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Retraining and Retooling for Your Next Job |
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Written by Anthony Michaelides
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In a tight job market, where employers are calling the shots and picking and choosing from a competitive pool, it is important that your skills stand out above other job seekers. We all have different areas that we can improve in, and it’s important to identify these areas so that we can begin the process of retraining and retooling ourselves. To some, this will come easy. For others, it can be an ongoing lifelong process.
Here are three of the more common areas job seekers can address to get them headed in the right direction:
Computer Skills — The majority of job openings require, at minimum, two
basic programs, MS Word and Excel. Many older job seekers I speak with
are in need of some computer skills updating. This can be easily
addressed by enrolling in a semester class at the college, or a shorter
series of workshops or seminars on basic computer programs. These can
usually be found through the college’s Community Extension Program, the
City of Santa Clarita’s Seasons Magazine, the CA WorkSource Center and
a number of Internet sites and computer tutorials.
Communication Skills — These skills are highly desired by employers.
These include both written and verbal, and can include employee to
coworker, to supervisor and to customer. When speaking, be sure to
project your voice clearly, and practice being concise with your
message, especially when sending emails. Also, be sure to avoid slang
or text messaging language when communicating with anyone at a
professional level. Taking a speech class, writing class or a workshop
on business communications could fine-tune these skills.
Personal Presentation — This area includes personal appearance, your
resume, the interview, etc. How are you presenting yourself to
potential employers? Do you project the image of a professional who
has showed them the courtesy of dressing appropriately, or someone who
walked in off the street looking for a job? Is your resume customized
to their position? Do your interview answers address the needs they
have listed in their job description? The college’s Career Center can
help you most with this area.
There are obviously many other improvement areas to consider. Contact
the College of the Canyons Career Center at 661-362-3286 to schedule an
appointment with a Career Advisor to start your retraining process.
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