(2) Job Description
Graphic Design- Skillsets
Computer fluency in Mac and PC Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles Typography knowledge Multimedia content development Media production, communication, and dissemination techniques Understanding browser capabilities Creativity and originality Fluency of ideas Attention to detail Adaptability, flexibility Client facing communication Teamwork Organization, ability to juggle multiple projects Self directed
Information Architect- Software Proficiency
Visio Omnigraffle Adobe Illustrator Microsoft Excel Wireframing Tools PowerMapper SmartDraw
Graphic Designer- Basic Description
-Art makes you feel something; design makes you do something. A great Graphic Designer combines brand standards, color theory, graphic elements, and typography to make audiences do both. Getting graphic design jobs requires a strong background in design theory, hands-on skills in the latest version of Adobe Creative Suite, and a portfolio that spans various styles and industries. This job differs from that of a Web Designer. -Graphic designers create visual text and imagery concepts, by hand or using computer software, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, or captivate consumers. They develop the overall layout and production design for advertisements, brochures, magazines, and corporate reports, etc. Graphic Designers design (or create) graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, logos, or imagery for print and digital uses including banner ads, social media posts, website graphics, magazine advertorials, etc. They will use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects and often select the type, font, size, color, and line length of headlines, headings, and text. Graphic designers also decide how images and text work together in a specific layout. They will collaborate closely with Copywriters. They can transform statistical data into visual graphics and diagrams, often creating infographics, which can make complex ideas more accessible. Graphic design is important in the sales and marketing of products, and is a critical component of brochures and logos. Therefore, graphic designers, also referred to as graphic artists or communication designers, often work closely with people in advertising and promotions, public relations, and marketing. Frequently, designers specialize in a particular category or type of client. For example, some create the graphics used in packaging for various types of retail products, while others may work on the visual design used on a book jacket. Truity.com Graphic designers need to keep up to date with the latest software and computer technologies to remain competitive and may be employed on a freelance basis, hired in-house, or working within an agency. Employment of graphic designers is projected to grow 7% from 2012 to 2022 according to Truity.com.
Email Marketing Manager- Software Proficiency
-Email Marketing Managers must know email marketing platforms such as Mailchimp, GetResponse, CakeMail, MadMini, Hubspot, Constant Contact - and more. They must know content management systems and Google Analytics or other marketing analysis platforms. Also, understanding project management tools such as Jira or Basecamp could be very helpful as well. If they know some HTML/CSS or have some experience in A/B testing, that could be a positive and an understanding of databases such as Salesforce is also important. The email marketing manager typically has an undergraduate degree in marketing, communications, advertising, or project management, or even computer science.
Engagement Specialist- Basic Description
-Engagement Specialists can be tasked with many different roles: There are Engagement Specialists in nonprofits tasked with engaging members toward the success of an organizational campaign or mission There are Engagement Specialists focused on finding new talent for Human Resources to hire There are Engagement Specialists that manage the company-client relationship There are Engagement Specialists that work hard to keep employee morale high and workers productive Basically, there are all kinds of jobs for Engagement Specialists and really, the only thing that connects all of these roles together, of course, is the term "engagement" in the job title. The Free Dictionary defines the word "engage" as: to attract and hold the attention of; engross; to win over or attract; to interlock or cause to interlock; mesh. Whether the audience is a member, a client, or a candidate, the goal of the Engagement Specialist is to engage them in the success of the enterprise. Here are the skills and duties of an Engagement Specialist. WHAT DOES AN ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST DO? An Engagement Specialist is responsible for bringing two target audiences together in a better relationship. This could mean serving as a Membership Engagement Manager, whose primary responsibility is to successfully manage the relationship between the dues-paying members or volunteers in an organization and the organization's mission and purpose. Or, it could require working as a representative of a company, engaging with job applicants and in the marketplace, in order to build the goodwill that attracts top talent. There are Engagement Specialists working to improve client relationships within a corporate setting. Their job is to reduce client churn, while possibly upselling new services to existing clients. Engagement Specialists also work on large client projects where the success of their company's deliverable depends on the buy-in of all client stakeholders. In a business, the Engagement Specialist may be working actively to help positively influence corporate culture and to ultimately retain talent. The work of an Engagement Specialist in any of these roles requires the ability to influence the experience of the target audience. The role may include troubleshooting any problems between the target audience and the sponsoring organization. The Engagement Specialist must work to understand the unique perspective of the target audience, and their wants, needs, and priorities, in order to improve their interaction with the company or organization. The role typically requires the development of an engagement plan that could include activities designed to build these relationships. The role may also require service delivery, and budget or project management. They may handle billing or invoicing or even work with HR to develop employee engagement programs. Typically, they must identify potential partners in these endeavors. They may spend time educating a target population or coordinate activities to reach this target audience. The Engagement Specialist will identify and utilize tools designed to improve the relationship between provider and audience. They will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams. They may also analyze data to determine which audience engagement techniques are succeeding and which ones need to be revamped. This work may require travel off-site, and it usually requires a lot of client-facing (or candidate-facing) time.
