We live in a rapidly changing world. Technology offers convenience, efficiency, productivity, and the ability to communicate across oceans in real time without leaving home. We can run thriving businesses or do corporate jobs without ever seeing anyone in person. Technology has opened up a whole new world, and the future promises more innovation. But there is a dark side to all this progress.
We’ve lost the ability to think, figure things out, solve problems, and actually talk to each other in complete sentences while making eye contact.
Ever been purchasing something at a store and given the cashier an extra penny, nickel, or quarter AFTER they’ve keyed in your $20? Then you see that blank look on their face. We’ve lost the ability to do basic math in our heads and make change. Sad.
Ever been a passenger in a rental car with no back-up camera and a driver accustomed to having a back-up camera on their own car? Scary!
Ever lost your phone and tried to remember ANYONE’S phone number? Infuriating!
The skill taking the hardest hit is communication. In-person, live, make a connection type of communication. Awkward, unpolished, unprofessional communication can be witnessed everywhere—the workplace, the store, and sadly, even in schools. But there are few places where poor communication will hurt you more than in a job interview, whether face-to-face or over Zoom.
Sitting (or hiding) behind a keyboard gives people the luxury of time and the comfort of anonymity. Communication, in person, in the moment, does not. When you’re face to face with someone, there’s no place to hide and little time to think. And body language, well, that’s a whole different type of communication that you have to master in the face-to-face world.
When it comes to interviewing, hard skills will only take you so far. The ability to have a conversation, talk about yourself clearly and confidently, and relate to others will be a critical factor in your success, so don’t ignore opportunities to build your soft skills.
The only way to master something is to practice, practice, and practice more. That is, to just do it. If you have a job that allows you to work from home without having to make contact with anyone, find ways to get out. Network, join in, participate, and connect with real people in real-time.
No matter how much technology allows us to do “behind the curtain,” communication and connection will remain a critical part of life both at home and in the workplace.