Hi Somay,

Skills you should develop are all relative to the position you are interested in pursuing.

For example, if you would want a position as a software engineer then it would be great to brush up in programming courses and polish them.

Usually too, job postings will state which skills they want a candidate to have so it would be a good guideline to what companies expect.

If it's all too overwhelming now, my suggestion is to look at which positions you are interested in applying for and look for common skill denominators between them and start honing these first. It also helps asking around from your peers or friends who are freshly employed and ask them their experiences or how they prepared when applying for work.

Hope I was able to provide enlightening advice and goodluck!

14 May, 2019 03:49

Hi,
I think renewal is very necessary. Renewal means continuous learning, in R&D, you always facing new technology, be eager to learn, feel curious about new things are important. Renewal is also about innovating, continuous improvement, always think about how we can do things better, make things differently, that kind of mindset could support you to develop fast.

The skill could be technical skills and soft skills.

For Technical skill, it very depends on which area you will work for, for example, if you work as R&D software engineer, generally software programing skill is the basic skill, if you work in HW area, you need have more HW knowledge. And especially in NOKIA, telecommunication technical knowledge/skill is important in the industry.

For non-technical skills are also very important. Problem solving capability, quick learning capability, communication and cooperation skills etc.

I recommend you to check detail external open positions and requirement, you can check the website, there are many job opportunities:
https://www.nokia.com/about-us/careers/our-opportunities/

26 July, 2019 08:40

Can you hire someone who doesn't have educational background?

07 September, 2019 11:50

Do you hire someone who doesn't have educational background?

07 September, 2019 11:52

Thanks
What kind of help can I get if I want to discuss my new generation technology or help with advice?

24 September, 2019 07:46

Raju, I suggest you join our Social Media discussions, get in touch with our experts and if possible, attend local events. Regards,

24 September, 2019 14:34

I know you have no open discussion in my country. Do you talk to anyone directly? For example, over the phone or in a quick message.

24 September, 2019 16:25

Raju, the best option is what I just recently suggested. Regards,

24 September, 2019 17:03

Hi Somay,

I agree that technical skills will vary depending on the position you're applying for and generally most important ones are listed in the job description. For an engineer it might be understanding of various programming languages, whereas a project manager will need to have experience in planning. These skills will help to do the job well.

However, what I personally learned over the years is that to be able to represent yourself well and be a strong team member 'soft' and interpersonal skills are very valuable.

In particular, being organized, able to understand the bigger picture and manage time well will help to be more productive and get more done. At the same time, being able to think outside the box, express your ideas and opinions clearly, as well as communicate openly and network with other colleagues will make you a very valuable contributor.

My advice would be to balance the time between activities that improve your technical skills and those that focus on communication and networking. For example, engaging in a debate club or taking up a writing class can be a great way to activate the non-technical part of life.

30 September, 2019 11:53

Hello Beatriz, my first advice to you is to have a clear understanding of what you want to do in your professional career, and become as good as you can be. Showing your goals and achievements is a great start. On the technical side, prepare yourself, keep learning every day and look for different ways to apply what you have learnt. Regards,

07 November, 2019 14:31

Thinking and acting beyond one's current role always. Continuously updating your knowledge in your business function, its position, and market developments; Look for the opportunity in every change you come across. These qualities shall help anyone to excel.

05 December, 2019 10:11

The mindset of learning continuously, being kind and thinking of the team and company as a whole instead of competing with others, and being willing to be involved in many different areas so that you meet lots of people and leave an impact.

15 May, 2020 07:22

I think that a positive attitude is one of the most important attributes in one person, caring about the others and showing that you're interested in their day to day (but don't be invasive). With these, you will stand out not only in your job but in your environment.
Have a great weekend!

15 May, 2020 23:00

Hi Somay,

Let me answer from the verification (testing) department technical point of view.