Editor/proofreader- Basic Description
-If you want to drive an Editor/Proofreader to distraction, fill your content with typos, wordiness and corporate jargon. It's often assumed that these two roles are the same. And, in fact, the skills required are similar. However, a Proofreader searches your content for misspellings of words and punctuation inaccuracies while an Editor seeks to improve content by improving its flow and readability. Can you find a resource that has the soul of a content writer with the 'nitpickiness' of a proofreader? Absolutely! But depending on the type and volume of work, you may also need specialists in each area. The Editor/Proofreader works with content writers to improve their performance. The content writers could be freelance or internal marketing teams, division heads or even your CEO. The content could stretch across digital mediums, or on paper, and it could encompass anything from a press release or blog to ad copy, a white paper, or a book. An Editor/Proofreader reviews content to make certain it is error free, clean, and concise. Their job is to make your business look smart while effectively communicating a particular message via the written word.
Illustrator- Basic Description
-If you're one of those people that loved coloring in kindergarten or doodling in high school, you may have a future as an Illustrator. Illustrators create still drawings for all kinds of venues, from newspapers, magazines, and books, to online ads, packaging, and even greeting cards. WHAT DOES AN ILLUSTRATOR DO? Illustrators sit around all day making commercial art, but they can work on a variety of projects or specialize in one area. Some of the types of illustrations these creative professionals may create could include medical art, graphic design for advertising, children's book art, and more. Are Illustrators Freelancers or Full-Time Employees? How Do They Work? It's rare to find an Illustrator in a full-time traditional role outside of an advertising agency or publishing house, but there are hundreds of freelance Illustrators just waiting to be commissioned. Freelance Illustrators build their client base project by project, expanding their portfolio while staying on top of the latest tools and technology and mixing both. Some of the types of projects Illustrators work on include: Book illustrations Book jackets Catalogs Computer games Diagrams for instruction manuals Film animation Giftware Greeting cards Magazines Newspapers Packaging Phone apps Posters Storyboards Training manuals T-shirts Websites Illustrators begin their design by working out the details of the project. This includes understanding the concept of the art and who the target audience is. If the Illustrator is freelance, they'll talk about payment; both full- and part-time Illustrators must understand their deadlines for the work ahead. Many times they will mock up the image before working on it and seek approval from the stakeholder on the project. This usually necessitates going to and from the drawing board to work out their ideas with the client. An Illustrator may also work with software to create the artwork or to scan in their sketches and then color and refine the finished product. They may work in black and white or color and with or without computers, and with paint, pencils, or other drawing tools.
Engagement Specialist- Skillsets
-No matter the specifics of the job description or the organization that employs the Engagement Specialist, there are some characteristics required by the job. They include: Creativity in developing programs and methods for engaging an audience toward the success of a goal Relationship-building skills with business leaders, the community, and the target audience of employees, clients, or others Organizing, including the ability to manage multiple projects and tasks simultaneously Empathy, using skills that allow the Engagement Specialist to determine what is most important to their target audience, and then working to deliver on an organizational promise Engaging, having a natural like of people, a knack for leading, and sales skills that help engage others in goals Engagement Specialists should also be... Interested in learning new things Flexible, dynamic, and engaging, with strong interpersonal skills A team player with the ability to forge new partnerships that bridge people and organizations Able to prioritize under deadline pressure Responsive to requests from clients, employees, or management Experts in delivering outcomes, achieving goals, and solving problems Strong communicators with skills in writing and public speaking Excellent with time and task management skills Able to work independently Able to see the big picture as well as the small details Engagement Specialists are, first and foremost, engaging. They are the kind of people other people like having around. They are the people pleasers that, just like Tom Sawyer, can get other people to paint a fence and enjoy doing the work. Depending on the role, they may even need to be proficient in marketing engagement techniques designed to connect with an audience.
