Few things will have such a detrimental impact on your marketability as a trained professional than will prolonged periods of inactivity. That’s why, it is important to keep yourself busy during your job search. Not only will this keep your from becoming disheartened when things don’t immediately go your way, but it will also ensure that there are no embarrassing gaps in employment on your CV or resume.
Start your job search by creating a comprehensive personal development plan. You can attach this to your application documents in order to show prospective employers that you are committed to constantly increasing the amount of value that you’re capable of providing as a hired team member. In fact, this is one of the top ways to set yourself apart from the competition.
Your personal development plan should include goals that are both feasible and measurable. This can be to obtain training on specific type of software or learn how to code web pages. You even have the opting of writing your own industry-specific eBook. Anything that you do to increase your experience and heighten your skills is guaranteed to pay off in the future. Many of the activities that you engage in can also result in new ways to generate additional and even passive income.
One of the main benefits in sharing this plan with prospective employers is the ability to get funding for the training that this plan entails. Many companies are eager to assist their in-house talent in their self-development efforts. They know that increased learning will ultimately add more value to their overall operations while boosting their capabilities.
Look for options in training that are directly relevant to your employee goals. If you are eager to try your hand at new responsibilities in the workplace, set out to attain all of the required skills for these duties. Taking the initiative to seek training on your own is one of the most effective ways to qualify for promotion.
Don’t be afraid to step out of the proverbial box by seeking skills that are unique to your role and yet still viable within the workplace. For instance, now could be the best time to take a crash course in a second language. Even with basic, moderate speaking skills, you can still impress your bosses and assist in areas that other workers who aren’t bilingual cannot.
Keep track of all of the different classes that you complete as well as records of any industry-specific workshops that you attend. It is generally a good idea to participate in training options that offer completion certificates. These can be added to your portfolio and share during interviews.
Whether choosing to take an Excel course or pen your very own eBook during your job search, your efforts to stay both active and productive will make you stand out as a stellar job candidate. Not only will new training make you more appealing to prospective employers, but it can also significantly increase your earnings ability. Thus, ongoing training as part of a structured, personal development plan, is an investment that is certain to provide phenomenal returns.