How to Find Your Next Big Tech Skill

As a tech professional, finding ways to keep your skills current is critical to your career success. Timing is surprisingly important, particularly when you are enhancing your capabilities so that you can make the most of emerging technologies.

If you acquire the skill too early, you might not find positions that allow you to use it. Additionally, there’s a chance that the technology won’t be widely adopted, meaning you may have dedicated your time and energy to something you’ll never use.

However, if you’re too late to the game, you might miss out on chances to further your career. You’ll end up facing more competition, causing the roles to be less lucrative and potentially less available.

Luckily, there are ways to figure out what your next big tech skill should be, allowing you to maximize your earning potential and make the most of your time. Here’s how to get started.

Follow Tech Thought Leaders and News

Usually, emerging technologies aren’t secrets. As soon as something has potential, word spreads quickly. By following tech thought leaders on social media, subscribing to news sites, and taking similar actions, you can find out about topics that are piquing everyone’s interest, including details about emerging tech.

Not only will you learn about the technology that requires new skills, but you’ll also find out about its potential. That way, you can estimate its impact on the business world and determine if it makes sense to add any associated capabilities to your repertoire.

Become Investor Savvy

When technology has potential, investors usually flock to companies that will bring it to the market. Their goal is to capitalize on the value of the disruption and provide funding that can support the development and future delivery.

By monitoring how investors are treating an emerging technology (via the companies producing it), you can gain insights into its viability. If early adopters are satisfied and the buzz is increasing, there’s a decent chance the technology is worth keeping an eye on and could serve as a career booster if you pursue skills in that area. If investors start pulling away, it could indicate that not everything is as it seems.

Look for Mainstream Signs

Once a new technology starts working its way into the mainstream, opportunities usually begin to rise. At this point, it isn’t only early adopters who have bought into the idea. Instead, businesses that aren’t always at the forefront of the tech revolution are also giving it a fair shake too.

When this happens, the demand for skilled professionals can increase quickly. Typically, there won’t be enough people with the skillset to go around, marking an excellent time to increase your capabilities in that area to take advantage of the upswing.

Ultimately, by following the tips above, you can figure out your next big tech skill. If you’d like to learn more about how bolstering your skillset can lead to more opportunities, the team at The Squires Group can help. Contact us to speak with one of our recruiters today and see how our career planning expertise can benefit you.


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