Engagement Specialist- Software Proficiency
-The Engagement Manager should be familiar with social media platforms. They should also understand content and customer relationship management suites. Of course, they should know the Microsoft suite of products, including PowerPoint or Keynote, which would be important for presentations. Knowledge of Skype or other video conferencing services, as well as project management software such as Basecamp or Trello, would be helpful.
Digital Marketing Manager- Basic Description
-The title "Digital Marketing Manager" is a new one, although the skills needed to do the job are as old as the internet. That's because digital marketing managers take charge of a company's online promotional efforts. If it's digital, these marketing managers know it, love it, and have mastered it to the nth gigabyte. That makes these Marketing Managers very, very valuable; at least until the Internet breaks. Depending on the size of the company, the Digital Marketing Manager may work alone or with a team. These professionals are tasked with developing an online strategy for promoting a business, product, or service to an audience of consumers. Digital marketing encompasses a variety of online promotional channels, including: ContentContent is anything written online, such as blogs, white papers or ebooks, case studies, lists, or other text. But it could also be advertising, video or podcasts, webinars, infographics, memes, and more. While they may have other staffers draft some of this content, the Digital Marketing Manager knows what online channels will highlight the work to reap the maximum ROI. EmailWe use email every day as a communication tool. The digital marketing manager knows how to create concise, yet compelling emails that snag the attention of an online target audience. MobileDigital Marketing Managers try to stay ahead of the latest mobile technology and can spot trends faster than you can say "5G." Digital Marketing Managers understand the latest techniques for responsive web design and know when Google will adjust their search algorithms toward a mobile-first strategy - and respond appropriately. SEOSearch engine optimization is a complex subspecialty area of the Digital Marketing Manager. SEO changes frequently but is absolutely crucial for keeping a website noticed online. Staying on top of what works (today) is a job onto itself. Social MediaDigital Marketing Managers specialize in helping a brand rise above the social noise - which is considerable. Knowing which social channels to use and what to promote is all in a day's work for a Digital Marketing Manager. The Digital Marketing Manager is both a jack of all (digital) trades and a master of one (the Internet). They are online constantly and honing their expertise, not only the digital environment itself but also the tools needed to monitor it.
Editor/proofreader- Skillsets
-There are four primary qualities needed for an Editor/Proofreader: Reading comprehension English (or other language) skills Attention to detail People skills Editor/Proofreaders read and review content, so their ability to comprehend the written word must be exceptional. They understand the rules of grammar and punctuation and are meticulous with a keen eye for the smallest details. They are inter-departmental collaborators and work well under multiple deadlines. They are skilled listeners who can tactfully communicate errors, all the way up to the c-suite. If content is King in the marketing world, then your Editor/Proofreader is actually the real power behind the throne. If you're seeking content for your business, the buck stops with your Editor/Proofreader, who will provide an invaluable service: Assuring your content is accurate and well written enough for public consumption.
Editor/proofreader- Software Proficiency
-There is software for writers and proofreaders on the market today. While an Editor/Proofreader is likely to primarily use the Microsoft Office suite, it is also possible they will utilize some of these platforms: After the Deadline Editor Ginger Google Docs Grammarly
Human Resources Manager- Software Proficiency
A Human Resources Manager spends a lot of time documenting HR information and sharing it with teams. Virtually all of the tools they use are digital and imperative to the job. Regulatory laws require documentation of every HR encounter. Human Resources Managers may handle one system for payroll and another for benefits management. There are also employee engagement tools on the market today. Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are useful for recruitment and hiring. You can use them to post jobs, update your careers page, or conduct interviews. These platforms automate emails, texts, interview scheduling, and more to cut down your workload. This may be different from the talent management software (TMS) that typically handles hiring, onboarding, training, and retention. Most Human Resources Managers use some sort of human resources information software (HRIS) to help streamline tasks such as new hire paperwork, payroll, or document management. They may use a corporate instant messaging platform and certainly will need to know the standard Microsoft set of office tools like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. They should also have proficiency in social media platforms like LinkedIn for recruitment or Facebook and Instagram to attract candidates or research applicants. Generally, Human Resources Managers should be comfortable with cloud-based technologies to help centralize data and functions across an organization. The software tools used by these professionals generally depend on their job functions and the size of the company.
