and more can make you a much productive worker.
To get to know what shortcuts are available, check out these shortcuts listed by Windows and Apple.
7. Emailing
I’ll repeat, the title of this article is about the basics, and email truly has become one of the staples of workplace technology. Knowing how to email professionally is everything. The email is the contact hub for almost all workplaces, and it is the main way for you to contact clients, customers, and co-workers.
We recommend you get to know all the basics of sending out an email, such as how to compose or format an email, or even creating an email signature for yourself. An article we previously wrote called the 12 Professional Email Etiquette Guidelines might help you do just that.
8. Staying with the times
Last but not least, I know this isn’t an actual skill but it is very important you keep an open mind when it comes to technology. Just because you are used to doing something one way, does not mean you can’t do it better another way.
Furthermore, there is no longer an excuse to not being tech-savvy, these tech skills should be second nature to you. Without them, you are limiting yourself as a professional, and limiting the business you work for.
Employers all around the world have a high demand for these basic tech skills. If we’ve missed any basics that you can’t do without, then comment below and let people know!
