Learn New Skills to Boost Your Appeal to Employers

August 20, 2020 JCS Career Center

(Photo by Zan on Unsplash)

By Ben Temin

For job seekers, especially now during the COVID-19 pandemic, learning new skills or building upon your existing skills can be a great way to show potential employers that you are motivated and engaged.

I tell many of my job seeking clients to spend part of each day learning new skills. The things you learn could become a great conversation starter when you are networking, and the classes you complete might make great additions to your resume.

And you can do it without having to leave home.

Let’s talk about online resources available right at your fingertips. There are some well-known websites you may have heard of, such as LinkedIn Learning, Alison, and Coursera. They’re great for everyone, whether you want to stay current in your industry or learn a new technology to get ahead.

Maybe you want to learn about graphic design or the basics of bookkeeping. It may be a good time to sharpen your writing skills or just become familiar with the most recent version of Microsoft office.

The point is there’s something for everyone.

Expanding your knowledge, skills and qualifications will boost your appeal to potential employers. Even if you are already employed, taking advantage of learning opportunities just might help you advance in your company and in your career.

In other words, continuing education just makes good job sense.

Ben Temin is a career coach and certified resume writer at the Ignite Career Center. Whether you are new to the job market or a seasoned professional, the Ignite Career Center, a program of Jewish Community Services, can help you go farther and get there faster. Our highly experienced career coaches provide individuals of all backgrounds and abilities with the customized services and tools they need to stand out from the competition. For information, call 410-466-9200 or visit jcsbalt.org.