1. What am I interested in learning more about?
Getting started can be the toughest part of any journey, so it’s good to begin with something you have always been interested in.
List all the areas you have an interest in and do an online search to find resources you can tap on.
Start with something that calls out to you — this can be a course, workshop, webinar, or podcast. It doesn’t have to be directly related to your work; you’ll never know when these additional professional skills will come in handy.
2. What will make me shine at work?
You need to keep the momentum going and for many, the best way is to learn something relevant to your work, so you can easily see the immediate payoffs of your learning efforts.
Identify areas of your work that you’re already good at, explore what will make you stand out more, and focus on improving yourself within these areas.
Read Also: 5 Ways to Show Up, Shine and Succeed in the Workplace
3. What will make me less frustrated at work?
Upskilling doesn’t just have to be about learning new things — it can be about re-learning too. Take some time to think about what frustrates you the most every day.
Is it your overflowing inbox, or your ever-growing to-do list?
Is it spending large amounts of time on tedious administrative tasks, or perhaps communicating effectively with others?
Once you’ve identified the “weak links” in your daily work, find out how to improve.
This could include reaching out to a colleague to find out how they complete their administrative tasks quickly or reading articles on how you can manage your time more effectively.
Find your next job role on MyCareersFuture. We have over 80,000 job opportunities daily for you.
4. What will help me develop a competitive advantage outside my job?
Even if you see yourself staying in your current role for the long term, your career goals should not be tied to your job and company.
In the long run, what do you see yourself doing and what are the skills needed for you to work towards your goals?
If you’re looking for roles in customer service, data analysis, project management, recruitment, supply chain and sales development, LinkedIn’s new Skills Path service allows you to upskill with free courses, and validate these skills with assessments, to help you become more noticeable to potential employers.
The online learning market is rapidly growing and will only continue so. Whether you’re planning to learn a new skill in your free time or further your knowledge in the industry, online learning presents stellar opportunities to do so.
5. Am I thinking holistically?
While it’s good to have specific upskilling areas to work on, make sure you’re considering the bigger picture and not leaving out opportunities for improvements.
Evaluate whether you are too focused on the soft skills and not enough on the hard skills, or vice versa.
Are you exploring all the resources that you can by tapping on, or mostly just relying on a single approach?
Are you challenging yourself enough, or perhaps challenging yourself too much such that it’s unsustainable in the long run?
Upskilling is a long and continuous journey, so make sure it’s sustainable, personally interesting, and provides growth in various aspects of your professional life.
This article is contributed by Robert Walters Singapore.
