Why are Pakistanis not able to land jobs in the tech industry?

Top Pakistani CEO's have a strong take on why locals of Pakistan are
not able to get employment in the growing tech industry worldwide.

They all pointed out that while everyone can develop technical skills and gain experience, the one thing that is missing is soft skills. 
YES, you heard that right! While everyone focuses on their tech driven aspects of mind they loose focus on development of  other hirable skills. 

You must be thinking that the issue lies in the global labor market only but I would like to mention here that even getting a job in the local tech market has become a hardcore challenge for people. So, we will be talking about Pakistani tech industry employment issues in jiffy.

Development of soft skills:

To start with, the biggest misunderstanding is that in order to get accepted for a job people assume that they need technical skills. Which is to some extent true but there is more to a job then this. 

Learning python, computer engineering etc is not enough for someone to enter the market. We need to learn how soft skills impact the tech job success in Pakistan.

The core task of tech industry is problem solving, where usage of technology is put into practicality in order to solve major problems for different industries, for example: the automotive industry, which is making use of self driving technology to transform their cars. 

And here when we talk about problem solving it doesn't only involve being in office in front of a computer with a GCU connection and hardcore programming all day and all night. 
It also involve working with people, leading subordinates and dealing with clients from all around the world. 

Soft skills help you collaborate effectively within a team, communicate with both technical and non-technical clients to solve real world business problems. 

Basic personality traits are observed being missing in Pakistani professionals in global tech industry, like: healthy communication, time management, punctuality and team work. 

And hence, as I have pointed out these skills its your job now to learn them, work on them and transform yourself to meet all basic skill requirements of most employers. 

1) Poor... very poor communication!

Majority of our tech professionals lack the ability to communicate effectively. And the main lacking is the inability to speak in English language...!

I know most of you would say that Urdu is our mother tongue and English is just some of the remaining shit that British left during independence...

But believe me the same shit is now ruling the professional world. You agree with me or not but English has become the formal language for all and neither you nor me can fight this. 

So it is essential for you to improve your command on a language that is used for communication in the professional circle worldwide. If you want to grow you will have to take English language skills with you or else... (you know)

And here, I am not just talking about verbal communication skills because writing skills go hand in hand.
Client is not available on call? Write him an email then...! So whether it is a matter of explaining a technical concept or just an invitation for a nice lunch effective communication is vital in all these tasks.

Unfortunately, many of our people write random emails with poor grammar and formatting, which often comes across as rude. They may have good intentions, but the way they communicate can create misunderstandings.

In 21st century, no one can make excuses as to why they are not able to learn these skills. Every course and so many learning platforms are available online for you to learn literally anything from any part of the world. 

So buckle up and make some good and effective use of internet, Instagram reels can wait!
I recommend watching videos by English speakers on YouTube, as they can provide you with a global perspective on how people communicate and what professional skills and ethics are valued worldwide.

1) Breakthrough engineering:

 Problem-solving means critically analyzing a situation and identifying solutions. Many candidates simply memorize and regurgitate information without truly understanding it.

In the age of AI, this approach will not work. You need to be a problem solver to succeed in the IT industry. Problem-solving requires analytical thinking so that you can break down complex issues and find step-by-step solutions.

This is not something which you or me are born with, it is an ability which is built through self-evaluation, experience and consistent learning.

I know this might sound daunting, but have confidence in yourself. Believe that you can understand things deeply and analyze them to build your analytical abilities. Look at how people around the world solve problems.

3) Adaptability and flexibility:

Taking an example of AI which has transformed the world at a pace that we never imagined of before. There is an unsaid race that the whole world is in, there is no destination, only the transforming race track and the parts of the globe flashing by. 

As Heraclitus said, "You cannot step in the same river twice". New languages, tools, and challenges are emerging all the time. New technology is emerging on almost daily basis which is way more effective and competitive and hence makes it a best choice for a business over you. Which is why if you don't adapt to changes and be flexible in terms of the skill and the type of environment you work in, you loose. New skills will emerge, and you can learn them without any issues. Stay flexible and master problem-solving. University students often excel in one domain or framework, becoming overconfident. When they enter the industry, they may say, “I’ve worked in this area of knowledge for four years; why should I work in something new?” The time for that area of specialization has passed. You need to lower your ego and be flexible. You can grow exponentially. If you can perform well in one domain, you can excel in newer things as well.

3) Team work is dream work:

This is a very cliched line but believe me it is seen to be very relatable in the type of work employers expect from you now. You cannot lock yourself in an office resting your butts on a comfortable revolving chair. 

Best type of work is done when you bring yourself out of this comfort zone. You cannot be your boss at all times, this "I know all" behavior only suits a freelance environment.

Remember, most IT projects, especially those that pay well and are enterprise-level, are team-based projects. You need to collaborate with designers, project managers, and sales teams.  

I’ve noticed that there is a growing ego in our industry, where people think, “Why should I work with someone else? Why should I collaborate?” Trust issues also arise, as everyone feels that others are out to cheat them.

You are a resource for the company and as an entrepreneur it is their job to combine all of the available resources for the best level collaborative work.

So, take the time to invest in your soft skills, and watch as your career flourishes. Thank you for reading, and I hope you found this discussion valuable.

Maew!!