Email Marketing Manager- Basic Descriptions
According to Statista, last year there were 3.7 billion people worldwide using email as a tool to communicate. By 2021, the number of users will expand to 4.1 billion. Every day, human beings send and receive more than 269 billion emails on our phones and laptop and desktop computers. The world is filled with emails, and it takes a professional to manage all this activity. Thankfully, there are Email Marketing Managers that enjoy the job. Email Marketing Managers create, implement, track, and analyze email campaigns. Companies use email campaigns to do everything from selling products and services to helping with customer service and sending out subscriber information - and so much more. WHAT DOES AN EMAIL MARKETING MANAGER DO? Email Marketing Managers handle things like newsletter signups or landing page downloads. Just think about all the emails you've received over the last few months and you'll understand the variety of topics that an Email Manager may be responsible for. To create an email marketing campaign, these professionals must be fairly database-savvy. They should have a strategy for reaching a target audience that shapes the emails they develop. They should also have a distribution strategy for when and where the campaign will go out, along with what messaging will resonate. The goal is usually to convert these emails to some sort of action. This could include a sign-up, a purchase, registration, or just simply having the target open the email and read it. Generally, the Email Marketing Manager is tasked with bringing on more people or selling more products. Or, their job may be to build brand awareness or create customer relationships over a long-term lifecycle designed to bring more sales over time. The email marketing manager also handles email returns and helps ensure that the database of email leads is thoroughly cleansed or corrected at the end of every campaign. In their quest for crafting and sending the perfect email, the email marketing manager works with a variety of professionals across an organization, including: Marketing Managers Corporate leadership Web Designers Graphic Designers Analysts Content Managers Department leaders Third-party vendors Email Marketers must have the patience to test things like the subject line, or whether the email should be personalized in some way. All of these things can affect the email open rate. In fact, the Email Marketing Manager must be fairly obsessed with the open rate. They also must know things like the best time of day to send an email, or if a shorter subject line is better than a longer one. These things may change by audience, which makes the job even more challenging. No matter the goal, it's a tough job at a time when we are all saturated with digital inquiries. The data and metrics on the email campaign are tracked rigorously, but the Email Marketing Manager always finds a way to rise to the top of the heap.
Graphic Design- Software Proficiency
Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop Adobe Creative Suite: Illustrator Adobe Creative Suite: InDesign Adobe Freehand Adobe After Effects Autodesk AutoCAD Software CAAD Software Microsoft Publisher Microsoft Visto QuarkPress Corel and CorelDraw Graphic Suite Apple Final Cut Pro
Email Marketing Manager- Skillsets
An Email Marketing Manager must certainly know their audience better than anyone else in the company. They also must understand the goal of the email campaign. Email Managers must have an instinctive grasp of language that is short, punchy, and interesting enough to get the attention of that target audience and they must be extremely good at collaboration; they may work with a Content Copywriter to draft the actual email content, and a Graphic Designer and/or Developer to create a graphic within the email. Additionally, an Email Manager must understand that the email should be responsive, meaning that it can be viewed properly on any digital screen. This usually requires extensive testing of the email campaign before it is launched. Some of the skills found in a competent Email Marketer include: Marketing savvy - they must know what language will resonate with an audience Attention to detail - to be certain there are no mistakes in the copy Writing competency - especially if they are crafting the email or newsletter Analytical mind - they must be able to determine what worked - or what didn't - by reviewing the data Understanding best practices or industry-related compliance laws Expertise in SEO or SEM Understanding of a variety of analytical tools Excellent communication skills Organized project management skills Good with software, including data analytics Coolness under deadline pressure Email Professionals work very closely with marketing and IT teams as well, so they must be patient and flexible team players in order to get the job done properly.
Illustrator- Skillsets
An Illustrator interacts with their customer, which could be an author or editor, or another designer. To do this well, Illustrators need a solid mix of skills that they can put to good use. A good Illustrator must be: Creative and imaginative with an eye for color, balance, and layout Able to create a drawing that expresses an idea or concept Excellent at drawing, sketching, and painting skills Solid on photography skills Familiar with IT and design software Great negotiators Producers of clean, crisp, eye-appealing designs Fluent with verbal and written communication skills Excellent at taking a concept and turning it into a graphic Great at problem-solving skills Patient and have emotional stability Adaptable enough to handle concept changes without getting frustrated Self-motivated Intensely focused Deadline-driven Visionary Able to see close detail and have good hand-eye coordination Savvy with solid artistic skills Depending on the specialty or project, the Illustrator may need an understanding of medicine or science or even how mechanical things work together. For example, if the Illustrator creates medical school textbook drawings, they may need to know human anatomy or understand some of the mechanics of cell structure. If they create dental textbook drawings, they'll need to know about oral hygiene or dental bone structure. Perhaps the Illustrator is working on flora and fauna; an understanding of botany would be important. Illustrators are first and foremost artists, although their art usually has a commercial flair. Most Illustrators specialize in one area and perfect their art by honing their skills. They should be interested in the visual arts and have a creative, inquisitive attitude toward each new project that keeps their ideas and attitudes fresh.
