In today’s fast-paced job market, it is increasingly apparent that job seekers need to adapt to stay relevant and stay employed. Upgrading your work skills, also known as “upskilling,” is the best way to increase your value as an employee and increase the earning potential and benefits you can bring in.
What is Upskilling?
Upskilling includes any training or education you undertake beyond your initial degrees or certifications that build on your current skills and add to your skill set. Upskilling differs from “reskilling,” which involves learning new skills to do a different job.
Upskilling presents a crucial solution to the current labor gap issues. As technology advances, many industries cannot find qualified candidates to fill vital roles. The lack of adequate skills is one of the biggest issues with hiring today. Upskilling bridges that gap, allowing current and future employees to enhance their skills and fill those positions.
Your Upskilling Path
The most important step on the upskilling path is to research the current market and determine where you need to upgrade your skills. Take a close look at your profession and see what employers are looking for and how you can upskill to improve your career path and earning potential.
Digital Upskilling
As more businesses operate remotely, digital skills have become increasingly important. In fact, workers who have improved their digital skills can earn up to $20 more per hour than those who don’t have them. Digital skills that may help you improve your career path and increase your earning potential include:
- Programming
- IT support
- UX/UI design
- Digital marketing
- Social media
- Web development
- Software development
- Digital product management
Analytics
Roles involving analysis are projected to be among the top fastest-growing occupations in the next ten years. They also are some of the highest paying, with most making average salaries of $84,000 per year or higher. Analytic skills in demand include mathematical modeling, data science, research, and digital business analysis.
Soft Skills
Soft skills are just as important as hard skills, with jobs requiring social skills growing in demand. While automation is increasing in many industries, the value of social interaction and employees who function well is surging.
Soft skills include all of the personality and capability elements beyond academic and technical training. Some of the top soft skills in demand include:
- Persuasion
- Collaboration
- Communication
- People skills
- Adaptability
- Social skills
Leadership Skills
Strong, qualified leaders are vital in times of success and times of crisis. Employers often look for signs of leadership skills in resumes, and growing and demonstrating those qualities can make it easier to get the job you want and significantly increase your earning potential.
Leadership skills in demand include:
- Honesty
- Decision-making
- Risk-taking
- Motivation
- The ability to give constructive feedback
Conclusion
Now that you know how important upskilling is in today’s labor market, you can start building your skills and increasing your value as you pursue your dream job.
Ready to start looking for your new job? Want to apply your upgraded skills to a new position? Contact Career Foundation today!
