8 Ways to Increase Your Marketability
As professionals, we are always seeking new methods to learn and improve our abilities. Rest assured, there are several methods you may improve your marketability to present and prospective employers.
Professional development does not have to be restricted to your present work and duties. While being marketable starts with your present employment, it is also about looking forward and contemplating what potential employers would want, as well as choosing what your future career path may look like.
Making oneself more marketable entails committing to broadening your skills and knowledge in order to remain current, competitive, and well-positioned to compete for employment in the future market.
Here are eight techniques to keep your abilities up to date and marketable to organisations at every point of your career.
1. Look for chances to improve your talents.
As the needs for various positions change, so should your abilities and expertise. Learn about the skill sets that your present position could need six months or a year from now while keeping your company’s objectives and ambitions in mind. Once you’ve discovered these talents, look for ways to improve them, such as classes, online courses, seminars, and conferences.
Pay close attention to both your transferrable talents and your soft skills. These include abilities such as leadership, communication, and technological awareness: they will always be valuable assets and a sound investment in your future profession.
2. Be open and adaptable.
As the work market develops and changes, it’s critical to have an open mind and be flexible in terms of the roles and responsibilities you’re ready to pursue. In other words, don’t take no for an answer: flexibility entails experimenting with new sectors or business models.
Also, evaluate the job type you’re looking for: looking into a contract or temporary employment may help you get back in the saddle fast, keep the momentum going, and extend your foundation of relevant expertise.
3. Update and refresh your CV
Don’t wait until you’re in the thick of a job hunt to update your CV. Update your CV with current accomplishments and new abilities as you reach milestones you’re proud of. Your CV will be available whenever you need it, whether for a new opportunity or a career inside your existing company.
There are various strategies to make your CV stand out from the crowd: make sure your achievements are obvious and utilise data points to explain them.
Always tailor your CV to each job application and follow up. Keeping your record of successes up to date is also a nice reminder of your achievements to date, which may be useful when negotiating a salary raise.
4. Continue to learn about your industry.
Continuous learning demonstrates your dedication to growth. Regardless of your present role, stay updated on industry best practices and technology. Increasing your knowledge and credentials will raise your worth to a current or future job.
Online seminars, conferences, and industry journals are other excellent ways to stay current with your sector and the important challenges that are driving change in the near future. They also make it easy to transition into a new professional conversation later on.
5. Become acquainted with networking.
The ability to network successfully may revolutionise your professional life – even if you’re not currently in the market, it’s always beneficial to connect with others in your field, widen your contacts to those with market expertise, and attend professional events and meetings. But don’t let it be one-way: providing assistance and guidance to others is a smart way to get it back when you need it.
6. Establish your own brand
Branding is crucial for both people and businesses. When searching for a job or even at your existing position, you want to convey your experience, talents, and overall story in the best light possible. Your personal brand consists of these aspects, as well as your personality and beliefs. The most significant aspect of this brand is that it is consistent and professional without being boring. Use OppTy and other social media platforms to tell a narrative about the kind of employee you are, your biggest abilities, and where you see yourself going next.
7. Display your greatest work
Maintain examples of your greatest work — as long as they are not the intellectual property of your present company — to build an online portfolio. This is a simple method to demonstrate that you respect your work and its quality. Add a simple portfolio to your OppTy profile to let future employers understand what you’re capable of. Then, upon request, provide a more detailed version.
8. Look for a mentor.
Speaking with someone you trust and who is of sufficient status to provide guidance is an excellent first step toward locating a mentor. Learn what aided their advancement or what to look for when interviewing for a comparable role. If you need to brush up on a certain ability or accomplishment, do so ahead of time. Finally, a mentor is an excellent resource for recharging your confidence as well as practising potential interview circumstances.