Tag Archives: skill

5 Low-Cost Ways to Develop Your Skills

ThinkstockPhotos-509352886It’s always a good idea to look for ways to increase your marketability and make yourself more appealing to prospective employers. The more you bring to the table, the greater your chances for landing the job or earning a promotion. In fact, many employers are less concerned about whether you have a higher degree, and more interested in the skills you possess. Acquiring new talents and abilities doesn’t have to clean out your bank account or leave you drowning in debt.

Online Courses

The web is a fantastic resource for low-cost learning. You can find courses on just about any subject; software and web development, business courses, CAD, marketing, general education courses, and a myriad of other topics. Sites like SkilledUp.com and Udemy.com offer free and paid courses, some for as little as $5. Other websites such as Lynda.com charge a monthly fee for unlimited access to a plethora of courses. Remember, depending on the type of course you’d like to take, you may have to purchase the necessary software, if for example, you’re interested in learning Microsoft Excel or Adobe Photoshop.

Public Library

The good old public library is an often overlooked skill-building resource. Many libraries offer writing workshops, as well as courses in computer skills and career readiness. You may also be able to learn a new language, which is always a desirable asset sought by employers. As an added bonus, many public libraries offer online classes from popular e-learning sites, free of charge for cardholders. So check with your local library before you shell out any money for an e-learning site.

Join a Club, Organization, or Group

No matter what you’d like to learn, there’s probably a group in your area that shares your interests. Sites like Meetup.com connect you with groups in your area that share a similar interest. From coding to cooking, public speaking to mobile app development, the list is practically endless. Most group meetings are face-to-face gatherings at a public place. There may be dues or a fee required to attend a meeting, but the cost, if any, will be listed on the event’s page.

Career Tech

Compared with the cost of a college or university education, career tech can be a real bargain. Career tech tuition costs nearly $5,500 less per year than the average four-year college. Plus you’ll be ready to begin your career and earn an income in two years. Career tech touts itself as providing education in a wide variety of high-paying, in-demand jobs. Career path options will vary according to the campus near you, but expect to find a wide range of choices including mechanical drafter, welder, IT technician, physical therapist assistant, biomedical equipment technician, legal secretary, aircraft mechanic, and real estate appraiser just to name a few. To find out more, do an internet search for “career tech” and your city in the search field.

Uncle Sam

The U.S. Department of Labor offers CareerOneStop.org as a source for “career exploration, training and jobs.” The site can help you explore careers, find training, and guide you to local resources via links to one of the more than 2,500 American Job Centers across the country.

You may be able to locate free computer classes, career counseling, apprentice programs, and more resources to help build your skills and prepare for a better job. Because it’s a government site, there is a vast amount of information on a wide variety of topics. So be prepared to spend some time wading through the wealth of information.

Do you have any great tips on low-cost ways to develop skills? Share your knowledge in the comments section!

These Surprising Skills May Land You a Job This Year

skills_to_get_hired_webAt this point in your career or job search, you’ve probably heard a lot about skills. There are hard skills, like typing and reading, and soft skills, like etiquette and time management. You know that you should seek ways to sharpen your leadership abilities and brush up on your communication talents. But, today’s business world is constantly changing, which means the skills employers seek are, too. In fact, there are a few surprising skills you may not even know you need to improve your chances of landing a job this year.

According to FastCompany, there are eight career skills that will not only help you secure interviews, but also seal the deal with a potential employer. Among those skills are some familiar qualities, like strong communication skills and the desire to learn. Employers are always looking for people who know how to communicate effectively, no matter their role in the company, and you should never turn down the opportunity to learn a new skill, equipment, or ability.

There are other skills FastCompany mentioned, however, that are not so common. Let’s take a look at the abilities you may not know you need.

Knowledge of Other Cultures
According to Paula Caligiuri, professor of international business and strategy at Northeastern University, leaders rank working with people from different cultures as their weakest skill. This weakness could be because they lack the opportunity to work with other cultures, or because they aren’t aware of its importance. Paula says that when you study and interact with other cultures, you learn tolerance, perspective, and humility. These are all traits that employers like to see, so take some time to learn about other cultures and sharpen your knowledge of how business works in countries other than your own.

