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As technology and the work environment evolve rapidly, you must evolve with them. That’s where upskilling comes into play. Upskilling is the process of acquiring new knowledge and training to advance your skills.

1. Formal Training

There is no shortage of ways to learn in this online world. You can learn about talent acquisition on Skillshare or take a course on supply chain operations on LinkedIn Learning.

Research certification courses in your industry. For example, if you’re in manufacturing this CNC Machinist course could take your career to the next level. 

You don’t always have to sit in front of a computer:

  • Look for on-the-job training opportunities.
  • Find someone further along your career path to mentor you.
  • Research vocational training for your field.

Formal training will get you the hard skills you need to become an expert, but that’s only the beginning.

2. Soft Skills

Equally important as hard skills, but not as easily measured, are soft skills.

You can’t show your proficiency in soft skills with a certificate. They’re more related to your behavior. The only way to measure them is by your conduct on the job. Hard skills get your foot in the door, but soft skills make people want to work with you daily.

According to LinkedIn, these are the top five soft skills companies want: 

  1. Creativity
  2. Persuasion
  3. Collaboration
  4. Adaptability
  5. Emotional Intelligence

You can learn ways to improve these skills through books, but it’s important to put what you read into action. Here are a few ways to develop them on the job: 

  • Ask for feedback and keep an open mind.
  • Establish open communication with your co-workers.
  • Handle conflicts when they arise.

Soft skills are about developing the right mindset—not just for work, but for life.

3. Make A Plan

The right certifications and a positive attitude are great, but they’ll do little if you don’t know where you’re headed.

Setting a long-term goal gives you something to work toward and you can reverse-engineer it to figure out the best path to get there. This can save you from wasting time and money by taking the wrong courses.

Keep your plan fluid. While planning is crucial, being adaptable when things change is equally, if not more, important. To know when your goals need realignment, keep up with emerging trends and technology in your industry.

The best way to do this is to follow experts on social media and subscribe to blogs and email newsletters related to your field. 

Key Takeaways:

  • Make a plan, but keep it adaptable.
  • Soft skills are just as important to your career as hard skills.
  • Formal training is easier than ever to get through online courses, on-the-job training, and mentorship. 

If you’re in the metro Atlanta area, let Employ Partners be your guide to contract careers and direct hire jobs in the following areas: administrative, accounting, human resources, warehouse and manufacturing. Contact us to learn more!

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