How to learn what skills you have and what skills you need for the job of your dreams

Making a decision to change careers or reassess your career can be confusing, intimidating, and even daunting. Quite often, the hardest part can be getting started. You may see jobs and careers that look like a good fit for you but knowing where to start, and how to use the skills you already have to pivot to those industries can feel challenging. This step-by-step guide will help you make a simple plan for your career change or upskilling journey.

Step 1: You have made the decision that you want a new job or career. Your reasons can be anything from job security, to low compensation, to company culture and lack of growth and development. We all have different reasons for wanting to change careers. The only action required in this step is gratitude because this decision might not have been an easy one, you should be proud of yourself!

Step 2: Now that you have made the decision.. what happens next? This is where things can start to feel overwhelming. How do you get to the career of your dreams, is it education, training, the right connections? You have come to the right place because SkillUp is an ecosystem of training providers and career support resources for your journey. The only action required is an open mind!

Step 3: Getting started (finally!) The best way to start (finally!) is to really get to know yourself. Quite often with our careers, we can get so busy with our job that we do not take time to check in with ourselves and sometimes getting to know yourself can actually really take you by surprise.

First, start off with this personality test from 16 personalities: Take Personality Test
This will help you learn more about yourself, your work style, how you like to communicate, how your process emotions, how you make decisions, and many other things. You might be surprised about what you learn!

Second, learn about the difference between soft skills and hard skills. This is important to learn because soft skills like people skills and communication skills are just as valuable as hard skills which can be more technical.
Learn about soft skills here.

Third, learn about your transferable skills and why they are important. You may have many skills that can be universal in any job, not just the job you are currently at or last work at. Follow this worksheet to uncover all of your transferable skills.

Lastly, learn about the benefits of upskilling and how it translates to changing careers. Upskilling is a fairly new term, but the idea behind it is not. Adding to your skills through short training programs and utilizing your existing skills while doing so, is a perfect example of upskilling. Traditionally, we have been taught that career jobs may require education such as a four-year degree. Organizations have realized that there is a demand for skilled workers and that opening up hiring to applicants who have taken specialized training can be just as fruitful as hiring someone with a degree. Many organizations have in fact removed a college degree as a requirement. Certification programs typically tend to focus on skills solely relevant to performing a role, since they are short in duration, and intended to prepare you to be in the working world so these types of jobs are no longer unattainable.

Learn more about SkillUp and our training catalog here