Compare and contrast the two authors’ differing opinions regarding the steps needed to obtain your desired job and/or the most important workplace skills for success.

Question

Identify where the two articles/texts provide conflicting views or information and analyze whether you believe the conflicting information is based on fact or interpretation.

Cite any inferences that you draw from either/both texts on workplace skills necessary for success.

Be sure to cite any textual evidence that supports your claims, inferences, or thoughts on these two texts.

The Top Skills For The Modern Workplace

When you sift through the job postings across many job categories in a handful of industries, you find that certain skills are more in demand than others. Some of those are desirable in more than one industry, and some can lead to jobs with higher salaries.

We have a clearer picture of what those skills are, thanks to a recent study completed by Bentley University, a business school based in Waltham, Massachusetts.

According to Bentley’s study, certain skills – hybrid skills – are applicable to various types of jobs categories like marketing, HR, IT, etc. We built a gallery of the top 12 hybrid skills (see below) ranked by average salary.

These hybrid skills allow workers to be useful in different arenas and, according to the study, the most versatile ones to have are Business Development (which is used in 9 job categories), Oracle (9) and Mathematics (8).

Current job seekers would do well to tout their hybrid skills as they enter the workforce, said Susan Brennan, Associate VP of career services at Bentley. “At one time you could really thrive in the marketplace with the technical skills or you could go into a human resources role or even a career services role with the soft skills competencies,” she said. “But that no longer exists. We’re seeing this merging across functions and a requirement for job seekers to have these skills across a number of these functions.”

Data analysis is one of the more in-demand skills the study discovered. In the IT sector, openings for data-oriented positions increased 3,977% since 2011, with an average salary of more than $123,000 a year. But IT isn’t the only realm where it proves useful. “That’s one of the most common jobs that we see our graduates going into—some kind of analyst,” says Brennan. “That role could be in human resources and marketing. It’s really about taking that across any industry and function—being able to take data and make sense of it. It’s not really just for IT anymore.”

Some skills that were once considered specialized have now become mainstream, according to the Bentley University study. That change has led to a decrease in the amount of postings for positions that use those skills specifically. Postings for Social Media Strategists have fallen 64% in the last five years even though skills in the social media realm are coveted among HR, sales, marketing and PR positions.

Postings for Web Designers have decreased 8% in the same timeframe, though demand for such skills have gone up 11% in marketing and PR, and 8% in graphic design listings. Sales skills are seen 49% less in listings for business development executives, but are posted as a requirement 68% more often in postings for marketing and PR jobs and 29% more often for IT work.

In compiling its report, Bentley University employed labor-market focused data analytics firm, Burning Glass, which scanned through its database of 24.5 million current and historical job postings from nearly 40,000 jobs sites. The company extracted data from the listings, including job titles, skill requirements, requested credentials, salary, and the length of time postings remained open.

Important Business Skills for Workplace Success

What skills do you need for success in the business world? Possessing business skills means seeing the big picture of organizational and consumer behavior. It also means being aware of the needs of others and knowing what resources are available to meet those needs.

To be successful in a business role, you'll need more than technical and learned skills—a variety of soft and hard skills are essential for you to flourish in this field.

And, for those going into business as entrepreneurs, you'll also need the ability to plow through obstacles and see solutions where no one thought one was possible.

Business is the most popular undergraduate major in the United States in recent years. Marketing, selling, organizational strategy, and “crunching” numbers are all important parts of managing a business.

Business skills help people start a business and manage a single branch of a business. But it doesn’t stop there.

Passion and determination can go a long way, and those skills are proven over time. Organizations also look for candidates with hybrid (technical and non-technical) skills that can add value to the workplace in a variety of ways.

An entrepreneurial spirit, a community-oriented mindset, and a tendency toward innovation greatly benefit those seeking jobs in business.

Communication
To communicate effectively, you must be a good listener before being a good talker. Being in business means working with other people, both as a leader and as a subordinate. Both roles require humility, a civil attitude even under duress, and respect for the various needs at play.

You should be able to articulate your thoughts clearly, both in writing and in meetings. You should be comfortable speaking one-on-one or while public speaking.

Answer 1

The two texts present differing perspectives on the steps needed for job seekers to secure desirable positions and the essential workplace skills for success. The first article from Bentley University focuses primarily on the importance of hybrid skills—combining technical and non-technical abilities—across various job categories as critical for job seekers. The second article emphasizes a broader range of both hard and soft skills, including interpersonal skills, passion, and an entrepreneurial mindset, while also acknowledging the value of hybrid skills.

Points of Comparison

1. Focus on Hybrid Skills:

   • The Bentley article clearly identifies hybrid skills as being crucial in the current job market, stating that “current job seekers would do well to tout their hybrid skills as they enter the workforce.” It highlights the importance of skills like Business Development, Data Analysis, and Mathematics and argues that these adapt well across multiple job categories (Brennan).
   • Conversely, the second article acknowledges hybrid skills but expands the discussion to include soft skills and personal attributes such as passion, determination, and innovation. It asserts that success in business involves not just technical expertise but also the ability to work well with others, communicate effectively, and navigate challenges creatively.

2. Nature of Required Skills:

   • The Bentley article emphasizes the technical and analytical skills that have become essential for job seekers, particularly in a data-driven economy. The significant increase in demand for data analysis roles exemplifies this point.
   • On the other hand, the second article places heavier emphasis on interpersonal and communication skills, arguing that they are equally vital for achieving success in business. It points out that “being in business means working with other people,” stressing the importance of listening and articulating thoughts clearly.

Conflicting Information and Analysis

The core conflict between the two texts lies in their emphasis on particular skill sets. The Bentley article presents a more quantifiable and data-centric view, positioning hybrid skills within the context of labor market trends and analytical demands. Meanwhile, the second text, while recognizing technical skills, prioritizes interpersonal qualities and the mindset necessary for innovative thinking, thus encompassing a more holistic view of workplace success.

This disparity can be interpreted as a reflection of the broader trends in the job market. The Bentley article is grounded in data analytics, suggesting a more fact-based approach to identifying skills in demand. However, the second article leans towards interpretation by advocating for a more subjective understanding of success in the business world, which may vary by individual circumstances and specific job roles.

Inferences on Workplace Skills

From both texts, it is evident that a successful candidate in today's job market should possess a mix of technical and soft skills. The Bentley study emphasizes the necessity of hybrid skills, particularly in quantitative fields, while the second article reinforces that interpersonal skills and a proactive mindset are equally critical.

• Interpersonal Skills: As outlined in the second text, effective communication and an understanding of others’ needs play a fundamental role in workplace dynamics.
• Passion and Flexibility: The idea that passion and determination are essential components for navigating challenges speaks to the softer aspects of job success that may not be quantifiable, further highlighting potential pathways to success that extend beyond technical skills.

Conclusion

In summary, both articles provide valuable insights into the skills necessary for workplace success, but they do so from different angles. The Bentley article prioritizes measurable, hybrid skills aligned with market demand, while the second article advocates for broader interpersonal skills and a problem-solving mindset. Job seekers should aim to cultivate a balance between the two—embracing hybrid skill sets while also developing the soft skills that facilitate collaboration and innovation in the workplace.