Job hunting, asking for a raise, or trying to expand our career options (or all three) are things that most of us will have to do at some point. Adding marketable career skills can help.
Use these skills to market yourself to a prospective employer, or convince your current one that you’re deserving of that promotion.
In-demand career skills can make you stand out. You might have some of those skills without even knowing it.
Hard versus soft skills
When it comes to increasing your marketability, it’s important to have a combination of in-demand “hard” and “soft” skills.
Hard skills are measurable skills built with education, experience, or repetition, such as typing speed, computer programming and foreign languages.
Soft skills are harder to measure, and that makes them more difficult to showcase for a potential employer. They include the ability to work well as part of a team, effective communication, flexibility and time management.
Demonstrating the combination of hard and soft skills in your work life and communicating them on your résumé increase your marketability, showing employers the value you bring to the job.
Here are a few skills that can increase your marketability.
Technological skills
Technological skills are in demand across all industries. A working knowledge of Microsoft Office (especially Excel), Adobe programs, and other word-processing and design programs expands your marketability by letting employers know that you won’t need to be trained to use basic programs.
Most programs, including Microsoft Office, include online tutorials, and experts often provide tutorials on YouTube and other streaming platforms.
The same goes for more specialized skills, such as computer coding — a very marketable skill, even for nonspecialists.
There are numerous online courses in coding, many of them free, both for beginners and those who already have a working knowledge.
Social media literacy
Most people these days have some basic social media literacy, with Facebook pages, Twitter and LinkedIn profiles, and Instagram accounts. It’s worth cultivating a social media presence that is accessible to your employer (whether current or prospective).
But do you know what SEO is? Can you create effective keyword searches or use hashtags? These are marketable skills that you can learn and add to your résumé.
Socially constructive activities
One way to demonstrate marketable soft skills such as teamwork, time management, and flexibility is through volunteer and charity work.
Those activities can show you’re good at working in a team (as in programs like AmeriCorps), time management (balancing your work, social, and volunteer life), and are willing to learn new skills.
It also shows that you’re a well-rounded, responsible person who cares about others. Many corporations even actively search for workers who volunteer. You can find information on programs via the National Service website, or through state and local charities and institutions.
Continuing education
Continuing education can expand your opportunities, especially if you’re looking to switch careers.
You can take classes in new subjects, gain business acumen, obtain a degree, and learn new, marketable skills. There are plenty of options for adults looking to get back into education.
Many colleges and universities now offer online or part-time options, and financial aid for continuing education students. It’s worth asking at your present job about educational support. Some companies partially or fully fund employees looking to go back to school or take classes that will improve job performance.
Continuing education also shows that you can manage your time effectively, especially if you’re working while also attending school.
The bottom line
It’s always worth acquiring marketable career skills, whether you’re actively looking for a job or not. They don’t just increase your marketability in a job search — they also contribute to your quality of life.
