If you want to become more marketable you must commit to continually expanding your skills and knowledge. Becoming marketable is about making yourself indispensable to your current employer or irresistible to prospective employers. You will need to be current in your field so you stay competitive, this will put you in a strong position to compete for the job you want. The goal is to make yourself stand out in a crowd by promoting your own skills and experience. So, whether you are in the market for a new job or new position at your current job, you should be seizing every opportunity to show your current (or future) employers how amazing you are.
Tip #1-
- Keep skills fresh, current, and relevant
Technology is constantly evolving and with that comes the need to stay current with those changes. It is important that you continuously learn and expand your education. Stay current on any changes made to necessary software, certifications, or even required degrees. This not only shows what you are capable of, but also shows employers that you are doing what it takes for the job. It can also lessen the amount of training you may need which can save your employer time and money.
Tip #2-
- Expand your network
Effective networking can change your professional life tremendously. It is always beneficial to make connections with those in your industry. Attending professional events and meetings will broaden your links to those with knowledge in your market. Also, you can share your own advice with others which can lead to you earning information back when needed.
Tip #3-
- Brand yourself
Branding is not only for companies. When you are in the workforce, you will want to present yourself, experience, and skills in the best possible light. You will want to remain consistent, professional, and create a brand to stand out among your competitors. Use social media for good and create a story to tell employers who you are, what your strengths are, and where you see yourself in the future. A great social media tool for this is LinkedIn.
Tip #4-
- Create a portfolio
Creating an online portfolio of your best work is a great way to show future employers that you value your work. This portfolio will show-off the quality and depth of your work while showing that you take pride in what you do. You can provide a link on social media for potential employers, but also have a more in-depth portfolio available for interviews. Be sure to keep this up-to-date and have a hardcopy as well as a PDF version.
Tip #5-
- Update your resume
As you gain new skills, certifications, achievements, etc., update your resume. Remove outdated information and skills from your resume so the rest can be highlighted and in the forefront. Don’t wait until you are searching for a job to update your resume, have it “at the ready” at all times so as soon as an opportunity arises you can provide exactly what you need. Then, be sure to follow up with anyone you have provided your resume to.
Tip #6-
- Be as flexible as possible
The job market is constantly changing and evolving, due to this it is important to be open minded and flexible concerning job positions and responsibilities you are willing to explore. Even temporary positions or travel assignments can lead to full-time positions which can lead to growing within the company. Be flexible and show initiative!
Tip #7-
- Clean up/join social media
In today’s world of social media employers have and will view what you share online. It is important to view your social media account(s) through an employer’s eyes and clean up what may be viewed as inappropriate. A future employer may love your resume and interview skills, but they may not like how you present yourself on social media. Again, good branding is key!
Tip #8-
- Stay Focused
It can be exhausting and stressful locating a new job and employer, however; staying focused and committing to your future can be very rewarding. Set your goals and remain focused, you will get to where you want to be. It may take some time, or you may luck out and it happen quickly…either way, determination and drive will help you get there. Set your focus on what you want and go for it!
These are eight ways to become more attractive to your current or future employer. It does take work and dedication, but if you have committed to the process results are sure to follow. You want employers to want you, and it will need to be targeted to employers that you will want to work for. Not every opportunity is the right fit, but with time and persistence you can find what best works for you. These tips will help you to create a strong presence and impactful first impression, exactly what it takes to become more marketable. So get started and make a positive impact in your field today!
TK Accounting & Consulting 