Every day, companies all over the world announce millions of job openings. Countless people apply to them, each wanting to stand out. But how do you make your application stand out in a sea of others who might have a similar work history as yours? By showcasing your set of skills! Or maybe enhance your skills through training. For example, it is a good idea to get confined space training if you’re applying for a technical job that involves entry to confined spaces.
Without further ado, let’s go straight to the training you should consider before starting a job.
Hard Skills Vs. Soft Skills
There are generally two main types of skills: hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are the more “hands-on” and technical skills that you learn from training and experience. These are more specific skills and would be different depending on the industry you are working in. Hard skills can be “measured” and rated. You can rate these out of 10 and determine whether you meet the job’s hard skills criteria.
On the other hand, soft skills are universal and difficult to quantify. These are interpersonal skills and include things like how you interact with others, emotional intelligence, awareness, creativity, and more. The perfect employee encompasses a blend of both hard skills and soft skills.
Hard Skills Training
Below are some hard skill areas you should consider for training before applying for a job.
• Language Skills: In the globalized world of today, you’re bound to meet people from all over the world, especially if you’re in the business or marketing field. Consider taking a language course in your time off. Speaking an additional language can automatically bump up your chance of getting specific jobs.
• Video Production: Most companies today have an active social media presence, and videos are increasingly being used for marketing. If you are skilled in video production, you will be a great asset to your potential employer! You can learn this skill online and practice it until you master the skill. It would make your resume stand out instantly!
• Other Hard Skills: Cloud computing, Business analysis, database management, SEO analysis, and affiliate marketing.
Soft Skills Training
In addition to getting training to improve your hard skills, here’re some soft skill areas to consider for training:
• Persuasion: You would be relying on your persuasion skills from the very start of your career. To get the job, you need to persuade your potential employer to hire you. Once you’re in, you must give them a reason to retain you. Persuasion skill comes in handy with clients and even within the company.
• Adaptability: Work environments can differ greatly between companies and even within the same company’s different departments and divisions. Employers need people in their teams that can adapt to any environment, culture, and situation. If you’re applying for a job that involves moving around, having this on your resume will greatly improve your chances of getting in and actually keeping the job once you’ve got it.
• Other Soft Skills: Collaboration, creativity, problem-solving, time management, verbal and written communication, etc.
Once you have a mix of these skills on your resume, employers are more likely to hire you. Training in these areas will open more doors of professional growth and development for you.