Information Architect- Basic Description
An Information Architect (sometimes called a "digital librarian") organizes complex systems of information so that users can find exactly what they're looking for—a docent of digital data, you could say. If you've ever been searching for info on a website and thought, "If I designed this, I would make this particular thing so much easier to find!" — then the Information Architect role could be your true calling. WHAT DOES THE INFORMATION ARCHITECT DO? An Information Architect's job is to help discover and articulate the "why" of a project. They will work directly with clients to ensure consistency and continuity in project design and execution and are responsible for website/user interface design and development, including layout, navigation, and flow, as well as developing IA documentation (site maps, navigation models, content models). The daily tasks of an Information Architect can include: User research Determining hierarchies of information and content flow Creating PDFs and spreadsheets in Visio, Omnigraffle, and Adobe Illustrator Delivering taxonomies and wireframes Basically, an Information Architect needs to understand a client's website requirements inside and out, and be able to organize content in such a way that will anticipate the end user's experience needs.
Digital Marketing Director- Skillsets
Digital Marketing Managers have a diverse array of skills in their portfolio. The best-performing ones have the following skills. They are... AnalyticalThe Digital Marketing Manager must know how to use the latest in digital business analytics tools. These web geeks must use the latest web-based tools to measure and optimize digital marketing campaigns. CommunicativeNot only do Digital Marketing Managers have to be able to communicate their vision and strategy to staff or other stakeholders in an organization, they may have to do a little client wrangling, depending on the role. That's why they must have solid written and verbal communication skills. They also must be savvy communicators across the digital stream. When communicating with an audience, the messaging must be tailored to fit them exactly, or the voice of the brand simply won't be heard. CreativeIncreasingly, to get any content on the web noticed, creative outside-the-box strategies must be applied. The Digital Marketing Manager must be creative in their approaches to digital campaigns, both in messaging and in the delivery mechanism. These approaches must never be trite, but always fresh, clever, and agile. EmpathicDeveloping a targeted audience persona requires the Digital Marketing Manager to put themselves in the place of that consumer in order to determine what voice, channel, and message will resonate. LeadershipThis talented professional is at the helm of successful digital marketing plans designed to drive consumer response. You better believe that they need strong leadership skills to pull these campaigns off successfully. The Digital Marketing Manager is a strong brand influencer and business growth leader. OrganizedDigital Marketing Managers should be able to track the implementation of the plans they've developed. The good news is there is a plethora of online software designed to help them accomplish this task. StrategicThe Digital Marketing Manager is responsible for developing the strategy behind the marketing effort. They must understand analytics as a tool to create actionable insight - and then must respond accordingly. Because the Internet happens constantly, this marketing professional must be prepared to shift course and respond to anything that happens in this fast-paced and sometimes-volatile environment. Digital Marketing Managers must plan, execute, analyze, and readjust to optimize the fickle mediums that fall within our online presence. Their job is challenging and as ever changing and the Internet itself.
Digital Marketing Director- Software Proficiency
Digital Marketing Managers have a diverse array of skills in their portfolio. The best-performing ones have the following skills. They are... AnalyticalThe Digital Marketing Manager must know how to use the latest in digital business analytics tools. These web geeks must use the latest web-based tools to measure and optimize digital marketing campaigns. CommunicativeNot only do Digital Marketing Managers have to be able to communicate their vision and strategy to staff or other stakeholders in an organization, they may have to do a little client wrangling, depending on the role. That's why they must have solid written and verbal communication skills. They also must be savvy communicators across the digital stream. When communicating with an audience, the messaging must be tailored to fit them exactly, or the voice of the brand simply won't be heard. CreativeIncreasingly, to get any content on the web noticed, creative outside-the-box strategies must be applied. The Digital Marketing Manager must be creative in their approaches to digital campaigns, both in messaging and in the delivery mechanism. These approaches must never be trite, but always fresh, clever, and agile. EmpathicDeveloping a targeted audience persona requires the Digital Marketing Manager to put themselves in the place of that consumer in order to determine what voice, channel, and message will resonate. LeadershipThis talented professional is at the helm of successful digital marketing plans designed to drive consumer response. You better believe that they need strong leadership skills to pull these campaigns off successfully. The Digital Marketing Manager is a strong brand influencer and business growth leader. OrganizedDigital Marketing Managers should be able to track the implementation of the plans they've developed. The good news is there is a plethora of online software designed to help them accomplish this task. StrategicThe Digital Marketing Manager is responsible for developing the strategy behind the marketing effort. They must understand analytics as a tool to create actionable insight - and then must respond accordingly. Because the Internet happens constantly, this marketing professional must be prepared to shift course and respond to anything that happens in this fast-paced and sometimes-volatile environment. Digital Marketing Managers must plan, execute, analyze, and readjust to optimize the fickle mediums that fall within our online presence. Their job is challenging and as ever changing and the Internet itself.
