6 Examples of Digital Technology Valued By Employers

What Do You Know About Digital Technology?

Do you remember when putting a mastery of Microsoft Word and Excel on your resume made you a quality candidate for hire? I do, because I did it! But those days are long gone and technology has evolved to a level where companies are demanding much more of the “tech nerd” in all of us.

What is valued now is the efficient use of newer digital technologies that have emerged (some listed below) in order to solve problems and accomplish goals, as well as an ability to adapt to and easily comprehend newer ones that arise. Being able to do this with little assistance is what will truly make you a quality candidate for hire, and tech ready!

Digital Technology Examples

1. Mobile

Have you ever misplaced your smartphone for a brief period of time and had a mini panic attack inside your head? Me too! It’s safe to say that these days our smart phones play a key role in our everyday lives because of all they can do.

Mobile technology is technology that goes where the user goes. It consists of portable two-way communications devices, computing devices, and the networking technology that connects them. Typically, that consists of internet-enabled devices like smartphones, tablets and watches. Having skills in mobile will provide your employer with the ability to beneficially exist in this extremely high traffic realm!

2. Cybersecurity

It’s a sad truth in today’s world, but the hackers are out there, and they have theft on their minds. Companies with an online presence have countless exposures that must be constantly monitored and protected. The financial ramifications of hackers being able to infiltrate your system could be dire.

Cybersecurity is the practice of defending computers, servers, mobile devices, electronic systems, networks, and data from malicious attacks. Needless to say, having these skills will make you a critical part of the team!

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of this year the projected job growth for employment within a cybersecurity analysts capacity placed Information Security Analysts in the lead with a 31% increase between 2019-2029.

Concurrently there are so many different types of information technology (IT) security within the cybersecurity umbrella that translates into a bevy of career pathways in which exploration is key to finding something that is, yes, in demand, but also complimentary to your skillset and meaningful to you.

3. Social Media

Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter provide a great opportunity for companies to market their products and services, build their brands, and attract customers. These platforms each offer their own unique avenues for doing just that. A familiarity and efficiency in utilizing these technologies can be of great value to an employer!

4. Search Engine Optimization

Also known as “SEO”, is the science of getting pages to rank higher on search engines such as Google or Bing. SEO involves researching content and keywords to find topics to write about that have a history of higher ranking interest reported by the search engine results page (SERP).

Other SEO variables heavily rely on calculated amounts of anchor text (the line of code in which keywords are placed for optimal SERP, such as title tags). When writing code, meta tags and meta descriptions aid significantly in the ability for a search engine to understand the content.

More than ever, SEO tactics are merging with User Interface (UI) Design and User Experience (UE) due to the growing sophistication of search engine algorithms. Hailing the attention of search engines is key, but so is factoring in aesthetically pleasing, easy-to-use website characteristics that will both bring in new traffic and encourage repeat use.

Strategizing link building to other relevant websites while also backlinking (hyperlinking text that will go from one page to another based on any relevant subcategories) to organically increase traffic and revenue. Any plan of action taken will need patience as SEO is treated as a long-term goal that entails monitorization of analytics, experimentation, and some good old fashioned luck!

If nobody can find your company online, is it really there? Just kidding! Yes it is, BUT you want your company to show up among the top results when people are searching for related keywords. Having the skills to make this a reality for your employer will go a long way!

5. Digital Design

Digital design is a general term that is more relevant now than ever before. Put simply, any kind of design that appears in a digital format (on an app or website), rather than in print (on a physical page), is considered digital design.

Given the amount of time that people spend navigating websites and mobile apps in order to get the information they seek, I would say that an ability to design graphics that attract the masses is significant!

6. Coding & Programming

Coding means using computer language to get the computer to behave as desired. You can think of a “coder” as someone who can translate human language into language a computer understands and will execute. A “programmer” creates intricate software programs.

The creation of these programs includes coding, debugging, testing and implementation of the code to create a complete program. In today’s world, with most organizations having company websites, applications, and other such coding needs, the ability to effectively integrate the desired functionality is a difference maker!

Being tech ready goes hand in hand with being career ready. Having an understanding of current and emerging technologies will only strengthen your case for hire. There are many options for those wanting to enhance their skills in these areas.

Reading guidebooks and researching online resources, such as blogs or videos and tutorials found on YouTube. And don’t forget to keep abreast of what is going on in today’s digital world.

“You’re gonna use digital technology in just about any thread of business that you’re involved in today...you’re a student for life, you have to be. You have to be willing to always be open to learning new things. And if you’re not, you’re not gonna be very successful, or your success is going to be limited.”

- Phil, Business Development Executive, The W2 Group
Major: Psychology (Bachelor), Administration (Masters)
College:Millersville University, Antioch University (MA)

Perhaps you might like to take an online or in-person course. There are many out there! Your school’s career center is a treasure trove of knowledge to inquire about any available resources you can utilize.

There are even free courses on sites like the Khan Academy. In addition to free courses, Udacity also offers purchase options for certifications to help build your credentials.

At the very least, you should make a point to increase the use of technology in your personal life. Whether that means increasing your presence online or finding a way to create a technology project around a passion of yours, you will benefit from the additional use and familiarity.

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