5 Ways To Develop New Career Skills When You Have A Repetitive Job
5 Ways To Develop New Career Skills When You Have A Repetitive Job
What can you do if your current job responsibilities prevent you from acquiring in-demand skills? – Dennis
Dennis deserves credit for recognizing that what you do on a daily basis is not always what will get you the next job. Ideally, you manage your career proactive and keep your skills current and relevant to your target job. Identifying the in-demand skills for your target job is a critical first step. You must first determine which skills to develop before determining how.
Once you've determined which skills are necessary for the job you want, you can plan how to develop them. On-the-job training is only one method of acquiring new skills. You also do not have to spend a lot of your own money. To discover developmental opportunities, you must invest time, be willing to stretch yourself, and experiment.
1. Tap Company Resources
If you work for a large company, inquire about in-house training. My large media client offered both industry-specific workshops and general skills training in areas such as people management, communication skills, and public speaking. While a smaller technology client did not provide on-site training, they did provide each employee with a personal budget for learning and development courses and supplies. Certain companies offer shadowing opportunities, which allow you to spend a day with a different department. Certain businesses organize mentorship programs that pair employees from diverse backgrounds.
Also, some companies offer training sessions on topics such as learning how to handle conflict, which can be valuable for employees' professional development. These workshops provide employees with the necessary skills to navigate challenging situations effectively and contribute positively to the workplace environment.
2. Help Your Manager Help You
Your manager may be able to point out company benefits that you are unaware of, or they may offer to create a customized learning plan for you. If the skills you want to develop are being used elsewhere in your group but not in your job, your manager may be able to rotate your responsibilities with the person doing the job you want. Alternatively, you could be assigned to cross-functional projects, which would stretch you in new ways, introduce you to people you wouldn't normally work with, and provide a window into other parts of the company.
3. Volunteer, Including At Your Company
Volunteering allows you to practice new skills in a hands-on environment and provides tangible examples to share during job interviews and networking meetings. If you already possess the fundamentals of a skill, such as accounting, but lack an accounting degree or regularly use accounting in your role, volunteering may serve as proof that you possess that skill. You could lend a hand with bookkeeping for a non-profit organization that you care about. Volunteer to serve as treasurer at your child's school, church, or neighborhood association. Board service is an excellent resume builder, and you could volunteer specifically for the finance committee. You could even volunteer at your company – for example, to manage the annual offsite's budget or to serve as treasurer for an affinity group.
4. Reconnect With Your Public Library
If you need to learn a skill but are unable to use it immediately, do not assume that a paid course is your only option. Your public library, particularly if it is a central branch or is specialized in business or research, provides free access to books, periodicals, and online resources. Certain libraries offer professional development workshops on a variety of topics, including how to start a business. Reading biographies is an excellent way to become acquainted with potential career paths. Once you realize how frequently success is not linear and results from a variety of experiences, you'll gain confidence in your ability to find your own path.
Your next employer is looking for experience, but not necessarily the kind that comes with a salary and on-the-job training.
True, it would be ideal if your current job kept pace with your career goals and provided you with the necessary skill development to advance. However, it is unlikely that it will, which is one of the reasons you are looking to move on in the first place. Nonetheless, there are ways to advance your career outside of your current position, including through the acquisition of new skills.
Your prospective employer will want proof that you possess the necessary skills, but on-the-job performance is only one form of proof. Self-study is beneficial if you are able to discuss a subject in sufficient detail to demonstrate your knowledge. Volunteer work is valuable if it is hands-on and results in tangible outcomes. Extra work you do at your company, even if it is not your primary job, demonstrates your abilities and your willingness to go above and beyond.
5. New Skills Acquisition Online
People learn new skills for a variety of reasons. Sometimes you need new skills for your job to keep up with technological advances or to take advantage of newly developed techniques.
When you learn a new skill, consider online education. It has benefits that go way beyond the actual skill learned. Some of the biggest benefits of learning a new skill online – no matter what that skill is include:
1. You will become smarter and more confident.
2. Your self esteem increases.
3. Your learning speed increases.
4. You make connections between skill areas and environment.
5. You become a more interesting person.
6. Learning new skills fights boredom.
7. You adapt better to change.
8. You could stave off brain diseases such as dementia.
Sometimes you can learn a new skill independently or informally, but often the best way to learn a new skill nowadays is to take an online course. SIIT offers IT professional courses online that allow people to learn new skills and more fully develop their existing skills, both for their careers and for personal development.
Courses and Certification
Advanced Web and Mobile Development Course and Certificate
Advanced IT Systems Engineering Course and Certificate
Advanced Graphics and Multimedia Technologies Course and Certificate
Advanced Digital Marketing Course and Certificate
