Staying Ahead of the Curve

March 15, 2010

Nowadays, it’s easy to get left behind by technology and skills required for many jobs. Before, knowing how to fax something was good enough, now you need to know how to email attachments. White-out is a thing of the past, replaced by Microsoft Office and other word processors. As jobs become harder and harder to find, candidates need to make themselves more and more appealing. 25 years at a company is great experience, but if you get laid off and need another job, there are a handful of skills you’ll need to learn to make yourself a true asset to a new company. Here is a brief list of skills and links to get you up to date with technology and to prepare yourself for the future:

1. Email
Email is the new standard for communication. It’s the fastest, most direct way to reach people anywhere around the world. It’s also free in most cases, and therefor very easy to try and learn. There is a brief article at http://www.ehow.com/how_4477916_use-email.html that can help a first timer. Also, many public libraries teach classes for free on computer basics. Great for those who have never learned how to use a mouse or the internet.

2. Word Processors
The typewriter has been retired, and the word processor is it’s successor. Familiarity with the most common software will translate to other programs as well. Microsoft word is the industry standard, but OpenOffice has a free version. Libraries and internet sites have training for these programs as well. Often Free. Copy and Paste are key functions for efficiency.

3. Digital Cameras
Many people who aren’t familiar with these are afraid of them, but the truth is, they’re just like the same ones we’ve always used! Most of them are as simple as just holding down a button, sometimes without even looking through the viewfinder, because a picture is on the screen. Walk into a Best Buy or Target and play around, ask the associates, they’re usually eager to help. You don’t even have to buy one, just get the feel for snapping a few pictures.

4. Text Messages
This one is slowly crawling to the forefront of communication. Direct, hard-to-ignore messages are sent from phone to phone using the phones numeric keypad to type messages. If you don’t have a phone, borrow a friend’s and ask them how to use it. Being able to send simple replies like “Yes,” “no,” or “Call CAC, they helped me!” is a huge factor that can set you apart from technologically challenged candidates.

Lastly,
5. The internet. If you’re reading this, you’re at least part of the way there. Learning to search and properly harness the power of the internet can make you the untimate candidate. Virtually anything can be learned online as there are instructions, tutorials, and wikipedia. Not sure how to fix the copier? Knowing how to find the instruction manual online makes you the new repairman. Not sure which forms you need for taxes? The internet has the answer if you know how to search. Spend some time searching on Google, and using different keywords. Check out next week’s article about search tips and how to find what you need, quickly.

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