It is essential to always look for ways to improve yourself. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in May 2017, the unemployment rate was 4.3 percent. However, for individuals who lacked a high school diploma or equivalent, the unemployment rate was 7.8 percent. Your skills will make you stand out from the rest of the unemployed population. You may be wondering how you can identify your skills.
Upskilling can be challenging, especially when you don’t know where to start. However, the consequences of failing to improve might be dire. You could end up unemployed or underemployed.
Regardless of your chosen path, always remember that it is essential to continue learning and improving yourself. The more skills you have, the more opportunities will open up for you. Here are a few ways you can identify and discover your talents.
List Down Your Current Skills
Upskilling will always start with self-assessment. The first step is to sit down and list your current skills. Include both hard and soft skills. Examples of hard skills are programming, accounting, and copywriting. On the other hand, examples of soft skills are time management, teamwork, and leadership.
If this is your first time doing a self-assessment, it might be challenging to remember all your skills. Do not worry; there are several ways you can jog your memory. For instance, you can go through your old resume or performance reviews. You can also ask your friends and family members about your strengths.
Once you have listed down all your skills, the next step is to assess which ones need improvement. This situation is where education can help. You might be able to present yourself in a better light to employers when you have a degree or license to show for it. You can take certificate courses part-time to gain new skills without quitting your job in Singapore.
Join Industry-Specific Forums and Groups
If you want to know the latest trends in your industry, joining industry-specific forums and groups would be best. Doing this will also allow you to network with other professionals. When you’re in a meeting or group, take some time to read other people’s questions and answers.
You can also participate in discussions and offer your insights. Doing so can show off your expertise, leading to more opportunities. The active approach can help you discover your talents as well.
Apart from forums, you can also join professional organizations in Singapore. Doing so will allow you to participate in different events that can help improve your skills. For instance, some groups offer workshops and seminars on various topics.
Keep a Learning Journal
You might want to consider keeping a learning journal if you want a more systematic tracking of your progress. Doing this will also help you remember the things you have learned. Take note of the critical points in your journal whenever you attend a seminar tables or workshop.
A learning journal doesn’t have to be fancy. It can be as simple as a notebook where you write down the date, title of the event, and key takeaways. You can also include your insights and reflections.
Several apps can help you keep a learning journal if you want to go digital. Evernote, for instance, is an app that allows you to take notes and save them in the cloud. You can also add images and videos. The learning journal can help you identify your skills by allowing you to track your progress.
Practice Makes Perfect
Whatever you do, never stop practicing. It would be best to find a way to use your skills regularly. Doing so will not only help you keep your edge but also allow you to discover new talents.
For instance, start a blog or write articles for online publications if you want to improve your writing skills. If you’re going to sharpen your marketing abilities, try working on social media campaigns for local businesses. The point is to get as much practice as possible.
You can also join clubs or groups that focus on your chosen skill. For instance, there are several meetups and groups for writers in Singapore. Joining these activities will allow you to interact with other professionals and learn from them.
Final Thoughts
There are several ways you can identify and discover your skills. The key is to be proactive and never stop learning. When you do, opportunities will come your way, and you might be able to land your dream job. Joining industry-specific forums and groups, keeping a learning journal, and practicing regularly are some of the best ways to do this. Upskilling can also help improve your employability, so never settle for mediocrity.
