Stay Current on Marketable Skill Sets

Technology advancements often provide improved efficiency in business operations, such as online services, which can help companies save time and money. As a result, however, companies’ day-to-day business needs are constantly fluctuating, and so are the job requirements of their employees.

What you learned in college – even if it was only a few years ago – may be vastly different from how things are practiced in your field today. If you are looking for a new job or are seeking a promotion at your current job, you should stay current with the marketable skill sets in your industry. Doing so will help you be better qualified and help you compete with other applicants. Make sure to indicate training seminars and other continuing education on your résumé.

Some skill sets can be self-taught, such as becoming familiar with the latest version of MS Word or Excel when you are already familiar with older versions. Other skill sets can be more extensive, requiring additional coursework or another degree. For example, many graphic designers, who were largely able to find work making printed materials a decade ago, have evolved to become web designers, working mainly with electronic images and layouts designed for viewing on the Internet. Many have learned HTML and other programming languages and now work with web developers and computer programmers.

Many companies offer training to their employees. They consider it as a necessary business expense, particularly for skill sets that are unique to the business or are otherwise hard to come by, such as being familiar with customized databases. Some companies also offer at least a partial reimbursement for personal educational expenses as an employee incentive because they value employees who continue their education.

Training, nonetheless, whether it is formal or informal, is expensive for companies. Formal training involves paying for a professional instructor to teach a seminar either on- or offsite. Informal training consists of a supervisor or peer teaching you skills that are required for your job. Both require paying employees, and they temporarily delay work from getting done. By obtaining the required skill sets yourself, you increase your chances of getting hired. Businesses know they will save the money it would cost to train you themselves.

Enrolling in training seminars or taking additional college coursework is not cheap for you, either. You should plan carefully and select courses wisely to make sure the skill sets you learn will provide an acceptable return on your investment. Ask yourself the following questions:

  • Is the skill set regularly listed in job announcements for which you would like to apply?
  • Will the skill set make you more qualified for jobs that offer a higher salary than your current or previous job?
  • Do you know anyone who has the training you seek or can you find information about the training or skill set on the Internet?
  • Do you enjoy doing the work associated with the skill set and is it work that you could do day in and day out?

You should also consider whether paying for the training or coursework will require you to go into debt. There is a certain amount of risk with going into any kind of debt. Going into debt occupies credit that you could have used on other things, such as purchasing a car or home. However, going back to school can increase your credit so that you have a better chance of qualifying for a loan. You should consider how you would pay off a student loan or training expense both on your new salary as well as on your existing salary, should your plans fail. Also, be sure that you will be able to pay off the debt within a period of time that will fit your budget.

Technology affects the very business models that indicate how companies earn their revenue – something that company executives who may hire you really care about. Pay attention to the technologies that are impacting your field, and be able to speak about them in a job interview.

Pursuing additional training or coursework is a way that you can meet the job requirements of a position that you view as a career advancement, and it can also be a way to qualify for a career shift into another field. Getting such training is an investment that can pay off in your career when you approach it with adequate planning. Canterbury Resume Services can assist you in preparing a tightly written cover letter that will emphasize why you are the best applicant for the job.

Sign up with Canterbury Résumé Services today, and give yourself a new lease on your career.

© 2012 by Emily Sanderson
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