Bridge the Skill Gap

Bridge the Skill Gap

By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter
Whether changing careers or jobs, this step is important. It will help you land more quickly if you take it seriously.

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I’m Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter. People hire me for No BS job search coaching and career advice globally because I make job search much easier for people.

Transitioning into a new career or changing jobs often involves acquiring new skills or enhancing existing ones. A skill gap analysis is the process of identifying the skills you currently possess and those required in your desired career. This step is essential for a successful transition. Here’s how to approach it:

1. Start with a Skills Inventory: Begin by creating a comprehensive list of your current skills. These can be both hard skills (technical, specific to a job or industry) and soft skills (interpersonal, communication, problem-solving).
2. Research Your Target Career: Thoroughly research your desired career to understand the skills and qualifications needed. Job descriptions, industry websites, and conversations with professionals in the field can provide valuable insights.
3. Identify Transferable Skills: Not all of your current skills will be irrelevant in your new career. Identify the transferable skills that can be applied effectively. For example, project management skills or strong communication abilities can be valuable in various fields.
4. Prioritize Skills: Prioritize learning the skills you need to acquire for your new career. Some may be more critical than others. Focus on the essentials to avoid spreading yourself too thin.
5. Education and Training: Determine whether formal education or training is necessary. This might involve pursuing a degree, enrolling in a certification program, or taking online courses. Evaluate the time and financial commitment required for such training. Not all skill development requires formal education. You can learn a great deal informally through books, online resources, and practical experience. Explore free or low-cost educational options.
6. Mentorship and Guidance: Look for advice from professionals in your desired career. They can provide insights into the most valuable skills and offer recommendations for skill development. Don’t just the advice from one person. Seek advice from several people and look for common recommendations and act on those.
7. Skill Development Plan: Create a plan for acquiring the necessary skills. This plan should include timelines, resources, and specific actions to take. Break the process into manageable steps.
8. Practice and Apply Them: Learning skills is only part of the process. You must also apply them. Consider projects, internships, or volunteer work to gain hands-on experience and build your skillset.
9. Feedback and Assessment: Regularly seek feedback on your skill development. Assess your progress and make adjustments to your skill gap analysis and development plan as needed.
10. Networking for Skill Acquisition: Your network can be a valuable resource for skill development. Connect with professionals who can provide guidance, mentorship, or even recommend learning resources.
11. Stay Up to Date: Skills requirements in many fields evolve. Stay current on industry trends and changing skill demands to remain competitive in your new career.
12. Celebrate Successes: Recognize and celebrate your achievements along the way. Successfully acquiring new skills is a big deal!

Remember that skill gap analysis is not a one-time process. It’s an ongoing journey throughout your career transition. As you progress and gain more insight into your new field, you may identify additional skills to develop or refine.

This step is instrumental in ensuring that you are well-prepared to excel in your new career. It bridges the divide between your current skill set and the requirements of your desired profession, making your transition smoother and more successful.

I’m Jeff Altman. Visit my website, JobSearch.Community. I have a lot of free information available to help you plus as an Insider, you’ll have access to all my other video courses, books and guides plus be able to ask me questions to which I’ll respond within 24 hours. As an Insider+ member, you’ll have all of that plus get me on 2 Zoom calls per month. As an Insider Premium member, you’ll receive all that plus we’ll do group or individual coaching.

Have a terrific day. Be great!

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