A Global Mind-Set
Did you know that the fastest-growing economies are in Asia and South America? Businesses today benefit from knowing how prosperous countries are doing business, growing, and succeeding. If you know how to market, sell, and communicate to those countries, you automatically make yourself an ideal candidate for employers who need those skills on their team.

Effective Conflict Resolution
Conflict exists in virtually every workplace. But, how you deal with that conflict says a lot about you. Companies want to find employees who work well with others and know how to effectively resolve conflict. Take some time to learn skills that help you address issues as they arise and sort through conflict, like communication skills and anger management. Many employers will rule out a candidate if they don’t know how to resolve conflict, so make sure you aren’t one of them.

An Understanding of Analytics
According to Merriam Webster, the study of analytics is “a careful study of something to learn about its parts, what they do, and how they are related to each other.” It’s also classified as “an explanation of the nature and meaning of something.” In your career field, analytics may mean the study of how many visitors the company website attracts, how many customers are buying products, or which days of the week are better for your business. Whatever it may be, understanding how to read and decipher such information is essential to successfully stand out from the job search competition. Be sure to brush up on your ability to research and sort data, and include examples of how you’ve used analytics on your resume.

What other skills do you think are important for landing a job this year? Share with us in the comments section below.

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

Love Your Job Search

love_your_job_search_webWe’ve talked about how to overcome a tough job search before, but can you actually have fun while searching for a job?

A seemingly endless job search with little success can be frustrating and upsetting. Hiring managers aren’t calling you back. Rejection letters come as often as the bills do. And, you have to keep telling friends and acquaintances that, no, you still haven’t found a job.

With all this stress, how do you stay sane during a tough job search? Try to have some fun. Below are tips on staying sane, upbeat, and happy when the job outlook seems anything but.

Stay Social
Being unemployed has the unexpected benefit of allowing you a lot more free time to reconnect with friends, family, and loved ones. Schedule coffee dates or go to networking parties. Rekindling past friendships can be rewarding on an emotional level, but you’re also likely to find someone who can help you in some way with your job search.

Take a Class
Learning a new skill not only benefits your job search, but boosts confidence too. By taking a class in a new hobby, a career-centered skill, or just for fun will help keep your mind active and your self-worth soaring. The U.S. Department of Labor even has job training programs available for those who qualify. In addition to learning a new skill, you’ll also meet new people and maybe even find a new career.

Stay Healthy and Active
If you aren’t working right now, why not use that free time to improve your health? Remember when you had to work long hours and couldn’t spare any time for the gym? Now you can. Countless studies show that exercise is vital to maintaining a positive outlook in life. According to the Mayo Clinic, “physical activity stimulates various brain chemicals that may leave you feeling happier and more relaxed.” You may also feel better about yourself when you exercise regularly, which can boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem, traits you’ll need during your job search.

Volunteer
According to a recent article in Psychology Today, “providing assistance to other people helps manage stress, provides greater relationship satisfaction, reduces depression, and can even reduce risk of mortality.”

Volunteering also puts you in the spotlight in front of decision-makers who can help you with introductions and referrals. You’ll feel needed, accomplished, and grateful for what you have, which boosts your sense of self worth.

Do Something for Yourself
Believe it or not, pampering yourself isn’t a frivolous indulgence. Consider it an investment in your job-hunting efforts. A new haircut, a quality manicure, or a new suit can do wonders for your mood, but also for your appearance in job interviews. A simple thing like a new scarf or a bright tie may be what you need to add that little spark that makes all the difference.

The truth of the matter is that most worthy quests are tough before they get easy, and your job search is no different. But, the more time and effort you take to keep positive, motivated, healthy, and realistic, the better your chances are.

Do you have any advice on having fun during a tough job search? Share your tips in the comments section below.

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.