In every job you have—whether it’s your “day job,” an internship, volunteer work, or a committee role—you build skills. These experiences offer valuable opportunities to develop and practice your skills, contributing to your overall professional growth.
It’s crucial to be aware of which skills you excel at (mastery) and which ones you need to develop (gaps). If a job requires skills you haven’t yet mastered, be strategic in finding ways to build those skills. You can take on new responsibilities in your current role, explore volunteer opportunities, or even take up side gigs and part-time employment to gain experience.
Taking classes can provide foundational knowledge, but performing these skills in a professional environment is what allows you to speak confidently and convincingly about them as you grow in your career. Remember, we are in a skills-based hiring economy. It’s time to catch up and clearly communicate to prospective employers what you have to offer.
Standard job applications often don’t align well with what employers and recruiters truly seek. While applications ask for employment history and job descriptions list credentials and years of experience, what hiring managers really want to know is your skill set and personality. That’s why I spend a lot of time with clients, helping them enhance their LinkedIn profiles and resumes to emphasize skills over mere roles and experiences.
For instance, recruiters are 50% more likely to search by skills on LinkedIn than by experience. To stand out, be specific, honest about your proficiency, and take ownership of your contributions. Utilize tools like LinkedIn’s Skills Match feature to better understand the skills needed and highlight your capabilities.
We’re in a skills-based hiring economy. It’s essential to catch up and communicate clearly to prospective employers what you have to offer.