Is it Time to Tweak your Skills?

You have worked hard to obtain a quality education. You are talented at what you do. Your track record is impeccable and you have outstanding professional references. So why are you being looked over for that job that seems perfect for you? Could it be that you are not as prepared as you think?

Or perhaps you are reaching beyond the usual positions in your field to a more specialized area. In that prospective job, the focus would be in an area of interest to you personally. You find that the “description of duties” genuinely seems tailored for you.  In this new position, you would be satisfying a professional yearning to put your passion to practice every day.

So you review your qualifications and measure them against the requirements of the job. You possess more than the minimum education listed. Your skills are definitely transferable and you have a clear vision as to what you are offering the potential employer. But there are still some things missing from your resume that could be the determining factor between you and other equally qualified candidates.

In today’s job market, most companies are requiring multi-tasking individuals. Whereas before, this was a supplementary asset, it is now a given. In most cases, it is a requirement of the position. Companies are seeking employees who are experts rather than novices. This is true not only for the necessary duties attached to a title or position, such as manager, editor, writer or analyst, but also for the accompanying skills needed to perform that particular job well. For example, a potential employee may be required to have mastered specific computer software that is used daily in a particular industry. In other cases, they may need working knowledge of a foreign language or specific knowledge about a particular market sector. In other words, the new employee should be able to hit the ground running.

But at this point in your career, you may not be thinking of returning to school. Fortunately, if your goal is to tweak your skills and tailor them to a position you have had your eye on, there are other options.  The first step is to consult any and all free information available, whether at your library or on the Internet. There are numerous resources, including online tutorials and even partial downloads of new programs that will give you hands-on practice. Next, consult the city colleges and even large universities in your area. Most offer professional enhancement courses specializing in particular subjects of interest, such as learning a foreign language, a course on market analysis or on how to create a website. Finally, tap into your local community happenings for opportunities to volunteer and increase your experience in “real-life” business practices, public relations or any other area of interest.

There are numerous options available that can be tailored around your schedule. If it means giving up social events and staying up late to accomplish your goals, so be it. In the end, you will find that these small steps will strengthen your footing on the job market, giving you the advantage you have been seeking.

--Amelia Orozco

Writer, Teleguía de Chicago

Adjunct Instructor, Robert Morris University