If you apply to positions such as "tester", "system verification engineer", "integration and verification" or "software verification" etc. (which mean you would like to work with our software and/or hardware) then I recommend following skills:
1. Telecommunication basis - if you are not familiar with that, I recommend the "LTE" channel on Youtube and the first 3 chapters of the "Leliwa signaling" book. Also, you can consider other chapters - this level of knowledge may be necessary at a later stage depending on the department you will enter and what tasks/features you will be responsible for. Based on that new knowledge, you can then ask yourself if you want to work in telecom because sooner or later you will have to deepen your knowledge.
2. Linux (command line) - lots of devices and virtual machines have Linux on board and testers/integration and verification specialists work with it.
3. Network (Cisco) - our laboratories are connected in a big network and LTE/5G technologies use IP addresses as well. Basic network configuration is a daily basis.
I can recommend a book Cisco CCNA 200-125, semester 1, and program Cisco Packet Tracer.
4. Programming skills - testers mostly use Python and Robot Framework
5. Testing basis - based on ISTQB

Nokia has recently also launched a 5G certification program, check it out: https://www.nokia.com/networks/training/5g/bell-labs/courses/

I cannot tell you what is most important and which level of knowledge is mandatory - it depends on the specific department. We have automation tests and manual ones. We have software departments where people don't touch real hardware, typical hardware departments, and of course lots of departments working with SW and HW as well.

But what I can say for sure - in Nokia, you can develop your skills. If you are on a basic level in some areas and during the interview you show that you want and are able to progress in these areas then the door is open.

Wishing you good luck! ;)

18 May, 2020 09:54

Curiosity, willingness, and perseverance. Curiosity because we need to understand everything around us. Willingness to go and discuss with people to understand their problems to be resolved with innovative solutions. Perseverance because most of our innovation projects are canceled or fail, only a few go to the end, this is the innovation funnel.

02 October, 2020 19:44

Hi, I think the most important value is endless curiosity and open mind. And if you are willing to listen all the different opinions you will excel greatly

15 October, 2020 10:06

Probably the most important is attitude: how willing are you to learn, to support colleagues, to do your utmost, to share your knowledge and skills and push for becoming better as a team? Recognize and appreciate your fellow colleagues, and be ready to collaborate with others if the task at hand is such. Show respect, be humble and have the drive to perform well. While we are strong on execution, we also care for each other. With a positive attitude you can excel.

19 October, 2020 06:50

#1 Know yourself. What is that excites and motivates you? If you can find a role that can take full advantage of your passions, then success and satisfaction should naturally follow. #2 Be curious and open to new ideas. Challenge yourself. The world is changing all the time and fast. Allow yourself to evolve and progress. This will keep you current and excited about what you do. #3 Find balance. Excellence is the long game and so work life balance is key to success.

20 October, 2020 12:36

The question you ask has no short answer; and I suppose that each person might supply different recommendations in response to your question. As it relates to workplace performance, excellence requires one to consistently put forth their best efforts, with integrity, in support of their organization’s most important goals. Some of the key qualities for someone to excel include being a team player, consistently holding yourself accountable to perform well, self-awareness to recognize and address your strengths and weakness, continuous learning and knowledge sharing mindset, and a willingness to ask questions and to fearlessly speak up in relevant ways. You must feel that the success of your colleagues is as important as your own. For your long-term workplace performance improvement, request your manager and organization to provide you with: (1) guidance/direction and relevant/frequent performance feedback, (2) effective tools and pertinent/accurate procedures, and (3) wanted incentives (both monetary and non-monetary incentives – such as professional development and career advancement opportunities) to help facilitate motivation to improve workplace performance. Too, assess your own performance gap, and require yourself to (1) takes the necessary steps (such as training and non-training performance improvement interventions) to help assure you gain and maintain the expected/needed knowledge and skills to excel, (2) honestly assess your capacity (i.e., aptitude and ability) to perform exceptionally, and (3) evaluate how well your personal motivators match available incentives. In summary, excelling in the workplace does not depend entirely on you. Your organization, and especially your first-line manager, also play crucial roles in supporting your efforts to be excellent.

