Hard Skills, Soft Skills, and Digital Literacy for the Workplace: Ways to Stay Employed

 

Image credit: Microsoft Stock Images

Employers report a skills gap between what they expect and what potential employees can offer (Bessen, 2014). Bessen stated that “Since information technologies have radically changed much work over the last couple of decades, employers have had persistent difficulty finding workers who can make the most of these new technologies” (para. 5). Others state the real skills gap exists in the lack of soft skills, the “interpersonal and relationship-building skills that help people to communicate and collaborate effectively. These people skills are more critical than ever as organizations struggle to find meaningful ways to remain competitive and … productive” (National Soft Skills Association, n.d., para. 3). This blog post explores hard and soft skills needed for the workplace and explains how digital literacy can augment soft skills.

 

Hard skills are the qualifications that will enable you to be hired and include job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities that employees need to perform their job duties effectively. They are primarily cognitive abilities (Ferreira et al., 2023) that may be developed while pursuing a college or university degree, during relevant work experience, and/or from completing professional certifications online. Hard skills can include technical skills, knowledge of software, and professional skills. Hard skills can be specific to a workplace, occupation, or industry and may not transfer to other work settings. Remarkably, most of the success on the job comes from having well-developed soft skills, and only a small part consists of technical skills and knowledge.

 

Soft skills are an essential component of the personal and professional characteristics employers seek when hiring employees. Soft skills are related to behavior, attitude, and values and can be crucial to professional success (Ferreira et al., 2023). They are involved in working well with colleagues, taking responsibility, working as part of a team, communicating with your colleagues, negotiating ideas, and the ability to collaborate with other people. Multiple capacities can be designated as soft skills including personal accountability, teamwork, negotiation skills, conflict resolution, flexibility, adaptability, problem solving, self-confidence, critical and analytical thinking, customer service, work ethic and initiative, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal relations. There are many ways to define soft skills. Still, central characteristics in many definitions are a positive attitude and the ability to interact effectively with others to facilitate productivity. Soft skills are hard to measure but are essential to obtaining, succeeding, and keeping a job (National Soft Skills Association, n.d.).

 

Employers value soft skills because they contribute to a positive work environment, enhance teamwork and collaboration, improve productivity, and facilitate career advancement. Soft skills are required to apply hard skills in the workplace effectively. Soft skills are often considered just as important as technical skills in many job roles, and employees who possess strong, soft skills are more adaptable and resilient in the face of challenges and changes in the workplace. Soft skills and digital literacy are closely linked in the modern workplace due to the increasing reliance on digital technologies and tools for communication, collaboration, and productivity.

 

Digital Literacy complements soft skills in the workplace by providing the technical foundation and tools needed to communicate, collaborate, and innovate in digital environments. Soft skills and digital literacy are closely linked in the modern workplace due to the increasing reliance on digital technologies and tools for communication, collaboration, and productivity. Soft skills enhance digital literacy by promoting effective communication, teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability, time management, leadership, emotional intelligence, creativity, conflict resolution, and networking in the context of digital technologies and workflows. Together, digital literacy and soft skills empower individuals to thrive in the dynamic and interconnected landscape of the modern workplace. Today's workplace features many options for remote and hybrid work arrangements, and it is impossible to display soft skills without digital tools (Acosta, 2022).

 

Table 1 presents definitions of selected soft skills in the lefthand column and the ways digital literacy facilitates the expression of soft skills in the digital environment in the righthand column.

