Category: career

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Microsoft Office Is Still A Force

A 2018 article in Medium suggested there could be as many as 800 million active Excel users. There are also over 100 million Google Sheets users worldwide. According to Statista, Microsoft Office (42.6%) is now in a competitive race with Google’s G Suite (56.9%) for new users.

Office 365 is used as the main productivity software by over one million companies worldwide. Close to 600,000 companies in the U.S. use this software suite. It is true that many startups and companies with predominantly younger employees now utilize G Suite. However, it is clear Redmond still has a clear stranglehold on the enterprise space. So while Sheets does deliver good value, Excel remains the gold standard.

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Upending The Workforce

 “This is the moment…when we should have a Marshall Plan for ourselves“
— David Autor, labor economist, M.I.T.

A recent article in the NY Times stated “Economists, business leaders and labor experts have warned for years that the coming wave of automation and digital technology would upend the workforce, destroying some jobs while altering how and where work is done for nearly everyone…the rapid change is leading to mounting demands for training programs for millions of workers.” Read more here: (NY Times, July 13, 2020).

If a company uses Microsoft Office, that means the HR team likely incorporates an Excel skills assessment test for certain positions. This is done to help ensure potential employees will be successful. So if you’re looking for a promotion or a new job such as one of these, you’d be wise to brush up on your productivity skills.

  • Data Entry Specialist
  • Business Analyst
  • Operations Manager
  • Sales Coordinator
  • Training Analyst
  • Cost Estimator
  • Administrative Assistant
  • Project Manager
  • Customer Service Specialist
  • Accounting Clerk
  • HR Coordinator

Whether you use them now or use them later, you will use them. The sooner you learn them, the more facile you’ll become. Ultimately, if you’re not being up-skilled or reskilled by your company, the responsibility is on you.

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Computer Skills To Compete In The Job Market

There has been a marked increase in the demand for baseline computer skills. This is especially true for employees with mid-level skills. The pandemic has made things even worse. The more proficient you are with productivity software, the greater the pathway to higher paying jobs. For workers without a college degree this is true more than ever. Microsoft Excel is the defacto standard for spreadsheets. It is used by a majority of companies for just about everything we all know, love and sometimes loathe.

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If You’re Over 50 and Looking For a Job in Today’s Job Market…

Looking for a new job or entering the job market can be a daunting task whether you’re a 21-year-old recent college graduate or 35-year-old professional in the prime of your career. When you’re over 50 years old and possibly out of the job market for a number of years, finding new employment can be downright overwhelming. Mature job seekers have a lot to offer employers, but they have to be prepared to present their best foot forward.

However, perhaps the biggest hurdle for mature job seekers is technology. Computer skills and knowledge of how to automate and maintain processes that were once done manually is critical. It’s a good idea to update your computer skills and learn more about online tools.

(Sourced from article in the Oakland Press (10/8/20). Graphic from SCEPA)

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How Many Jobs Will You Have In Your Career?

According to EdCast, the average professional today will hold over 12 different jobs across their career, a 3x increase compared to a mere decade ago. That means upskilling (learning current tasks more deeply) and re-skilling (learning new skills for a new position) are more critical than ever. MST is here to help you.

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What skills should all employees have?

There are universal skills you should look for in all employees. These skills are usually built over time. They provide workers with the foundation to progress through their career. Universal skills encompass core productivity skills like Excel as well as as well as soft skills like communications and work ethic.

Basic computer skills – It’s unreasonable to expect that every new employee comes in knowing how to code. However, they should be able to navigate a computer system, use email and word processing applications, and be a competent typist.

(Sourced from Valuable Skills You Should Look for in New Employees
By Kiely Kuligowski, business.com writer | Jun 23, 2020)

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Microsoft Digital Skills Initiative

On June 30th, Microsoft launched an initiative to help 25 million people acquire digital skills. As part of their announcement, they said “the pandemic has shined a harsh light on what was already a widening skills gap around the world – a gap that will need to be closed with even greater urgency to accelerate economic recovery. This longer-term disconnect between supply and demand for skills in the labor market appears to be driven (in part) by the growing need for technological acumen to compete in a changing commercial landscape. Navigating these challenges to close the skills gap will require a renewed partnership between stakeholders across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.”
Thank you Microsoft.