It’s 2022 and an industrial revolution is upon us! Now more than ever, sustainability issues and a surge in remote work arrangements triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic have reshaped how fashion professionals operate. Succeeding through these changes means sharpening up on existing skills and embracing new ones.

Here are some core skills that will be advantageous to fashion professionals in any given role to help you stand out to employers and navigate your career through 2022 and onward!

Digital and Technological Skills

With an increase in businesses transitioning to virtual operations, brushing up on basic technological skills and software knowledge is a key strategy to ensure you are up-to-date. Doing so will solidify yourself as an asset in your given role and offer you a competitive edge in the job market. Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, Google Workspace, Slack and Trello are fundamental programs that are often cited in job posting, but it never hurts to broaden your horizons to master these essentials beyond casual use.

Digital marketing skills, such as SEO, content marketing and e-commerce marketing, are useful in communication and marketing fashion roles. Adding these skills to your array of expertise could make you the candidate of choice amongst prospective employees. Additionally, social media is a big player in today’s fashion scene. Knowing how to manage social media for professional purposes is understanding the link between businesses, influencers and consumers. Acquire social media management skills to help businesses maximize reach and engagement. There’s no shortage of online resources to help you learn more about social media management.

When it comes to technology, things are forever evolving. The ‘Metaverse’, coined by Meta (formerly known as Facebook) is the next big thing! With the rise of augmented reality and virtual reality in our day-to-day lives, businesses are projected to put more effort into maintaining a presence within the online universe where real world people can work, try on products and communicate. The possibilities are endless – this is something worth being excited about immersing yourself in to get ahead of the curve.

Communication Skills

Storytelling is perhaps one of the most important brand communication skills right now. Companies that manage to convey their story visually in a concise yet impactful manner are subject to heightened global exposure and profitability.

Now that working from home is our new normal, it’s time to get really good at online communication, and we’re not just talking about emails! Video conferencing is the closest form of communication we have to the in-office work experience. It’s one thing to know how to connect to a video call, but to be knowledgeable in setting them up, screen-sharing, facilitating break-out rooms and troubleshooting in cases of technical difficulty are attractive skills for any employer these days. Do yourself, as well as your team and clients, a favour and learn the ins and outs of programs like Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet and Skype so you can make the most of them and stand out as communications master.

Networking is also your best friend in 2022. Technology has rendered us borderless, and now is the time to take advantage of this to grow your contact list and maintain life-long professional relationships. LinkedIn is still going strong and maximizing your profile and keeping it current is a key to networking success, especially these days when in-person events are less common.

Presentation skills are another must-have communication skill. Being able to deliver a presentation confidently and get a point across with compelling visual aids, supporting data and information is useful when pitching ideas or presenting a portfolio to the press, buyers, potential investors, your target audiences and more.

Research Skills

Today, things move quickly and it can be hard to keep up. Those who make research a habit will be able to monitor industry changes to strategize in anticipation of what is to come. You can use research to your advantage for competitive analysis, to learn more about consumer behaviours, find growth opportunities and so much more!

To conduct your research, you can read fashion trade publications like Retail Insider, The Future of Commerce and Vogue Business. You may also visit research databases and government statistics websites. Comp shopping and inspirational travel visits are equally great for industry trend analysis.

Crisis Management Skills

Finally, if there is anything that we have learned over the last two years, it’s that anything can happen at any time. Preparation is key when it comes to crisis management. No matter your role, experience or seniority, equipping yourself for unforeseen challenges is a best practice. Adaptability is a skill that is cultivated through awareness and flexibility.

We have to be attentive to know where potential threats may lie. It all comes back to staying informed through research, then subsequently identifying our options for recourse. Change is inevitable, it’s all about how we respond to it.

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Anita Hosanna is a freelance fashion stylist and creative consultant with a love for community, fashion journalism and fashion tech.

Featured Image: Adobe