 

Soft Skills Defined	Links with Digital Literacy
Communication
Ability to articulate ideas clearly, listen actively, and convey information effectively through verbal, written non-verbal communication.	Digital literacy enhances communication by enabling individuals to use various digital communication platforms such as email, video conferencing, instant messaging, and social media. Soft skills like clarity, conciseness, and active listening are crucial for effective digital communication, ensuring messages are understood and relationships are maintained.
Teamwork
Capacity to collaborate with others, contribute ideas, and work effectively as part of a team towards common goals. This includes being able to compromise, resolve conflicts, and support team members.	Digital literacy facilitates virtual teamwork by enabling team members to collaborate regardless of geographical locations through online project management tools, shared documents, and collaborative platforms. Soft skills like adaptability, collaboration, and empathy are essential for effective virtual teamwork, fostering a sense of camaraderie and mutual support among team members.
Problem-Solving
Ability to identify, analyze, and solve problems using critical thinking and creative thinking skills. This involves assessing situations, evaluating alternatives, and implementing effective solutions.	Digital literacy equips individuals with the technical skills needed to troubleshoot issues with software, hardware, or digital systems. Soft skills such as critical thinking, creativity, and persistence are vital for identifying causes of problems, exploring alternative solutions, and implementing effective problem-solving strategies in a digital environment.
Adaptability
Ability to adapt to changes in the workplace, including changes in responsibilities, procedures, technologies, or environments. Being adaptable involves being flexible, open-minded, and willing to learn new skills.	Digital literacy enables individuals to adapt to changes in technology, software updates, and new digital tools used in the workplace. Soft skills like flexibility, openness to learning, and resilience are essential for embracing technological advancements and adjusting to evolving digital landscapes in the workplace.
Time Management
Skill to prioritize tasks, manage workload efficiently, and meet deadlines effectively. This involves setting goals, organizing work schedules, and allocating time appropriately to different tasks and projects.	Digital literacy empowers individuals to use productivity tools, calendars, task managers, and automation features to optimize time management and prioritize tasks efficiently. Soft skills such as organization, self-discipline, and prioritization are crucial for managing digital workflows, setting realistic goals, and meeting deadlines effectively.
Creativity
Ability to think innovatively, generate new ideas, and approach problems from different perspectives. Creativity involves being curious, experimenting with new approaches, and being willing to take risks.	Digital literacy fosters creativity by providing individuals with access to digital content creation tools, multimedia platforms, and online communities for sharing ideas and feedback. Soft skills such as curiosity, experimentation, and risk-taking are essential for exploring new digital mediums, expressing ideas innovatively, and collaborating on creative projects.
Conflict Resolution
Skills needed to address conflicts constructively, facilitate discussions, and negotiate solutions that satisfy all parties involved. Conflict resolution involves active listening, empathy, and communication skills.	Digital literacy supports conflict resolution by providing individuals with effective communication channels and mediation tools for addressing misunderstandings and resolving disputes in virtual environments. Soft skills such as negotiation, diplomacy, and compromise are vital for navigating conflicts, finding common ground, and restoring trust in digital interactions.
Networking
Ability to build and maintain professional relationships with colleagues, clients, and contacts within and outside the organization. Networking involves effective communication, mutual respect, and a willingness to collaborate and share resources.	Digital literacy expands networking opportunities by enabling individuals to connect with peers, mentors, and industry professionals through social networking sites, professional forums, and virtual events. Soft skills such as communication, relationship-building, and reciprocity are essential for cultivating meaningful connections, sharing expertise, and leveraging digital networks for career advancement.

 

Acosta (2022) states we are “witnessing the rise of a new set of digital soft skills that will become ever more important as engaging digitally becomes the norm. The earlier people master these new skills, the better prepared they will be for the future” (para. 4). Ferreira et al. (2023) indicate that soft skills will be primary determinants of success for individuals during their careers. The digital transformation being experienced around the world bears major implications for both employers and employees as reskilling and upskilling will be needed for employers to develop the hard, soft, and digital literacy skills to thrive in the current workplace.

 

References

Acosta, M. (2022, November 29). Hybrid working: Why your company should embrace digital soft skills. World Economic Forum. Available https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/11/hybrid-working-digital-soft-skills/

 Bessen, J. (2014, August 25). Employers aren’t just whining – the “skills gap” is real. Harvard Business Review. Available https://hbr.org/2014/08/employers-arent-just-whining-the-skills-gap-is-real

 Ferreira, C., Robertson, J., & Pitt, L. (2023). Business (un)usual: Critical skills for the next normal. Thunderbird International Business Review, 65(1), 39–47. https://doi-org.lynx.lib.usm.edu/10.1002/tie.22276

National Soft Skills Association (n.d.) The real skills gap. Available https://www.nationalsoftskills.org/the-real-skills-gap/#:~:text=Research%20conducted%20by%20Harvard%20University,and%20knowledge%20(hard%20skills).

