Struggling to Get Interviews? If You Want Your Resume to Stand Out, You Need to Do This 1 Thing

New roles are being created across all industries every year, and yet experts suggest that millions of jobs will be displaced in the coming years as technology and digital transformation occurs. The demand for new capabilities means that in order to retain a fulfilling career — and get ahead in our future job search — we need to be upskilling and reskilling to stay competitive. 

Upskilling and reskilling are two ways of investing in your own future and making sure that you always have access to a rewarding job, both mentally and financially. Here’s how you can learn new skills and stay ahead of the competition when applying for jobs. 

What’s the difference between upskilling and reskilling?

While these terms are often used interchangeably, there are subtle differences:

• Upskilling is the process of learning new skills for your current career path or role.

• Reskilling is the process of learning new skills to do a different job.

When you upskill, you’re building on an existing skillset. To reskill, you need to train in an area or subject that’s unfamiliar to you. Both are effective strategies for advancing your career and opening up new opportunities.

What are the benefits of upskilling?

You meet future demand.

Adding new skills to your CV to progress your career forward offers several benefits. It enables you to meet future demand for skills that employers are looking for, putting you ahead of the competition and making you a desirable candidate for new roles that will arise. 

You show your potential.

It also offers the opportunity to uncover hidden skills to employers that businesses can take advantage of, opening up potential that they may not have realized they needed. 

You invest in your future.

In today’s ever-evolving market, employers are looking for a commitment to development and growth. In showing that you’re prepared to invest in your future and put the effort into developing your skills, it showcases your motivation and determination to succeed – something that all employers look favorably on. But there are also benefits for individuals too. 

You stay motivated over time.

To stay engaged, avoid burnout and keep yourself motivated, you need to be challenged on a daily basis and find a role that meets your needs. “Both people and companies change over time. If you’re with a company long enough to go through major life transitions, your needs may shift significantly”, says Olivia Marcellino, who oversees the research team at LuxuryRehabs.com. “In order to find a workplace that shares your priorities, you must first be able to articulate what you value – it’s your responsibility to define your needs and look for ways to meet them”.

Upskilling or reskilling can help you move into a job that better aligns with your needs and values, for greater job satisfaction and increased productivity. Convinced and ready to make a change? Here are three ways you can upskill with great success. 

How to upskill.

1. Assess your current skills.

The first step to a successful upskilling strategy is knowing where you’re starting from. You need to assess your skills and your current role to know what you do well, what needs improving and where you’re most motivated.  

If you’re a creative person, for example, and you’re in a number-crunching role, reskilling to put your skills and passion toward a different job might be the best course of action. If you enjoy working with data and feel that you would like to advance this aspect of your job, upskilling to develop strong data analysis skills might be the right choice. Be honest about what you’re capable of and where you need, and want, to improve so you can choose a rewarding career path. 

2. Research what employers are looking for.

If the goal of upskilling is to make yourself a more appealing candidate in the job market, you need to know what businesses are looking for. If you want to stay with your current employer, this might mean asking your line manager what skills the business is in need of and how that can apply to your development, or you might want to take a look at job vacancy adverts online to see what commonalities you can find within roles you like the sound of. This will help you formulate a learning plan to identify the skills you’ll need for these types of jobs. 

3. Know your options.

Upskilling and reskilling can be achieved in various ways, depending on your budget and timeline. For example, courses are one of the most common ways to upskill yourself, and they can be completed in person as well as remotely, depending on your schedule. From finance and digital marketing to IT and technical skills, there are courses for a wide range of disciplines, covering broad and niche topics depending on your needs. 

You can also gain in-person work experience to build and acquire new skills. This might mean shadowing colleagues in your company or reaching out to companies offering the services you want to get involved with to see if you can pick up some unpaid work experience to progress your career.  

If unpaid work isn’t possible for you and your circumstances, apprenticeships are another solution. Not just for school leavers, apprenticeships can help you gain formal qualifications and hands-on experience while earning, which can be a more practical solution for many people. 

Conferences and talks are also a great way to dip your toes into new skills and make useful contacts along the way. Networking can help you identify opportunities you might not have known about, as well as pick up valuable information along the way. 

Final thoughts.

Upskilling should be a continual process and one you revisit often to stay on top of your game. Lifelong learning is the best way to stay competitive and passionate about what you do for a living, and as we’ve seen, it can offer countless benefits for you and employers. 

This article reflects the views of the author and not necessarily those of Fairygodboss.

Gemma Williams is an independent HR professional working remotely from as many coffee shops as she can find. Gemma has gained experience in several HR roles but now turns her focus towards growing her personal brand and connecting with leading experts in career development and employee engagement. Connect with her on Twitter: @GemmaWilliamsHR.

What’s your no. 1 piece of upskilling advice? Share your answer in the comments to help other Fairygodboss members!