Making Sure You Stay Marketable
Even if you're not actively looking for a new role currently you
should always make sure your skills are up to date and relevant.
Also, don't forget to update your CV with recent successes or if
you learn a new skill - it's very easy to forget otherwise.
Upgrade your skills
Keeping your skills fresh, current and relevant is the best way
to stay marketable. Align your skill set with your company's plans,
as well as those of potential employers.
Keep learning
Continuous learning illustrates your commitment to your
development. Strengthening your qualifications is an important way
to increase the value you represent to your current or potential
employer.
Flexibility
In the constantly evolving job market, keeping an open mind and
remaining flexible about your employment preferences will open a
world of additional career opportunities. You may need to
reconsider your expectations in terms of industry, salary and/or
job type (permanent, contract, or temporary) in order to keep your
options open and avoid limiting your employability.
Get networking
Your network of contacts is one of the most useful job search
and career development tools you have. Make the effort to attend
professional association meetings, events and conferences. As well
as building your reputation as a well-connected and valued peer,
networking helps to keep you top of mind when opportunities arise
within or outside your company.
Stay informed
It is critical to anticipate what skills employers will need now
and into the future. Keep up to date with relevant trade journals,
industry research and job advertisements. Staying abreast of
developments and opportunities in your industry gives you a strong
indicator of the type of skills currently in demand, as well as
those likely to be valuable in the future.
Refresh your CV
Refresh your resume with recent achievements and current skills
so that you can act on opportunities as they arise. Keep samples of
your best work and update your resume with tangible examples of
your accomplishments, such as improving business processes or
contributing to the bottom line.
You are not required to include your date of birth on your
CV.
Make sure you are aware of how to use the latest technology.
There are plenty of courses (many that are free) to bring you up to
speed with computer programmes.
And remember, potential employers are most interested in your
most recent achievements, not on what you did 10 years ago.
Ross Boyce
I head the marketing recruitment division in Scotland, We
recruit permanent and contract marketing, communications
and digital roles across all sectors in Scotland.
More about Ross
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Stay marketable
Even when you're not looking for a role, you should always keep
your skills - and CV - up to date. So, when you are ready to move -
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