Why skill development courses matter more now than ever
As technology evolves and industries transform, employers seek candidates who meet the basic requirements and demonstrate a unique set of advanced and practical skills.
The good news is skill development is becoming more and more attainable! Now, you can easily learn skills online at a reasonable price in the comfort of your home. And you can use a skills app to fit learning around your lifestyle with bite-size courses.
So, as you look for that dream job, think about what skills development courses you need to help you prepare for interviews, stand out as a candidate or perform at your current workplace. Here are the top 6 ways developing your skillset will propel your career progression.
1. Master interview skills
Interviews are an inescapable reality of applying for a job. But even the most talented candidates can lose out because they mismanaged the initial interview.
The key element to success is preparation. And being prepared is an important aspect of “selling” and “branding” yourself. You present yourself better when you control what to say and how to act at an interview stage.
Taking interview skill courses can help prepare for a range of questions the interviewer might ask. Some sophisticated courses even teach how to negotiate your salary and benefits packages.
2. Stand out with a specialized skillset
As the job market becomes increasingly saturated, standing out is crucial. Developing specialized skills can set you apart from candidates with basic or minimum qualifications.
For example, if you dream of working in hospitality — take a front desk operations course to stand out for a receptionist role. And, if your goal is to progress to that managerial role in a corporate job – take presentation skills courses to future-proof your skillset.
3. Expand skills base and career prospects
In 2023, a study from LinkedIn revealed that employers are increasingly more interested in skills than degrees when hiring.
A well-rounded skillset increases your employability across various roles and industries. Whether it's mastering a programming language, improving your communication skills, or becoming proficient in project management. Each added skill broadens your career prospects.
4. Demonstrate initiative with a skill development focus
Employers appreciate candidates who take the initiative to upskill, as this demonstrates drive and desire for personal and professional growth. A proactive skill-learning approach not only boosts your chances of landing a job but also signals a potential for long-term success within the organization.
For example, building out general capacity by taking soft skills courses shows a commitment to self-improvement and developing essential interpersonal abilities such as communication, teamwork, and adaptability.
5. Stay ahead with industry knowledge
Industries are becoming increasingly specialized, with specific skill requirements becoming more pronounced even for entry positions. To align with this, it is crucial to stay informed about the specific skills that are in-demand in your chosen field.
By continually acquiring and honing new skills, you position yourself as an asset capable of meeting the evolving needs of the industry.
6. Enhance problem-solving skills
Many employers prioritize candidates who can think critically and creatively to solve challenges. In a LinkedIn report, 89 percent of recruiters admit that less successful hires tend to be lacking in problem-solving and soft skills. A well-developed skillset provides you with the tools needed to approach problems strategically, making you an asset in any professional setting.
Taking skills development courses has wider benefits to acquiring technical expertise; continuous learning enhances your problem-solving abilities. For instance, skill learning apps and online skills courses frequently employ gamification to engage users. And educators argue that gamification promotes critical thinking.
Choose a suitable skills development course
When it comes to choosing the right skills development course, it's imperative to find the right course for your needs and budget. Learn skills online with the Ascentify app, which offers over 91 courses, including:
- Interview skill courses
- Customer service courses
- Soft skills courses
- Front desk operations courses
- Conflict management courses
- Sales skills courses
There is also a variety of English language courses to improve your listening, speaking and writing and help you prepare for English exams.
Start your free trial today! Download Ascentify app on Google Playstore.
