If you are thinking about going back to work after being a stay-at-home mom, or want to progress your career further, you will find plenty of opportunities to become more employable. You need to find out which skills and qualifications employers are looking for, so you can offer more than other candidates. Make sure that you look through your CV and find areas where you can improve your employability. Find ten tips on how to do it below.
1. Compare Your Skills
Photo by PatrickIf you want to stay competitive as an applicant, you need to check what other jobseekers have to offer. Make sure that you search LinkedIn and Job Site, as well as other job search portals for CV-s in your industry. If you find that there is a skill that you could easily obtain to match the profile of more competitive job seekers, make a note and find a way. Find areas where you can stand out, and emphasize your unique skills that make you a better applicant than the majority of other people sending their resume to employers.
2. Check Role Requirements
When you decided which one is your dream role, you need to look through the key requirements listed by potential employers. Take a note of the keywords and main qualities they are seeking in applicants, and start rewriting your CV accordingly. If you address their needs without making them ask questions, you will be able to get ahead of the competition. Most recruitment agencies and job seeker portals use a keyword scan facility, as it is impossible to read each CV individually. Instead, employers filter applications based on different criteria.
3. Talk to Employers
Photo by GangplankYou might want to get some interviews in just to make sure you are aware of which questions are asked, and get you prepared for the reality of job hunting. If you have been off work for a long time, or are thinking about a career change, it is a good idea to answer the calls from recruitment agencies. While they might just want to get you on the books and not have any job offers at the moment, you can practice your interview skills, build up your confidence, and ask specific questions from experts who know the industry you are looking to work in.
4. Improve Your Computer Skills
Missing a few years of working can have a great consequence on your employability. You should focus on getting your computer skills updated first. Familiarize yourself with the applications and cloud platforms that are most likely to be used in your industry, If there are new software developed for accountants, and you want to return to this area, you might want to take on a course to make sure you can catch up fast, and be able to do the work right after you get a job. You can become certified as a Microsoft IT professional for less than $200, and improve your career outlook long term. If you have worked in health care, you might want to learn more about the latest patient information systems before you make an application.
5. Take On Extra Courses
There are different courses you can take on to improve your employability, and some of them are funded by the government. If you are a single mother, you can get a government funded college course that will help you get a better job and make it easier to search for jobs, communicate with potential employers, and present yourself. You might even be able to benefit from a free CV appraisal, or a course that helps you write a cover letter that impresses even the pickiest company. Learn life skills, as well as things about the industry you want to get a job in. If you have been working in hospitality, update your knowledge on health and safety, as well as customer services by enrolling in courses online. You can earn extra money if you have an up-to-date first aid training qualification. Search for cpr classes near me to find relevant courses.
6. Study Health and Safety
A solid knowledge of health and safety is essential for many jobs today. If you want to be the one employers pick, you might take the initiative and get your training updated. There are several day courses available in different states, and you can even get a discount if you are not working at the moment. If you want to get a job in health care, or even sales, you might need to go on a course that your future employer will have to fund. If you already have the updated qualification, you can start working immediately. At the same time, you can show that you have taken the initiative to keep your knowledge up to date, which will earn you credit with any employer. You need to show that you are proactive, and are able to organize your work and career, to appear more employable.
7. Learn More about Leadership
In case you would like to progress your career, you might want to study leadership. There are free courses available online, or you can go back to college. Leadership skills are welcome in any workplace: in health care organizations, charities, and large international companies. You can add an extra few thousand dollars to your final salary if you complete a course and show that you are able to deliver more benefit for the company than an ordinary employee. If you can, try to expand your knowledge about leading by example, motivation, and improving workplace culture, as this will surely impress your future employers.
8. Take a Business Administration Course
Business administration skills come handy in many professions. You can manage the office better, or become a better personal assistant. Business administration courses teach you how to organize different functions, cut costs for your employer, and manage people. A basic course can be completed online, and you can take a higher level college training part time. With this degree, you can show your future employers that you know everything about managing accounts, organizing events and trips, and communicating with customers. You can stand out from the crowd and secure a better paid job if you apply for a business administration course and add that qualification to your CV.
9. Volunteer for Experience
If you have no experience in the field you are looking for a work, you might want to sign up as a volunteer or apprentice with a company for a few months. You will be able to get used to working life, adapt to the culture, and show your future employer that you are up for the task. You will also talk to local charities that need leaders in the area, or set up your own group. This way, you can prove how good you are at organizing people and tasks, managing appointments, and allocating different roles. A few hours of volunteering can go a long way, and help you land in your dream job. If you have limited work experience, you should seek apprentice positions as well, to help you learn more about the role, the different business processes, and norms, before you are offered a full time position. While you might want to start working immediately for money, you need to gain the trust of your future employer first.
10. Improve Your Knowledge of Diversity in the Workplace
One of the areas all workplaces started to focus on in the recent decade is diversity and inclusion. While some large international companies offer training for all employees on the topic, you might want to get a formal qualification. The increasingly diverse workplace and customer base of companies makes this an important issue. You need to develop a good sense of cultural awareness, and learn more about the beliefs and values of people from different walks. A qualification in diversity and inclusion can improve your chances of getting a job in customer service, the hotel and restaurant industry, healthcare, and even in the teaching profession. Employers are looking to maximize the benefits of workplace diversity, and align the company’s goals with individual values and aspirations. If you become an expert in the field, you can apply for an HR position in a large company, or become a team leader easier.
In today’s competitive job market, it is crucial that you offer more than the majority of applicants, and stand out from the crowd. Whether you are a single mom returning to work, or want to improve your career through education, there are several skills you can learn online, offline, and through volunteering that will help you achieve your goals. Find your dream job, talk to recruiters, and check out the competition. Find gaps in your qualification and experience, and create a plan to fill them. You might prefer getting a hands-on experience through apprenticeships, or going back to school; you simply need to look for what employers are looking for in an applicant today. Focus on leadership, safety, and diversity, as they are hot topics, and you can find your CV more attractive for companies than ever before.