21 October, 2020 20:19

Learn your craft well. Be confident in your "package." Differentiate your self from others (i.e. become a subject matter expert in a particular aspect of your job). Continue to learn on the job, as technical careers are always evolving.

02 March, 2021 22:41

In the technical field, it is absolutely important to have good communication skills. It is a crucial skill to dominate, so the concepts are not only in your head but you can explain clearly your thought process for colleagues to understand.

11 May, 2021 07:56

Hi; For technical / engineer position the basic interpersonal skills are necessary. Sometimes there are interpersonal skills trainings.
Further - line managers, project managers, architects - they plan, ask, delegate, execute and in case of this positions good skills are essential.

11 May, 2021 07:57

All very relevant and insightful answers above. Further, I would like to share what Nokia does and has to offer to a new employee. I will also add what is mostly required to excel in these roles.

As we may know, Nokia is largely a telecom infrastructure company selling telecom networks (including hardware, software and services) to communication service providers (like Verizon, Deutsche Telecom, Airtel) and enterprises (like Mining industry, factories, Airports). We are organised in few verticals (for the various products, like Mobile Networks, Fixed Networks, IP Networks, Core Networks) and few horizonal departments (like HR, Strategy, Marketing, IT, Real Estate, Finance).
The life cycle starts with product/solution/services being developed (R&D), Product meeting customer expectations (i.e. Product management), Product being offered (Tendering/Pre-Sales/Offer management/Bid Management), Product being sold (through Nokia Customer teams), Product being deployed in the field (Deployment and Care Services), Product being maintained in the customer network 24*7 error-free (Operations). Depending upon your competence, skills and interest, you could start in these areas (horizontals or verticals) and grow within Nokia.

Now, what can you do to prepare well. Focus on your identified area, and make relevant efforts. At an entry level, you are not expected to know so much in detail about these areas. Your fundamentals in technology should be strong. Similarly, you should have good soft-skills like learning mindset, open, flexible, collaborative, communication skills, eager to know more, problem-solving approach, analytical skills. At senior levels, e.g. in a customer team role, one is expected to develop relationship fast, build trust, existing rapport with key customers, excellent selling and negotiation skills, meet sales targets, able to understand customer needs and meet expectations through Nokia solutions and enhance customer experience.

Hope this is useful, happy to expand upon any area depending upon your interest.

22 January, 2022 02:37

I would like to add that being ready to change (often), being resilient and flexible, happy to unlearn, being collaborative and happy to embrace diversity of people and ideas would definitely help you to become a winner. Telecom is a very dynamic world. Product and technologies change very fast. Organisation structures and roles change frequently too. One has to be a change leader. We also fail at times (while trying/experimenting) which is ok. Important is to be flexible and resilient, unlearn, try new things with the same determination and succeed. Being not too attached to our own ideas and giving equal chance to others by active listening and collaborating also helps to create more innovation and succeed more. Being curious, being ready to change (often), being resilient and flexible, happy to unlearn, being collaborative, and being happy to embrace the diversity of people and ideas would definitely help you to become a winner. Telecom is a very dynamic world. Product and technologies change very fast. Organizational structures and roles change frequently too. One has to be a change leader. We also fail at times (while trying/experimenting) which is ok. Important is to be flexible and resilient, unlearn, try new things with the same determination and succeed. Building trust and being accountable are crucial. Being not too attached to our own ideas and giving equal chances to others by active listening and collaborating also helps to create more innovation and succeed more.
Hope this was useful, wishing all success.

22 January, 2022 02:52

To me most important qualities to excel start with being open to learning, keeping an open & growth mindset. Being authentic as well as accountable & trustworthy, coming up with solutions instead of challenges & using a constructive approach definitely helps significantly. I'd also add clear communication & articulation along with being purpose/goal-driven are also key.

