Over the past few months, the world has changed dramatically and most of us are feeling unsure about what the future holds. This can seem scary for students who are preparing for university or graduates who are ready to enter the word of work. However, try not to worry as we have some top tips to help you upskill at home to enhance your CV and make the process of applying for jobs that little bit easier!
What is upskilling?
Upskilling is when we teach ourselves new skills that will benefit us throughout our career journey. In some companies, employers will offer their employees the opportunity to take part in training days that will help the company to stay competitive within its industry. Upskilling allows us to stay on top of what is going on within our line of work and also helps us to better our CVs and become more employable in the future.
Why is upskilling so important?
For many organisations upskilling within the workplace is a top priority, and employers actively seek out employees who upskill in their own time. Upskilling is important for several reasons:
• It helps to boost your CV and allows you to stand out in the recruitment process
• Upskilling allows you to fill the gaps within your knowledge as industries are constantly developing
• It helps your company to stay competitive
• Attending courses allows you to network and make connections within your line of work
How can I upskill from home?
Many of us are working from home or have been put on a government scheme, and most likely will be for the foreseeable future. However, just because we can’t get out and about to networking events or to attend courses doesn’t mean we can’t upskill from the comfort of our own home. There are a number of ways that we can do this:
1. Online Courses
There are a range of free online courses that can help to boost your skills and learn new and wonderful things about your chosen professions. A few of these include HubSpot Academy, Coursera, LinkedIn Learning and Google Digital Garage. After completing some of these courses, you will be awarded with a certificate which shows employers that you have taken the time to learn new skills.
2. Webinars
Through apps like Meetup and LinkedIn you will often find people who work within similar professions or have the same interests as you. Throughout lockdown there have been a range of free and paid webinars taking place that allow you to network from the sofa as well as learn new skills.
3. Volunteering
Although work placements have seized to a halt due to the pandemic, many businesses are seeking volunteers who can help from home. Through apps such as Zoom, Slack and Microsoft Teams businesses can keep in touch with their volunteers and show them how things are done without meeting in person.
4. Podcasts
On music apps, such as Spotify and Apple Music, there are a range of podcasts to suit everyone. Podcasts cover a range of topics, including business management, software engineering, the arts, and so much more! Through these podcasts you might learn about opportunities within your field and gain new knowledge that you can use in the office.
While this is a challenging time for all of us, we can use this time wisely to be productive and upskill. This will help to place you in the best possible position to take the next steps towards your career goals in a post-pandemic world. For more information on upskilling, check our our episode with Political Advisor Ruaidhri O’Donnell where he gives an insight into how upskilling has helped him throughout his career journey so far.