Digital Strategist- Basic Description
Digital Strategists understand all of the digital touch points that a consumer interacts with every day. Online marketing strategists create strategic advertising, communications, and marketing campaigns that use these touch points to their fullest effect, building a brand image across the digital space. Understanding how these pieces can come together is the true role of these experts. Determining how consumers use the Internet and what devices they utilize is a big part of this role. Then figuring out how to link all of these pieces together in a cohesive, coordinated process is the job of the Digital Strategist. While they may not be able to create the website HTML, online marketing strategists fully understand social media, content strategy, mobile technology, retail in-store - and more. Consider online marketing strategists as customer relationship managers vital to building any business or organization. They are true integrators and amplifiers of content strategy across the digital marketplace, surrounding the consumer with your 360-degree brand message.
Instructional Designer- Basic Description
Ever take an online course or training segment that made you immediately feel like a pro? You have an Instructional Designer to thank! We are living in a digital world, and more and more companies and educational institutions are looking for ways to present information to people in the digital arena. That's where an Instructional Designer steps in. An Instructional Designer is the virtual Mr. Miyagi that creates the straightforward, easy-to-use educational materials that effectively prime the designated users. Click, wax-on; click, wax-off. WHAT DOES AN INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNER DO? An Instructional Designer constructs training and user manuals that help a specific audience learn how to use software, hardware, Internet applications, phone apps, electronics manuals, and even wikis or blogs. They also create curriculums that guide users in the how-to of educational technology. The process can include trial-and-error development of online or written resources, product or methodology research, and end-user analysis.
Instructional Designer- Software Proficiency
Graphics tools like Snagit Photo editors like PhotoShopistockPhoto (or similar photo sourcing)Adobe Premier (for video editing)Macromedia FlashMicrosoft ExcelDreamweaverVisio Quid Interactive (A range of software created specifically for Instructional Design)
Human Resources Manager- Basic Description
Human Resources Managers take care of your company's most valuable assets: its people. Work simply will not get done without the workers behind the corporate name, so Human Resources Managers have a vitally important role in taking care of the people behind the business. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says Human Resources Managers "oversee the recruiting, interviewing, and hiring of new staff; consult with top executives on strategic planning; and serve as a link between an organization's management and its employees." The Human Resources Manager does all of these things and more. These professionals plan and implement policies governing humans in the workplace. They create the rules that keep corporations from running afoul of workplace regulations and create practices that help employees get along with each other. The Human Resources Manager is typically responsible for creating training programs on sensitive subjects like diversity or sexual harassment. Some of the duties of a Human Resources Manager include: Administrative tasks like updating job descriptions for company positions Recruiting functions including sourcing and interviewing, depending on the size of the company Organizing and conducting employee orientation and onboarding Documenting infractions, conducting reviews, and hiring and firing staff Building training and administrative materials like HR manuals or corporate policies for paid time off, vacation, dress code, and more Conducting activities designed to engage employees, whether training, staff surveys, or overseeing content on the corporate intranet Overseeing payroll, budgets, and pay structure revisions Coaching staff and management and handling employee grievances or corrective actions Managing the employee benefits program and making recommendations for improvements Maintaining compliance with state and federal labor laws, handling investigations, keeping records, and even representing the company at legal proceedings Attending continuing education workshops to keep skills sharp The Human Resources Manager handles all of these things at small companies, but in larger companies, could delegate some of these responsibilities to other team members. Or they could outsource specific areas like payroll or recruitment to third-party partners. Human resources management is one of the fastest growing fields today. The BLS says demand for these professionals will rise another 9% by 2024. What skills do these professionals need to stay at the top of their game in the coming years?