Ready-to-Use Digital Literacy Resources for Lesson Planning

 

This blog post reviews digital literacy resources for planning lessons. The great news is that you don’t have to be a technology expert or start from scratch to develop lessons because digital literacy experts and educators have already developed and shared lessons that you can implement in your teaching.

The following table contains resources sharing developed lessons, curriculum, and online courses with detailed instructions. Hyperlinks for each resource can be accessed in the left hand column.

Free Resources
Resource	Description
Google Applied Digital Skills	Applied Digital Skills with Google provides free, accessible lessons on varied topics that can be filtered by google tool, topic, and type of learner (elementary/middle/high school students and adult learners). Lessons range from 45 minutes to 9 hours. Each lesson is taught through self-paced, step-by-step videos that reduce the pressure on teachers to be technology experts. By the end of each video, learners will have completed an engaging project that teaches important digital skills through relatable content. This site intersects with Google.com and Google. Classroom. The site provides certificates of completion that learners can add to their résumé.
DART	The Digital Access and Resilience in Texas (DART) curriculum integrates beginning English language learning with foundational digital skills. The curriculum is intended to supplement existing English language instruction in lower-level adult English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. The DART curriculum contains 20 lessons that provide the foundation that lower-level English language learners need to recognize and type the wide variety of characters required for most online passwords.
DigitalLearn.org	Digital Learn offers digital literacy resources and training modules designed to help individuals acquire essential digital skills including computer use, internet navigation, email etiquette, online safety, and using productivity software like Microsoft Office programs. Aims to bridge the digital divide by providing accessible and user-friendly learning materials that cater to individuals with varying levels of digital proficiency.
GFCGlobal	GCF Global offers self-paced online courses organized by the following categories: Computers, The Job Search, Creativity and Design, Microsoft Office, the Internet, Core Skills, Google, and Skills for Today. Its lessons address more than 200 topics, including more than 2,300 lessons, more than 2,000 videos, and more than 50 interactives and games.
Learning.com	Learning.com provides educators with solutions to prepare their students with critical digital skills. A web-based curriculum for grades K-12 engages students as they learn keyboarding, online safety, applied productivity tools, computational thinking, coding and more.
TechBoomers	Techboomers is a website that teaches older adults and other inexperienced Internet users about websites that can help improve their quality of life. Offers a large library of up-to-date information regarding the most popular and useful internet-based products. Beyond basic training, Techboomers works to empower older adults to become Internet experts within their personal networks in such a way that builds both their connections and their confidence with using technology.
Typing.com	Typing.com supports students in learning keyboarding skills necessary to achieve digital literacy. Also provides limited lessons on digital literacy.
Paid Resource
Resource	Description
Northstar	Northstar Digital Literacy gives subscribing organizations the ability to increase access to digital equity by providing constituents with tools to master the digital skills needed to work, learn, and participate fully in daily life.

 

References

• Applied Digital Skills with Google. Available https://applieddigitalskills.withgoogle.com/en/learn
• The Digital Access and Resilience in Texas (DART). Available https://tcall.tamu.edu/dart-DL-ESL-Curriculum.html
  
• DigitalLearn. Available https://training.digitallearn.org/
• GCFGlobal. Available https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/
  
• Learning.com. Available https://www.learning.com/
• Northstar Digital Literacy. Available https://www.digitalliteracyassessment.org/
• TechBoomers. Available https://techboomers.com/
• Typing. Available https://www.typing.com/

Digital and Workplace Literacies are Interrelated Skills

Image Credit: Getty Images

 

Employers require employees to have vital digital and workplace literacy skills, and they expect new employees to have developed these skills before being hired. Beyond basic computer skills, digital literacy encompasses using digital tools and technologies effectively. Christian (2022) indicates that it “means being able to work adaptably and strategically across tools, devices, and platforms” (para. 1). Individuals who lack these skills are in danger of being left behind.

