The global pandemic and economic downturn taught many of us the importance of financial security and independence. As the labor market continues to undergo transformations, remote work is the new normal for employees across the world. If you are searching for ways to strengthen your resume and stand out from other applicants, consider developing skills that increase your fluency in this evolving virtual world. These hard skills would be invaluable for your professional career.

Hard skills are essential components of your professional skill set – they are applicable across many situations and fields. Some may have a steep learning curve, but the time and effort you invest is well worth it. Understanding some of these technologies and adapting these skills into your work will transform the value that you offer to your current and future employers; especially as businesses are desperately trying to modernize their technology stack in order to remain competitive. Whether you are job hunting, diversifying your income stream, or simply browsing, the hard skills listed below will enhance your work from home or the office.

1. Python Basics

Python is a computer programming language commonly used in many fields. Other popular languages include C++ and Java, but Python has risen significantly in popularity the past decade. The programming language is helpful for many tasks, such as web development and developing systems that perform tedious and repetitive tasks. Proficiency in any programming language is a valuable asset, but Python is an especially great place for beginners to start because of how versatile and sought-after it is. There are many career paths readily available for those that understand Python. Not only can you follow the traditional route of becoming a coder or programmer, but you can also take the well-sought after route of data analytics and data science. In this career area, Python is a particularly useful programming language used in algorithms and machine learning applications.

You can download Python for Mac, Windows, Linux or other systems here. Free courses are available on Datacamp and LinkedIn Learning Courses. Like any language, coding skills improve with practice and exposure. Developing a solid foundation in Python basics will help you work more efficiently and creatively. Over time, you may build on your understanding of Python to design more elegant systems and solve increasingly complex problems.

Python skills is a very in-demand skill set right now, and learning this skill set opens you to a large variety of opportunities. This has become such an in-demand skill, that people who know Python are getting $100-$300 dollars per hour.

2. SQL

SQL is a programming language used to communicate with databases. For anyone whose work requires interfacing and manipulating data, developing an understanding of SQL is invaluable.

Many professionals in different industries use SQL when working with large amounts of data or when designing database software. It reduces the time spent generating reports and allows you to analyze your data more quickly and precisely. While you do not need to be a coder to use SQL, understanding the basics will help you communicate with anyone who is involved in coding.

There are a lot of ways to get started in SQL. This is especially true since SQL has been such a fundamental skill set in the technology space for decades. You can start learning SQL by taking a free course on Coursera or through other courses readily available on Datacamp (https://www.datacamp.com/courses/introduction-to-sql) and LinkedIn Learning Courses (https://www.linkedin.com/learning/topics/sql)

SQL is commonly used by marketers, data analysts and several other professionals. Not only does it increase your potential for advancement in your current role, but also makes you more marketable if you are seeking a new position. Even if you don’t want to transition to a marketing or data role, SQL skills are beneficial in almost any field.

3. Data Visualization with PowerBI

Data visualization and dashboard reporting skills will make your reports much more effective and make you a valuable asset to your team. This is an essential skill for any role that requires data analysis or reporting.

Good visualizations highlight key points in the data, whereas bad visualizations can distort information and lead to erroneous conclusions. The importance of data visualization is on the rise, so you will have many more opportunities to develop your skills if you are interested in transitioning into a career that focuses more on analytics.

PowerBI is a data analysis tool that enables you to visualize and explore your big data. You can create interactive dashboards and reports, allowing you to communicate complex concepts in a more efficient and aesthetically appealing way. It makes it easier for you and your team members to make better business decisions based on the information available.

There are many ways to start learning PowerBI. You can take a free course on Microsoft Virtual Academy, or download the PowerBI Desktop and play around with it. This is an especially useful skill to develop if you are employed in finance, marketing or another area where you often need to analyze statistical data.

Data visualization skills are important for anyone who works with data, but especially marketers and analysts. This skill will catapult your career into the upper echelon if you have it on your resume. Over time, you may build more complex visualizations that would be very impressive to any hiring manager or recruiter. As more companies collect and manage more data, the demand for skilled professionals using PowerBI and other BI tools is growing. Access to this type of technology can give you a significant advantage in today’s competitive job market.

4. Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Amazon Web Services, or AWS, is a cloud computing platform. It allows you to develop and host web applications without needing to purchase additional infrastructure or hardware.

Customers use services from Amazon Web Services for a variety of different reasons, such as reducing the need for in-house servers and software licensing costs, speeding up application development time and reducing capital expenditures.

Without knowing how to use AWS, you are missing out on a significant market potential.

You can get started learning about AWS by taking a free course on Lynda or by exploring some of the documentation. This is an especially useful skill to have if you are working in any field that deals with large amounts of data, such as finance, social media management and marketing analytics.

According to IBM’s 2018 Global C-Suite Study , 70 percent of executives said they are making extensive use of cloud computing. This demand for skilled professionals is what has made Amazon Web Services one of the most in-demand skills on many job boards.

As it becomes more common for companies to have an online presence, the demand for skilled cloud professionals is expected to continue growing. Knowing how to navigate this platform gives you a competitive advantage when looking for work and could potentially lead to a promotion or even a new job.

5. Blockchain

Blockchain is at the top of LinkedIn’s list of in-demand hard skills. Businesses use the technology to record transactions and assets in a transparent and auditable way. If you are not familiar with blockchain technology, you have definitely heard of Bitcoin, the cryptocurrency that is made possible by this innovative method of public record-keeping. Whether you are techsavvy or not, blockchain is projected to become more prominent across many fields, such as health care, finance and social good. Become familiar with the technology, and you may develop fresh insights in your field of work. 

LinkedIn recommends the following courses to familiarize yourself with this rising technology:

• Blockchain Basics with Jonathan Reichental
• Blockchain Beyond the Basics with Jonathan Reichental
• Blockchain: Learning Solidity with Emmanuel Henri

If you are comfortable programming in at least one language and would like a more hands-on approach, check out Blockchain Specialization with Bina Ramamurthy on Coursera. Taught through the University of California at Berkeley, this specialization introduces you to blockchain from a technical perspective. It is a great option if you are looking to take your understanding of blockchain beyond theoretical knowledge and into practical applications.

The Bottom Line

Add any one of these hard skills to your professional toolkit, and you will be better prepared to navigate and manage the sea of information available to you. Learning new hard skills may seem daunting at first, but rest assured they will contribute to your professional and personal development. Invest in your future self now to reap the long-term rewards of your hard work. The online community is a rich source of knowledge and data at your fingertips. Make it work for you!

If you’re looking for career advancement opportunities and higher pay, then learning how to code is probably at the top of your list. Some professionals are even leaving their non-technical roles to become full stack developers, either because it is the only way they can transition into a new role or simply because it’s something that they’ve always wanted to do.

While it may not be the obvious choice, learning to code is actually one of the best ways to advance your career or move into a new role. Whether you’re interested in marketing, finance, data analysis or another field that uses technology, having coding skills drastically improves your potential for advancement.

If you’ve never worked with code before, it may take you longer to get started with learning Python, SQL or PowerBI. However, these skills have been deemed valuable enough that the average salary for developers in 2017 was over $100,000, and has only increased.

Many businesses are willing to pay a premium rate for new talent with these skills because it allows them to skip past the training phase and move right into creating applications and websites. Not only will you be able to start earning a higher salary, but companies may offer additional incentives such as stock options or flexible work hours. If you decide that working with one of these technologies is not the right career path for you, many of these skills can also be applied in marketing, management and customer service.