1. UX Design Skills
User experience design is all about improving the design of digital products and services so that they’re more user-friendly. By bringing UX designers on board, businesses and developers can ensure that their websites and mobile apps look great, run smoothly and are enjoyable to use.
Who employs UX designers?
- The education sector
- Finance companies
- The health sector
- Publishing
- Telecommunications
- Marketing companies
- Broadcasting companies
- Public bodies
- Charities
- Digital agencies
- Web development agencies
Which UX design skills are in high demand?
A solid understanding of HTML is essential for UX design roles, but employers are also keen to employ people with a working knowledge of commonly used software such as Azure, InVision, Marvel, OmniGraffle, Sketch and the Adobe Creative Suite.
As well as having the right skills, aspiring designers need to gain some relevant work experience in order to create a portfolio. So if you’re keen on a career in UX design, why not ask to take on a small project for your current employer or offer to improve the website of a local charity or community project?
LinkedIn is also a great place to look for opportunities, as many employers use the network to advertise internships. Once you’ve gained some experience, add any design work you’ve produced to your portfolio and share your work on social media or blog about it.
Learning about the design industry’s latest trends is also crucial if you want a career in UX, so we recommend joining a few specialist LinkedIn groups. This is also a great way to start making connections with the UX community.
2. Cloud Computing Skills
Companies using cloud services avoid the cost of maintaining and owning their own computing infrastructure, as they rely on a shared pool of computing resources which they access via the internet. This gives their employees the ability to access applications and documents remotely without having to use a hard drive.
Who employs computing specialists?
- IT companies
- Technology companies
- Banks
- Car manufacturers
- Retailers
- Governments
- Charities
- Health organisations
- Public bodies
Which cloud computing skills are in high demand?
The most popular IT skills for cloud computing jobs include the ability to use Microsoft Azure, Amazon AWS, Salesforce, Google Cloud and DevOps. Employers also ask for knowledge of specific programming languages like Java, Python and Perl, as well as experience with operating systems such as Linux. Understanding a database querying language such as SQL is also essential for many cloud computing roles.
3. Digital Marketing Skills
Looking for a career that’s competitive, creative and exciting? Then digital marketing could be for you. This fast-paced career involves promoting brands and products via website content, blogs, social media posts, e-newsletters and text campaigns.
Who employs digital marketers?
- Small businesses
- Marketing departments
- Digital agencies
- Design agencies
- Advertising agencies
Which digital marketing skills are in demand?
This data-driven industry requires a combination of creative and technical skills, so if you’re an aspiring digital marketer, you’ll need a flair for copywriting and PR as well as the ability to master a range of marketing tools. These include Google AdWords, Mailchimp, Adobe Creative Cloud and Google Analytics.
Platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram also play a crucial role in digital marketing, so social media skills are essential, as is the ability to carry out search engine optimisation. Google’s Digital Garage videos are a good starting point for SEO newbies.
What qualifications do digital marketers need?
While there are a variety of ways to kickstart your career as a digital marketer, most employers will be impressed by a marketing degree that includes a digital component. However, if you decide to take this route, make sure that your degree is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM). Degrees in media and communication, business, creative design and journalism are also highly valued by employers.
If you don’t have a degree or your degree is totally unrelated to digital marketing, there are plenty of useful online courses and free resources that will teach you the skills you’re lacking. For example, MailChimp’s website features a handy guide to the basics of using MailChimp for email marketing. Adobe also provides a wide range of creative cloud tutorials for new users.
Once you’ve learned the basics, you’re ready to apply for digital marketing assistant roles, as you’ll then be able to add to your qualifications while you work. However, landing your first job will be easier if you can demonstrate your passion for the industry, so we suggest doing a short stint of work experience if you can. Placements and internships with digital agencies and brands will always impress, so why not contact a few company marketing departments and digital agencies where you live? Alternatively, you could investigate opportunities to help your local charity with their social media marketing or blog posts. If you’re a graduate, you could also apply for the digital marketing graduate schemes that are run by many large employers.
The high tech world of digital marketing is constantly evolving, so it’s worth taking the time to learn the lingo and keep track of the latest trends. You can do this by subscribing to a few influential blogs. Check out Neil Patel, Econsultancy and the Moz Blog first, then for savvy social media insights, head over to Social Media Examiner or Social Media Today.
What does the role involve?
Digital marketing job descriptions include a wide variety of tasks including blogging, copywriting, PR, email marketing, mobile marketing, social media marketing, pay per click advertising and search engine optimisation. Some roles involve working across several areas, while others involve specialising in a particular niche. For example, there’s currently a huge demand for social media marketers.
If you become a digital marketer you’ll need excellent communication skills, as you’ll be working with your clients to develop a digital marketing strategy. You’ll also be expected to provide reports and analysis to show clients that their investment has been effective.
