Expanding your skills to get or keep a job

So you have a job. But you are nervous. You knew who would be gone before you in 2009 but this is a new year and it’s fair game for who will be next. Don’t underestimate how tough this year is going to be. Nobody is safe. In fact, employed people might be at a disadvantage because the competition for that position that you saw while browsing Irishjobs.ie (just in case you were next), is now much fiercer than before.  Having a job now is like being in a relationship. You have to really work at it to keep it! You have to prove that you respect your job, care about it and desire it more than any other job in the world.

Generally, employers use some sort of tool when undertaking the unfavourable task of deciding on who and what roles are to be made redundant. While I have no proof, I would like to hazard a guess that somewhere in the mix is the consideration of what qualifications and skills people have. Being a charming, charismatic and friendly soul will get you plenty of places during the boom years. But in these recessionary times, it’s just as important to illustrate how your skills and qualifications are adding to the bottom line. Conversely, you could have enough skills and qualification parchments to paper your office but if you are not a nice person or a team player, you may well be a target. Companies now more than ever, need team players. People who are willing to ‘go the extra mile’ and if that means greeting your fellow colleagues in a less than grumbling tone, then that’s the only skill you need to practice. So there is a balance to be struck. And it’s up to you to examine where you sit and what skills and/or qualifications you should be gaining to bolster your chances of keeping your job, or finding a new one.

Fortunately, learning ‘people skills’ isn’t hard, and with some training, you could well be in that coveted position of being well qualified and well liked in a relatively short space of time.  It is also a less expensive need. Some good books are available on changing your behaviour and with some discipline you could save yourself a packet by spending some time reading and practising instead of attending a course on the topic.

On the topic of upskilling or reskilling, the options are many and varied. But before looking at those options consider your existing qualifications and how you might enhance them by becoming chartered in your field or aligning yourself with the professional body for that field. Have a look at what you need to do to improve your profile in terms of what you have contributed or can contribute to your industry. If you feel you do need a qualification, make sure you search thoroughly and compare curricula and prices.

And of course the old rules apply. Look busy. Be busy. Be on time; don’t be late coming back from lunch. Respect management and behave according to the company rule book. In other words, don’t draw attention to yourself for anything less than exemplary, innovative performance. A few short years ago it was an employees’ market and people chose companies. Now, however, companies are choosing from a very large crop of people. How will you stand out? Finally, similar to any healthy relationship, keep one eye on the job sites ‘just in case'...

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Monica Murphy