We are all spending a lot more time at home at the moment. With all this extra time on your hands, why not spend some time building your employability skills? Luckily we have the power of technology to help us, however, we understand that the amount of information online can be overwhelming. This blog runs down 4 ways to build your employability skills.
Digital
One way to use your extra time is to build on your IT and marketing skills, with platforms such as Skillshare and Linkedin Learning allowing you to do this from home. There really is no reason not to learn and develop important skills when it’s this easy to access them. Using these platforms to grow understanding of SEO (Search Engine Optimisation), web analytics, email marketing, and other skills you might need will help you stand out from the competition when applying and interviewing for job roles.
Another useful skill which can increase your employability is growing your social media skills, with social media being a huge part of many businesses, this is a skill that will help you stand out from others. Along with this it builds critical thinking skills and enhances your written communication. Having both soft and hard skills is something that employers are looking out for.
Online Resources
Make the most of online resources to build on your business, marketing, creative skills. There are many different platforms and resources that can help you become more employable. Being confident with public speaking is something that many of us struggle with, however, there are courses online that can help your confidence grow. For example, Coursera, which offers just one lecture a week in building your skills in confidence, public speaking, and presentation planning. All of which will build your employability. Have a look at Coursera, and see which courses would be perfect for you.
Another online resource is Udemy which offers many courses in many areas. It’s a perfect platform to build skills within project management and teamwork. Not only this, they also offer courses in Excel, writing, web development, and even more, so why not head over to the website and see what course fits you and your career goals best?
Languages
Why not finally learn another language? This is something many of us wish we could do, so now is the perfect time to do so. Not only is it fun, but it can also increase your skills and the likelihood of standing out within job applications and interviews. Once again, you can do this from the comfort of your own home with apps/websites such as Duolingo and Babbel. Both websites are easy to use and allow you to pick and learn a huge amount of languages, you could even learn a new language within 48 days if you wanted! Gaining this new skill shows that you have strong problem-solving and multitasking skills.
If learning a new language isn’t for you why not try teaching English, Teaching English as a Foreign language is a great resource that offers online qualifications without having to be a teacher. This will build leadership skills, communication skills, and patience. 3 things that employers will be looking for.
Volunteering
Finally, why not do some volunteering. Yes, you can do this online and from home! The ‘Granny Cloud’ is a good example, you will teach, sing, and talk to children less fortunate than yourself over video calls. Another example of online volunteering is Amnesty Decoder, helping research and expose human rights violations. Not only does volunteering with organisations like this help others which is highly rewarding for yourself but this also can build your skills within communication, teamwork, and leadership.
Being able to build these skills from the comfort of your own home really will help your employability. Make the most of this crazy world of technology and use it to your advantage. Sign up for online courses, grow your IT skills, learn a new language, or even volunteer and help others. If you want to keep building your employability and adapt your skills, then why not head over to our blog about adapting your skillset during covid-19?
