Top Tips to Get Out of the ‘Upskilling Rut’

Feeling stuck in a job rut? We’ve all been there, one minute you’re perfectly happy in your job, still learning and being challenged and at the top of your game, and the next minute it starts to feel stale, average, normal and perhaps even a bit mundane.  An even worse feeling is when you start to research job roles and discover that world of work and skills has moved on, a new wave of employees have come along with snazzy new skills and cutting edge knowledge to make you feel…well, just a little ‘out of date’.

Fear not, our advice should help you to conquer your up skilling fears, and soon you will be using those newfound, refreshed skills like they’re not going out of fashion any time soon!

Make a list…check it twice

Make a list of roles that you would really like to apply for, or become qualified for, and write down all the ‘essential criteria’ that is required for each of these jobs.  Split them into two columns of ‘have’ and ‘don’t have’, and review the skills that you need to acquire in order to become suitable for this job.

Plan Plan Plan

Once you have a list of skills and/or experience which you require, the next stage is to make a plan! You need to work out how to get these skills, is there a course you can follow? Can you carry out some voluntary work to enable you to get this experience? Is your current employer willing to contribute towards the cost of courses that you follow? Be aware of where you are at, and where you would like to go.

Find your career hero

Sometimes it helps to speak to someone, the person who has done it all before, an individual who is already working in your dream job.  Arrange to meet with them for a coffee, ask them how they got to where they are, what advice and guidance can they provide to you? They might even keep you in mind when a job comes up in their company (don’t forget to connect on Linkedin!)

Keep reading

We are in the fortunate position where information is readily available to us everywhere we look.  Blogs, books, ebooks, online videos, articles and online courses all serve to help us on our way to upskill and enhance our knowledge.  From the list of skills you need to develop, identify one book or online course for each and get learning.

Meetup and network

Believe it or not, you’re not the only one trying to upskill and stay at the forefront of relevant knowledge, many of your peers are undoubtedly in the same situation.  Luckily, the business community organises lots of great events to keep you updated,  keep an eye on local ‘Meetups’  and events organised by the Federation of Small Business, Chamber of Commerce and your local Council to meet likeminded individuals and embrace the opportunity to enhance your knowledge.

Make the change!

A daunting prospect, but one that should be considered if the thought of up-skilling to advance your current career doesn’t particularly excite you.  It is a move that should be considered carefully, and planned out thoroughly.  Think about what makes you happy, what do you enjoy doing? What do you not enjoy about your current career choice? The change might not even need to be that different, think about the transferable skills that you have gained in previous employment, many of those can be brought to a new career path.

Up skilling broadens the mind and keeps your knowledge current, and it shows the prospective employer that you have a willingness to learn.  It doesn’t have to be a massive sacrifice in time, it is essential for the modern career.  Attending a short course or reading a book will kick-start what should be a rewarding journey to a fulfilled career.  Go get’m!

Would you like to speak to a specialist about working in Belfast? Wellington Professional Recruitment is a boutique recruitment agency specialising in IT and Engineering Construction roles.  To speak to one or our consultants on a confidential basis, or to find out more about how we can help, please contact us at info@wellington-rec.com or www.wellington-rec.com