Goran Yerkovich
- Apr 27, 2020
- 4 min read

7 Essential Job Skills During a Pandemic: How to Show Your Value & Stay Employed.

Updated: May 3, 2020

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COVID-19 Dashboard by John Hopkins University - 4/27/2020

"I'm not sure if I'll have a job next week. There might be more job cuts. They're only keeping certain workers. Essential workers..."

These are the words I keep hearing from friends and family as the pandemic continues where we live in Canada, and from friends and family in the UK and Croatia. But what is an essential worker to any organization? Are you one?

How can you help show your value if you need the job you still have?

This article focuses on the a game of musical chairs already underway during this global pandemic.

Each chair represents a job.

And each job is under threat as citizens stay home globally.

Who keeps those jobs now depends on your value to the organization.

So here are my top seven essential job skills to help keep you employed and showing your value during the pandemic and recession or depression to likely follow.

7 Essential Job Skills to Master During a Pandemic

I've had a successful career in the business world for over 15 years now and I attribute much of that success to a few simple concepts broken down into seven essential elements. Pandemic or not, these skills will help you in your career, no matter your current position:

1. Be Highly Adaptable

The number one skill your boss wants right now is someone who is highly adaptable to any given situation. They want someone who has more than one skill. Someone who can wear more than one hat. Your manager wants to know they can count on you to get whatever is needed done, with a reduced team and less resources.

2. Be Highly Collaborative

Be someone who is easy to work with. Build your relationships. Appreciate them. Nurture them. They are your life line if you leave, and add to your effectiveness in getting things done while you have a job. Show your emotional intelligence demonstrating that as important as that deliverable is, the person you're working with is even more important.

3. Be Real. Be Authentic

If you are trying to be someone you are not it will show. Be real. Be you. It's ok to have different likes and opinions than others, just be respectful in how and what you say. You'll be valued more for your willingness to show the real authentic you.

4. Deliver Value Each Day - Like your job depends on it

Because maybe right now, it does. The quality and timeliness of your deliverables matter. Think like a consultant on a short term contract. Consultants know that they are measured in terms of the quality of their work on a daily and weekly basis. Take on this practice.

5. Be Part of the Solution. Not the Problem

Park your ego: Don't worry about being right. And provide creative solutions as options to get a job done. Don't put up your hand first to point out a problem without being able to offer a solution. And don't make life difficult on others because you might be having a bad day.

6. Be Self Starter. Work Your Ass Off.

Put in 110% during your shift. Start before everyone else. Stay late. And deliver deliver deliver. Even if you get a few steps wrong along the way, no one will question your dedication.

7. Show Patience. Keep Your Emotions in Check

I've worked with plenty of teammates demonstrating the majority of 1-6 listed above, but fail to show patience with their teams or employees or bosses. Your emotional well-being matters. And so does that of your team. In reality, it matters now more than ever. Patience is really just empathy in practice.

Until next time, stay strong, stay healthy, and thrive.

- Goran Yerkovich

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About the author - Goran Yerkovich is the founder of The-Inspired.com, an online magazine designed to help readers reach their personal goals. The-Inspired includes some of the best tools, tactics, and habits from the greatest minds of today and yesterday. Goran lives in the greater Vancouver area with his wife and two cats Kimchi and Kauai.

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