27 April, 2022 13:18

Thanks for a great question! It's very hard to attribute success or excellence to a single (or even a few) characteristics. As I see it, it's the 'whole package' that makes someone really stand out from the crowd and be seen as exceptional. In other words, having unique set of characteristics and personal point of view. However, in my experience there are a few things in common among high-performing people:

1. Top performers have a growth mindset and are not 'paralyzed' by setbacks. Instead, they use setbacks as learning experience to build themselves up stronger. This includes accepting that things will inevitably change and prepare themselves accordingly (be it learning new skills to provide more value or staying calm in the face of uncertainty

2. Top performers are proactive in taking up responsibility - even for things that are outside of their control. In my experience, the value a person brings (to society or organization) is directly linked to how much responsibility he or she is ready to take up. Sometimes it would mean having the autonomy to drive things forward, while other times it would mean to simply get the initiative (or problem resolution) going.

15 June, 2022 12:24

Hi Beatriz, Thanks for the great question. Irrespective of any domain/technical skills, I guess it will be beneficial for you to work on being a great team player, good communications skills, always be ready with open to learn new attitude. I am sure with these you will be able to do better in your career. If you are looking for specific skills/domains, do let us know, we will help you further!
Cheers
Karan

22 June, 2022 17:43

Hi Beatriz, Thanks for the great question. Irrespective of any domain/technical skills, I guess it will be beneficial for you to work on being a great team player, good communications skills, always be ready with open to learn new attitude. I am sure with these you will be able to do better in your career. If you are looking for specific skills/domains, do let us know, we will help you further!
Cheers
Karan

22 June, 2022 17:47

Motivation, continuous effort, and confidence! You need internal motivation to do the best work you can do, continuously making effort and the confidence to just go for it.

19 August, 2022 20:45

I’d say attitudes really matter. Starting with respecting oneself and others. Being curious: Learning, unlearning, relearning. Having goals to achieve, acting on them and communicating well. Invest in networking and building trust. Remembering that not always everything goes so well. When failed, being resilient and trying harder, failing again, failing better.

10 January, 2023 11:58

To flourish at an organization like Nokia, I would add here that teamwork is the most critical aspect that one should aim to excel in. It's important to understand that when you work in a team, where are the opportunities to collaborate, lead, learn, and grow? Also, learning about various cultures helps a lot when working in a team. As a global player in Telecom, Nokia provides a unique opportunity to work with very talented people from across the world. Having an understanding of each other's culture can significantly enhance collaboration.

Apart from that, as mentioned in previous answers as well that continuous learning is a must as technology and businesses keep evolving. There can be various directions in which your career can grow inside Nokia. To achieve your goals, you have to be an active learner not only about technical skills but also about the business goals of the organization to envision where you want to go.

31 October, 2023 22:14

Patience is crucial when pursuing the best results and working towards the accomplishment of goals.

Besides patience, openness is vital because there might be many approaches to the same problem and the one that we came into is not always the correct one.

Finally, courage plays an important role in challenging the status quo and driving positive change.

31 January, 2024 08:40

@Jennifer S. @Karoliina S. @Lindsey S. @Armia W. and @Casey C. , you might want to share your perspectives too :)

31 January, 2024 08:51

Thanks for the question! I would add these qualities :
- Ability to organize and prioritize work, and ability to see how small parts can have an important effect on the "big picture".
- Good interaction skills: e.g. communication and ability to work with people from different cultures.
- Genuine interest in the business. Otherwise, I would only be doing my work. But if I'm really interested, working becomes a passion. :)

31 January, 2024 09:12

In my humble opinion, the 3 top qualities required to succeed in my role (or in any workplace role for that matter) are (1) having the necessary knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors to perform the role; (2) having the capacities (i.e., to learn what the role requires), to perform the role competently, to know my limitations and when to seek assistance; and (3) to ensure beforehand that my personal/professional motives align with the incentives (both positive and negative) associated with my role, and that role is kind of work that I truly want to do.

