When it comes to looking for a job or chasing a promotion, your focus will be on crafting the most effective resume. Focusing on your job experience and your achievements can help convince your employer that you’re the best person for the job, but is there more you can do to sell yourself?
Whether you’ve got a wealth of career experience or you’re lacking in the skills department, there are things you can do outside of the workplace to enhance your career. Take a look at some of the following areas that can help you develop your skills and make you the best candidate for the job.
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Learn a language
Never underestimate the benefits of learning a second language. Not only does it open up the possibility of working abroad, but it shows to a potential employer that you’ve got the initiative and willingness to learn off your own back, which demonstrates commitment. Learning a language can be a fun hobby that can introduce you to new people and cultures, offering more to you than simply looking good on your resume.
Work on a skill that interests you
While you might have developed some excellent skills related to your job, is there anything you can work on that interests you and makes you excited? Having a hobby or a side hustle that helps you work on something you enjoy can actually turn into something relevant to your career that you might never have got the chance to learn at work. From becoming a better photographer to writing a blog, there are many things you can do to develop skills outside of the workplace. Working on these other skills can also help identify where your career interests really lie, allowing you to focus on getting a career you want and not just settling for what makes sense.
Volunteer
If you’re experiencing a period of not working, or you want to work on your skills further, then volunteering could be the answer. Communities and charities need people to offer their time, and what you get back from it can be extremely rewarding. Look outside of the obvious places to find good volunteering opportunities. Your local school can be a good place to offer your time – any teacher donation website will show you how much teachers can benefit from some additional help. Whether you decide to raise money or give your time to a good cause, you’ll not only have more to add to your resume, but you’ll enjoy some personal development too.
Your suitability for a job relies on more than just your job experience. Demonstrating that you’re well-rounded and have different skills and interests developed outside of the workplace can make you a more interesting candidate and could be what lands you the job. When building your resume, look beyond your previous work and skills and look to selling yourself as the whole package.