 

This blog post (a) provides definitions of digital and workplace literacies, (b) explains how digitalization has permeated employment settings and activities, and (c) then describes how digital and workplace literacies are interrelated.  

 

Digital literacy means having the skills you need to live, learn, and work in a society where communication and access to information is increasingly mediated through digital technologies like internet platforms, social media, and mobile devices. Digital literacy involves a “spectrum of skills that run from operational (device use) to navigational (understanding structures) to informational (searching and interpreting) to strategic (meeting personally meaningful objectives)” (Oliver & Williams-Duncan, 2019, p. 123). Given the pervasiveness of digital tools in daily life, digital literacy has become a vital skill for seeking and maintaining employment.

 

Workplace literacy can be defined as skills employees need to be competent in work.

Given the twin industrial revolutions of digitalization and artificial intelligence, workplace literacy inextricably involves the skills needed to use digital tools efficiently to perform tasks, communicate effectively, and collaborate with colleagues. It also means that employees must be adaptable and willing to learn new skills. Digital and workplace literacies are closely intertwined in today's digital age, where technology permeates almost every aspect of work environments. Understanding their relationship helps individuals and organizations navigate the demands of modern workplaces effectively.

 

Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace

We are amid what has been called a fourth industrial revolution, referring to the digitalization of the workplace and the proliferation of artificial intelligence tools (Briggs et al., 2023). Digitization and digitalization may seem like interchangeable terms; however, digitization focuses on converting information into data, while digitalization is about developing processes and changing workflows to improve manual systems (Monton, 2022). Muro et al. (2017) state that “Digitalization is the process of employing digital technologies and information to transform business operations” (p. 5), a conversion so thorough that it continuously reorients work and daily life.  Muro et al. indicate that over the past 50 years, digital technologies are pervasive in most businesses and workplaces.

 

Digitalization is changing the skills needed to access economic opportunity. It has permeated most industries. For example, healthcare workers at all levels, from janitorial services to highly skilled surgeons to upper management, use digital technologies. Auto mechanics use laptops to diagnose car problems, and salespeople use cloud-based artificial intelligence applications to schedule meetings. These are only a few examples of how the workplace has changed.  Knowing how to use these digital and artificial intelligence tools has become a workforce requirement.

 

Employees and business owners must use multiple digital tools such as email, word processors, spreadsheets, project management software, and specialized industry-specific applications. Klassen (2019) reports that workers report the need to use multiple digital tools simultaneously and are often assigned multiple computer monitors so that they can organize digital tools to suit their needs. Employees report experiencing anxiety and information overload. Employees with lower literacy need help with non-linear reading tasks and may find the volume of information overwhelming.

Image credit: Tranmautritan, Pexels

Digital and Workplace Literacies

The influence of digitalization on work in our society has led to emergence of digital jobs. Therefore, digital and workplace literacies are interrelated. Seven skill categories for the digital workplace are suggested below.

 

1.     Information Management

Digital literacy includes skills related to finding, evaluating, and managing information online. In the workplace, employees need to be able to navigate through vast amounts of digital information to find relevant data for their tasks, projects, or decision-making processes. Workplace literacy involves understanding how to assess the credibility of online sources, manage digital files, and organize information effectively to enhance productivity and decision-making (Law et al., 2017; Vuorikari Rina, 2022).

 

2.     Communication and Collaboration

Digital literacy is essential for effective communication and collaboration in the workplace. This includes using email, instant messaging, video conferencing, and other digital communication tools to interact with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders. Workplace literacy extends beyond basic communication skills to encompass understanding digital etiquette, managing online meetings, and leveraging collaborative teamwork and knowledge-sharing platforms (Law et al., 2017; Vuorikari Rina, 2022).

