Tips from LinkedIn on staying ahead of the skills curve
Whether you’re a seasoned professional or taking your very first steps onto the career ladder, finding the time to learn a new skill will help give your career – and your confidence – a boost.
That’s why this week, we are hosting the Week of Learning, giving professionals free access to over 5,000 courses on everything from problem solving to movie-making.
This follows our announcement last week of research into the most sought-after skills among UK employers in 2016. Perhaps unsurprisingly, tech and data ranked highly on the list, but soft skills such as strategic thinking and communication also came out as highly sought-after by UK recruiters.
From sharpening your negotiation skills to becoming an Excel whizz, adding a new skill to your repertoire will prove valuable both in your current role and for opportunities further down the line. To get you started, here are our top tips on successful up-skilling:
Think ahead
While it’s important to consider the skills that will help you in your day-to-day role, make sure you don’t lose sight of your longer-term career goals and the necessary skills to get you there. Technical skills came out as the most in-demand by UK recruiters and, as the need for businesses to understand data and boost innovation is only set to continue, why not get ahead of the competition by learning more about data mining or IT security?
Learn flexibly
We know it’s not always convenient to take time out of your working day to attend a training course, which is why online courses are a great way to fit your development around your schedule and split it into manageable chunks. Until 30 October we’re offering free access to thousands of LinkedIn Learning’s online training courses, so there couldn’t be a better time to learn a new skill – at a pace that suits you.
Find a mentor
Sometimes the best way to hone a particular skill is to learn from the best. Whether it’s someone you’ve met at a networking event, a friend, or a fellow employee, if you admire a particular skill or quality that they possess, why not approach them directly for some advice? Send them a personal message to show you’re genuinely interested in them as a mentor and ask them for a coffee.
Embrace your softer side
While being armed with the most up-to-date technical expertise is a great plus for employers, don’t underestimate the value of “softer” skills such as strategic thinking, communication and ownership to boost your career. Recruiters told us that these are some of the hardest soft skills to find in candidates, so make sure you’re honing this expertise wherever possible.
Showcase your skills
Finally, make sure sure you’re including all your skills and relevant experience on your LinkedIn profile. Rather than just listing these skills, consider what you’ve achieved, delivered and learned in each of your positions, and evidence great results by including photos, presentations and pieces of work you’re proud of.
Regardless of the stage you’re at in your career, demonstrating that you are proactively upskilling yourself will help set you apart from the competition.
Darain Faraz works at LinkedIn.