All of that said, I also believe that there are environmental factors associated with one's role and workplace that impact one's performance to a greater degree than their personal/individual qualities. In summary, the environmental factors having the greatest impact on one's performance include (1) information (i.e., clear expectations, relevant feedback, relevant guides/job aids); (2) resources (i.e., suitable workplace tools (e.g., PC, software, etc.), frequent and relevant feedback from management and clients/customers, clear processes and procedures, and good working environment; and (3) Incentives (that align with your motives) which, for example could be financial but also include a positive work environment. You can research Dr. Thomas Gilbert's Behavior Engineering Model (BEM) for additional information the individual and environmental factors that impact our workplace performance and that can help facilitate our performance improvement.

01 February, 2024 23:17

Nokia is a big company and we need a wide range of skills, so individual skills cannot be listed here. It always depends on the task. However, most of the work requires technical understanding. When applying for a specific position, clearly highlight your skills, especially those that are relevant to the position.
Personally, I think that the most important "skill" is always motivation and the desire to learn something new. You can do almost anything if you just want to. Good luck!

05 March, 2024 15:34

@Nitasha M. @Emre C. @András L.Please share your perspectives too. :)

24 November, 2025 08:56

Hi Somay,

Indeed a fantastic question, though naturally a subjective one :) . I would like to segregate in terms of Power and Technical skills. Focus on power skills first that includes: Clear Communication, Learning Agility, Executive Presence , Problem Solving Mindset ,etc. All in all , do focus on "Personal Branding" which will reflect who you are even in your absence.

In addition to above, of course you need to work upon the technical skills that will always depend on the role for which you are focusing on .

If you want to learn more about how to work upon building "Personal Branding" do reach out :).

I hope this helps.

24 November, 2025 09:28

András L. Sw Dev. Specialist

Hi,

A successful Nokia employee typically excels in two fundamental areas: continuous professional development and active community engagement.

• Professional Path: This involves a commitment to ongoing improvement and an openness to change. Given our rapidly evolving industry, with new technologies, methodologies, and a dynamic company portfolio, adaptability is paramount. This doesn't necessarily mean inventing something new every week or constantly learning a new programming language, but rather a readiness to embrace and integrate new developments.
• Community Path: Beyond individual expertise, it is equally important to be a supportive and reliable colleague. Active participation in both professional and social events fosters strong team relationships and contributes significantly to a vibrant and collaborative work culture.

Keep up the pace!

24 November, 2025 09:45

There are a lot of great points already mentioned here, but I would like to add one point. If you are searching for a job in a certain sector, try to look around whether there is a community for it as well e.g. NANOG in the US or DENOG in Germany for Network Engineers. You can meet great people there and network with the right people who can help you on where to focus skill wise. Your network is also an asset which will help you to position yourself better.

26 November, 2025 09:11

András L. Sw Dev. Specialist

Hi,

To represent yourself effectively as a software development engineer, focus on cultivating a blend of technical proficiency and essential soft skills. Developing a strong sense of curiosity is paramount, as it drives you to explore new technologies and understand complex problems deeply. Coupled with this, maintaining an openness to learn ensures you stay current with rapidly evolving industry trends and adapt to new tools and methodologies. Furthermore, being a strong team player is crucial for collaborative success, enabling effective communication, code reviews, and shared problem-solving within development cycles. These attributes, combined with solid technical fundamentals, will significantly enhance your professional standing and impact.

Good luck!

01 December, 2025 11:52

Brilliant answers above, thanks, everyone.
Since your question covers a broad context, the responses can naturally vary. Let me share my perspective as well.

While the specific skills you need will depend on the particular opportunity or your areas of interest, there are some common themes that are always valuable and can truly set you apart. These include digital skills, especially since Nokia is a technology company. You should have a solid understanding of digitalization, automation, Security, AI, and their roles in network infrastructure.

Strong communication skills are also essential, as they support effective collaboration, persuasion, and building trust. Beyond these, critical thinking and problem solving are always welcome for any team and role.

I wish you the best.

07 December, 2025 10:04