Are you often on the lookout for new opportunities, or do you prefer to keep your options open and wait for something great to come your way? If you’re hoping for more job offers in the future, it’s likely that you’ll need to increase your value as a professional. With so many different career paths available to those with an education beyond high school, it can be challenging to identify which industries are the best fit for you. However, regardless of what your personal interests are, every professional needs to consider how they can increase their value in the job market. A high worth not only makes finding new employment much easier, but also opens up more opportunities and gives hiring managers a reason to pay attention and take notice of you.
Decide What You Want to Achieve
If you want to work in a particular industry, you’ll need to concentrate your efforts in that sector. Although having a variety of skills is always a plus, you’ll want to narrow down your focus and build a niche for yourself. This can be tricky to navigate, especially if you’re currently employed and are worried about burning bridges. In order to avoid issues, you’ll want to discuss your intentions with current supervisors, as well as other industry contacts. If you’re not sure what industries would be the best fit for you, consider your interests, your skill set, and your goals in life. Have you always wanted to work with animals, or are you passionate about the environment and want to pursue a career in sustainability?
Build Your Skillset
Although you may love animals and have a particular affinity for snakes, if snakes don’t fall into the category of desired pets, you may want to reconsider your choice. With that said, knowing what skills are in demand and can increase your value as a professional is key to finding employment in this competitive job market. While some employers may be looking for a candidate with specific credentials, others may be looking for someone who can learn the ropes quickly, and be trained up on the job. There are also many organizations who are always on the hunt for generalists, as they are trained to handle a variety of tasks and work on teams. When building your skillset, you may want to consider taking classes, joining an industry association, or even volunteering in your spare time. All of these things can help you expand your knowledge base while networking with like-minded people and building a network of contacts who can help you in your career advancement.
Network, Network, Network
If you want to switch industries, you may need to expand your network to include contacts in different fields. You may also want to consider talking with your current network to see if anyone can point you in the direction of anyone looking for someone with your skill set and interests. When building your network, you should always be honest about your intentions, even if you think it may offend someone. If you’re looking for employment, volunteering, or simply looking for advice, let the people in your network know. If you are useful to them in any way, they will appreciate you letting them know how they can thank you.
Stay Updated on Industry Trends
If you want to work in a certain industry, it is important to stay updated on the latest trends. While you don’t necessarily need to be an expert, it is important to stay informed. This can be done by reading industry publications, attending local conferences and events, and getting involved in industry-related organizations. Getting involved in your chosen field is the best way to learn about the latest trends, as well as make connections with like-minded professionals.
Bottom line
While improving your skillset and boosting your value can be challenging, it is important to remember that it takes time. Start building your skillset today, and don’t give up. If you’re hoping for more job offers in the future, it’s likely that you’ll need to increase your value as a professional. With so many different career paths available to those with an education beyond high school, it can be challenging to identify which industries are the best fit for you.