Win the Role in 2022: Add These Tech Skills on a Resume

The world of work is changing, and the rate by which industries may adopt digitalisation may come sooner than later as the trend gathers pace. This is according to key insight in SkillsFuture Singapore's report on Skills Demand for the Future Economy.

SkillsFuture Singapore called digitalisation "a key driver of growth" in Singapore's economy, powered by Smart Nation Initiatives and the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy. It also reported that digital economy jobs were available across all 23 sectors with Industry Transformation Maps (ITMs). According to the Ministry of Trade and Industry, ITMs are roadmaps that integrate and deepen partnerships between the government, firms, industries, trade associations, and chambers under the Industry Transformation Programme, an industry worth S$4.5 billion.

Thanks to technology, businesses, companies, and firms have stayed afloat even amidst the pandemic. It allowed entrepreneurs to think on their feet and adapt quickly to sustain their companies and survive the gruelling economic conditions of COVID-19.

The rise of digital amid the new normal also led to new jobs. Roles such as app developers, social media managers, and cyber security engineers have become essential and are now highly sought by every organisation. These new demands show that businesses must prioritise investment in new technology. They must keep up with the latest developments and embrace the world of digital to prepare for future jobs.

The burgeoning of the Fourth Industrial Revolution has also further shaped what lies ahead of Singapore's industrial landscape in the coming years. The World Economic Forum said that the Fourth Industrial Revolution represents a fundamental change in how we live, work and relate to one another — "a new chapter in human development, enabled by extraordinary technology advances commensurate with those of the first, second and third industrial revolutions."

Keeping this in mind, it is no surprise that the tech industry has emerged as one of the top industries in Singapore with an emerging demand. Computer and IT specialisations spent a total of 78,000 job ads between Q1 and Q3 2021, according to a JobStreet Singapore Job Report. In Singapore, some 17% of 190,200 employed in Singapore's tech scene were locals.

Why You Must Add Tech Skills to Your Resume

The 2021 JobStreet Report showed that Computer and IT roles across all levels held the top five salaries by industry and position level — from S$2850 for entry-level positions to S$9500 for senior management roles.

That said, not only tech specialists or IT professionals can benefit from the demand in tech. Even if you may not be looking for a new role in the tech industry, there are some essential skills that you must be able to incorporate into your role.

You may belong to a completely different industry outside tech. Not a problem — tech skills are crucial for employees and professionals of various backgrounds to include on their resume, show versatility, and keep up with the rapidly evolving times.

Must-have Tech Skills on Your Resume

Many of the job roles available in Singapore are "tech-lite" as more and more industries experiment with automation. "Tech-lite roles" are jobs that do not require specialised deep tech skills. That said, several roles still require the ability to understand new technologies that innovate existing processes such as automation, robotics, data analytics for application and communication purposes.

Tech companies or firms are not the only employers that need tech skills. More and more industries are seeing the merit of hiring employees with tech skills that are versatile and transferable, regardless of what industry they belong to.

Looking to apply for a "tech-lite" role? Here are some of the tech skills you may acquire and adopt for a stronger resume.

Agile software development

Agile software development refers to a set of methods and practices, where requirements and solutions evolve through collaboration between self-organizing cross-functional teams. Agile software development is also close to project management and problem-solving skills, as it fosters efficient solutions and enables teams to get more done.

Applications development

Applications development is the process of designing, building, and implementing software applications, whether developed by a single creator or in small teams and massive organisations in large teams.

Applications Integration

Application integration is the process that enables independently designed applications to work together. These include coordinating and designing the integrated flow of disparate applications and providing access to data and functionality from independently designed applications through a common or single user interface.

User Interface Design

User Interface or UI design merges various design concepts: including information design, visual design, and information architecture. UI design anticipates what users might need to do and ensures that the interface is intuitive by including elements that are easy to access, understand, and use to facilitate those actions.

Computational Thinking

In a nutshell, computational thinking allows you to analyse a complex yet significant concept. It allows you to break down the concept into more bite-sized, small and more manageable issues.

"Tech-lite" Job Demand in Singapore by 2022

Singapore's labour market is seeing better days after experiencing a slump in 2020. The unemployment rate in the country is on its way to pre-COVID-19 levels after job vacancies reached a three-year high in Q2 of 2021, according to the 2021 JobStreet Job Report.

The city-state's vaccination rate also proves that Singapore is ready to return to a semblance of normalcy, with 94% of its population of eligible individuals 12 years old and above who have now received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Industries that are currently going through digital transformation are seeing strong demand for tech-related talent, according to the JobStreet Job Report.

The following industries and specialisations that have posted more job ads and applications with top median salaries and salary growth comprise the following:

Industries

• Consulting
• Public Services
• Computer/IT
• Banking/Finance
• Education
• Retail & Trade

Other sectors that gained a high salary and growth include Telecommunications and Marketing & Advertising. Meanwhile, under specialisations, the Sciences also observed a rise in wages.

Sectors such as Construction and Transportation received over 1.7 million and 1.13 million job applications between Q1 to Q3 in 2021.

In the construction industry, 58% of job applications were for civil engineering and construction roles, with 48% of applicants looking for junior executive roles while 26% were applying for senior executive roles. Meanwhile, in transportation, entry-level roles and junior executive positions made up most of the applications with a total of 68%.

The digital economy is poised for growth in the coming years, especially as Singapore's ITM roadmaps become underway. Prepare for a career in the new normal and update your JobStreet profile to find #JobsThatMatter. Add the hashtag #WorkNow, so prospective employers know you're ready to work immediately.

Are you interested in a tech career? Find your dream job at JobStreet Singapore's Virtual Career Fair from March 9 to 11. Register now and access over 2,000 jobs and at least 100 top employers. Plus, learn the tricks of the trade with helpful career-related seminars!

For more expert advice on getting hired, visit the Career Resources page.