Information Architect- Skillsets
In order to be an Obi-Wan to a Luke Skywalker clientele, you will need to have a mastery over a wide range of programs and thinking styles. An Information Architect needs an eye for detail and a simultaneous focus on the big picture. While different clients will have different needs, they will always need an Obi-Wan to provide the techniques that will help them master the force—the website (sorry, lost in our Star Wars metaphor): Client-Facing Communication Understanding of User-Centered Design Concept Testing Critical Thinking Thought Leadership Card Sorting Advanced Computer Skills
Industrial Designer- Software Proficiency
Industrial Designers are good at sketching out schematics and ideas for how a particular product should look. Often these sketches are rendered in 3D software that takes a product idea and makes it concrete. An Industrial Designer should have skills in CAD software for 3D design or computer-aided industrial design (CAID) software, which tells the machines used in manufacturing how to build the product. Some of the other kinds of software that Industrial Designers use include: Industry-specific modeling software such as Autodesk Inventor, Autodesk Alias, Siemens NX, or Rhino There are also programs like TinkerCAD—this program is a great tool for CAD, particularly for beginners in the field For more advanced CAD: OpenSCAD, ImplicitCAD, or AutoCAD Blender and FreeCAD are open source programs for 3D models 123D Design is a free program that Industrial Designers often use SolidWorks is used for mechanical design Adobe Illustrator AutoCAD The best modeling software has built-in features that calculate materials as part of the design process, documentation features to communicate functional details of the design, and other features that make a complicated process simpler. The type of software used really depends upon the industry - and the industry standards. These programs are very expensive and sophisticated, but an Industrial Designer should know a few to stay current in the market. You'll find that each Industrial Designer has a few favorites - and, as you might imagine, preferences differ by the individual.
Industrial Designer- Skillsets
Industrial Designers are good at translating technical hardware into visually appealing consumer goods. They may do this by drafting creative ideas or creating prototypes or other visual models of a manufactured product. Their ultimate goal is usually to create an industrial design that maximizes the strengths of a particular product. To do this, an Industrial Designer looks at the materials used in production and the cost involved and makes suggestions for ways to improve the product. They collaborate with engineers, UI software developers, product developers, marketing analysts, and manufacturers to create items that are easy to use and visually appealing. Industrial Designers also have a hand in figuring out which features and benefits would sell a particular product and then provide input on marketing plans to highlight these attributes. Some Industrial Designers specialize in one field, such as healthcare equipment or consumer electronics, or furniture. What's tricky is to apply a company's branding to a product; an Industrial Designer spends a lot of time determining how the "look" of a company's brand should carry across a line of products. For example, Apple has a certain look tied to their phones, watches, and computers. If you put an Apple computer in a pile with a bunch of PCs, you could probably still spot the Mac. An Industrial Designer probably had a hand in the sleek branding that comes with their devices. -A knack for hardware, tools, and machines Practical, yet creative Meticulous attention to detail Able to concisely articulate a concept Good collaboration skills IT skills Original and imaginative Excellent at translating an idea into a design Good with computer software Comfortable in a manufacturing environment Great interpersonal skills Persuasive and logical Market savvy ‑- instinctively understands what sells Analytical and artistic Good at drawing/mechanical drafting Troubleshooting expert Industrial Designers must be good at problem-solving; they are also sometimes called upon to fix product deficiencies or tweak an existing product design to make it more "sellable."
Instructional Designer- Skillsets
Instructional Designers are technical and scientific writers, as well as graphic- and CAD-savvy. They are... Empirical in their design approach Generally organized Comfortable with technical and professional jargon Fascinated by new technology These Designers love tech and understanding how things work (especially true for complicated electronic components). In fact, they have a knack for communicating the complicated to the average layperson so that they can understand and utilize a tool, whether it's an online webinar or an eLearning course. Instructional Designers also understand the variety of ways that people learn, and are able to communicate content in a concise and coherent fashion.
Interaction Designer- Skillsets
Responsible for developing digitally interactive programs (including games, web platforms, or even a website shopping cart), Interaction Designers are: Computer-Centric Graphic-Oriented CAD-Savvy The best Interaction Designers live life in front of the screen, and they've been exposed to every interactive program known to human kind. They have great reading comprehension, and are methodical and systematic in their thought, writing, and design process. Interaction Designers are as comfortable with consumer research and behavior as they are working with apps and HTML. They can easily bridge the communication gap between human and machine by creating the code that guides user behavior on a computer screen.