 

3.     Problem-Solving

Digital literacy fosters problem-solving skills and adaptability in the workplace. Employees need to be able to troubleshoot technical issues, learn new digital tools and technologies quickly, and adapt to changing digital environments. Workplace literacy involves developing critical thinking skills to analyze problems, identify solutions, and leverage digital resources effectively to achieve organizational goals (Law et al., 2017; Vuorikari Rina, 2022).

 

4.     Data-Informed Decision Making

In today's data-driven workplaces, digital literacy includes understanding basic data concepts, interpreting data visualizations, and making data-informed decisions. Workplace literacy involves applying data analysis skills to extract insights from large datasets, create reports and presentations, and communicate findings to relevant stakeholders (Law et al., 2017; Vuorikari Rina, 2022).

 

5.     Cybersecurity and Privacy Management

Digital literacy encompasses knowledge of cybersecurity best practices and understanding privacy issues related to digital technologies. In the workplace, employees must be aware of cybersecurity threats such as phishing attacks, malware, and data breaches, and understand how to protect sensitive information and adhere to privacy regulations (Law et al., 2017; Vuorikari Rina, 2022).

 

6.     Artificial Intelligence Usage

AI technologies are becoming pervasive in many digital tools and platforms that individuals interact with daily. Understanding AI is thus becoming a crucial component of digital literacy. Users must comprehend how AI works, its capabilities, limitations, and ethical considerations to make informed decisions about its use.

 

7.    Lifelong Learning and Professional Development

Digital and workplace literacies are not static skills but require continuous learning and professional development. Employees must stay updated with evolving digital trends, acquire new digital skills, and adapt to emerging technologies to remain competitive (Law et al., 2017).

 

In summary, digital and workplace literacies are deeply intertwined, with digital skills playing a crucial role in enhancing productivity, communication, problem-solving, and adaptability in modern work environments. Organizations can foster a culture of continuous learning and provide training and development opportunities to empower employees with the digital and workplace literacy skills needed to succeed in today's digital economy.

 

References

Briggs, X. D., Johnson, C. C., & Katz, B. (2023, October 13). There’s an industrial revolution underway. Unless we act, it will make the racial wealth gap even worse. Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings. Retrieved https://www.brookings.edu/articles/theres-an-industrial-revolution-underway-unless-we-act-it-will-make-the-racial-wealth-gap-even-worse/

Christian, A. (2022, September 26). Why ‘digital literacy’ is now a workplace non-negotiable. BBC. Retrieved https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220923-why-digital-literacy-is-now-a-workplace-non-negotiable

Klassen, A. (2019). Deconstructing paper-lined cubicles: Digital literacy and information technology resources in the workplace. International Journal of Advanced Corporate Learning, 12(3), 5–13. https://doi-org.lynx.lib.usm.edu/10.3991/ijac.v12i3.11170

Law, N. W. Y., Woo, D. J., de la Torre, J., & Wong, K. W. G. (2018). A global framework of reference on digital literacy skills for indicator 4.4. 2.

Monton, A. (2022, March 2022). Difference and similarities: Digitization, digitalization, and digital transformation. Retrieved https://www.globalsign.com/en-sg/blog/difference-and-similarities-digitization-digitalization-and-digital-transformation#:~:text=While%20digitization%20focuses%20on%20converting,generate%20insights%20from%20their%20behaviour.

Muro, M., Liu, S., Whiton, J., & Kulkarni (2017, November). Digitalization and the American workforce. Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings. Retrieved https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/mpp_2017nov15_digitalization_full_report.pdf

Oliver, K. M., & Williams-Duncan, S. (2019). Faith leaders developing digital literacies: Demands and resources across career stages according to theological educators. Journal of Media Literacy Education, 11(2), 122–145. https://doi-org/10.23860/JMLE-2019-11-2-7

Vuorikari Rina, R., Kluzer, S., & Punie, Y. (2022). DigComp 2.2: The Digital Competence Framework for Citizens-With new examples of knowledge, skills and attitudes (No. JRC128415). Joint Research Centre (Seville site).