Do You Need to Reskill During Your Job Search? Here's How to Know and What to Do About It
In today’s fast-paced world, the job market is constantly evolving. Some traditional roles are being replaced or transformed by technology, automation, and changing industry demands. If you’re finding that the jobs you’re applying for require skills you don’t have or haven’t used in a while, it may be time to consider reskilling.
What is Reskilling?
Reskilling involves learning new skills to transition into a different role or to meet the demands of the modern workforce. This is crucial when your current skill set doesn’t match the evolving job requirements, especially in fields impacted by technology, like administrative roles, manufacturing, or customer service.
Why Is Reskilling Important?
Reskilling keeps you competitive in a rapidly changing job market. With automation taking over repetitive tasks and new technologies emerging, the need for certain skills has shifted. If you’re noticing that your applications aren’t leading to interviews or your field is shrinking, learning new, in-demand skills can make a big difference. It helps you:
Stay employable in changing industries
Increase your earning potential
Transition to more future-proof jobs
Boost confidence in your job search
How to Know if You Need Reskilling
Here are some signs that reskilling might be necessary:
Job ads don’t align with your current skills: You see job descriptions requiring skills you don’t have or haven’t practiced in years.
Roles in your industry are shrinking: Industries like manufacturing or administrative support are increasingly automated, leading to fewer job opportunities.
Difficulty getting interviews: If you’re applying for jobs but not hearing back, your skill set may not match current market needs.
What Can You Do About It?
If reskilling seems necessary, there are steps you can take to get started:
Assess your skills gap: Compare your current skills to the ones needed in your target industry or role. Online job boards and LinkedIn profiles of people in similar roles can help.
Set clear goals: Use OTWN’s Career Goals Worksheet to outline the skills you need to acquire and set short-term and long-term career goals.
Make time to learn: Reskilling requires dedication. Use OTWN’s Daily Scheduling and Time Maintenance Worksheet to block out time for online courses, workshops, or self-study sessions.
Leverage free resources: There are plenty of free or low-cost options to help you reskill, from online tutorials to certificate programs offered by platforms like Coursera or LinkedIn Learning. Explore what fits your goals and budget.
Practice your new skills: Apply what you’ve learned by building a portfolio, taking on freelance projects, or volunteering. This will help you gain confidence and demonstrate your new abilities to potential employers.
OTWN’s Free Resources for Support
OTWN is here to help you stay organized and motivated during your reskilling journey. Download our Career Goals Worksheet to outline your next steps and our Daily Scheduling Worksheet to manage your time effectively while learning new skills. With these tools, you’ll stay on track and focused on your career development.
Reskilling might seem daunting, but with the right approach and mindset, you can transform it into an exciting opportunity to advance your career. Stay positive, set your goals, and take action today!