Digital Strategist- Skillsets
The Digital Strategist must have wide knowledge of digital and other content delivery platforms. They excel at out-of-the-box thinking and are creative yet methodical in their approach at reaching specific market targets by using different digital mediums. They understand people and how they interact with digital media. They know what's hot in the digital world before anyone else does and they closely follow trends related to how consumers are accessing information. They often work with business teams to collaborate on marketing campaigns across all media outlets. They are interactive media pros, tactical in their approach to building brands and lengthening the customer loyalty cycle. They are skilled at brainstorming, deadline driven, organized and detail obsessed. They have excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Human Resources Manager- Skillsets
The Human Resources Manager needs skills in management and leadership, including managing competitive benefits packages, an understanding of the legal issues governing hiring, workers' compensation, employee rights, and more. Beyond understanding the legal ins and outs of people management, you'll also need skills in: Conflict resolution Patience and diplomacy Troubleshooting Strategic thinking Goal setting Multitasking Project management Time management The Human Resources Manager must also have a finely honed set of interpersonal qualities and skills in addition to analytical and problem-solving expertise. This means these professionals must have skills that include: A love of people Listening Communication Flexibility Critical thinking Reporting Data research Empathy Self-motivation Sense of humor Teamwork Trustworthiness Today's Human Resources Managers must be just as at home researching labor laws as they are counseling a troubled employee. In some ways, this may make them a purple unicorn, but first and foremost, these professionals capitalize on their knack for managing people.
Interaction Designer- Software Proficiency
The Interactive Designer's job is to be proficient with the creative tools needed to craft interactive apps for consumers. This could include experience with: Adobe Creative Suite 6 Master Collection for design Axure RP for prototypes Balsamiq Mockups for wireframing Dreamweaver for website design InVision for mobile and web prototyping Macromedia Flash for video Omingraffle a digital illustrator Patternry creates web interfaces Sketch design tool for the Mac Visio a digital idea organizer UXPin for wireframing and prototyping
Digital Strategist- Software Proficiency
The more tools a Digital Strategists has, the better. While they don't need to actually create a graphic design, they should understand the elements of design. They should be savvy web and social media navigators, so cloud knowledge is important. The Digital Strategist should have at least a novice skill level with: The Adobe suite The Microsoft suite Research and analytical tools Online social media Generally, in terms of software, the Digital Strategist should be a jack-of-all-trades - and a master of a few.
Interaction Designer- Basic Description
Thomas J. Watson, the visionary father of IBM, once said, "Good design is good business." An Interaction Designer puts that idea into practice by crafting a digital experience that is seamless and simple for all end users. Interaction Designers are software developers with a keen ability to put themselves in the shoes of the people they are designing for. Their focus on how humans interact with virtual environments, and their dedication to intuitive design, are characteristics that Watson himself would approve of.
Industrial Designer- Basic Description
When you combine manufactured items with creative design, you get an Industrial Designer, a creative professional with a unique skillset steeped in engineering and graphics. It turns out that our refrigerators and other household appliances, cars, or any other gadgets require an Industrial Designer to make them sleek, appealing, and user friendly. But it's more than that. Industrial Designers work closely with consumers to figure out what makes one product easier to use than another - and how a product design could keep a consumer coming back for more. It's a tricky job, but a good Industrial Designer can make a manufactured product "cool" or "sexy" enough to make you want to buy it. That makes these professionals in pretty high demand for manufacturing companies, retailers, engineering firms, and advertising agencies.
Illustrator- Software Proficiency
You've heard of Norman Rockwell. Some Illustrators today still don't use computers, but this is becoming increasingly rare. There are all kinds of software programs that Illustrators can use; normally, an Illustrator will find one or two and stick with their favorites. Some of the software that an Illustrator may use includes: Adobe Photoshop Adobe Illustrator Affinity Photo for iPad ArtRage 5 Autodesk SketchBook 8.4 Corel Painter 2018 CorelDRAW 2017 Inkscape 0.92 Moleskine Smart Writing SEt Today, Illustrators may use a graphics tablet, a piece of computer hardware designed specifically for these creative professionals. These tablets typically have a pen so the Illustrator can draw directly on the screen. There are also apps that can do everything from boosting your creativity to uploading pictures for editing, or even 3-D design. Conversely, the Illustrator may choose not to use any of these software programs, instead hoping to go old school with some paint or a set of pens and pencils. Over time, each Illustrator develops his or her own styles and specialty areas. Sometimes Graphic Designers share a similar skill set and vice versa.
