When Should You Update Your Job Skills?

With the U.S. economy still slumping and unemployment numbers barely moving forward, many workers may be considering what their employment future could be like if they were to lose their job. If you're in a healthcare field, or possess computer skills, you don't have much to worry about, except explaining why you left your last job. On the other hand, if you're employed in production or manufacturing, you may be asking yourself, "when should I update my job skills?"

If you're lucky enough to still have a job in this economy and you're pondering the future, you should consider updating your job skills immediately. Your current education level will determine what you should update. If you already possess a Bachelor's degree, examine what your skills deficits may be. For instance, are you up to date on computer programs commonly used in an office environment? If you want to make a move into healthcare, do you have medical terminology or CPR? Some states allow degree holders to get into teaching without having a related degree. Some may require a certificate. Your employer may even pay for your continuing education. Career colleges offer courses with flexible times so you can work and update your skills.

On the other hand, if you're one of the over eight million people who is currently looking for full or part-time work and your job prospects are not very good, updating your skills could be very important to your future. Again, you should assess your current educational inventory. Consider the industry you've been in and see if it makes sense to change. There are a lot of openings in sales, healthcare and computer related industries. Federal or state aid may be available to you for educational purposes.

Finally, if you feel safe in your current job, create a strategy of cross-training. Make yourself so valuable to your employer, that even if the job you hold now is eliminated, you could easily move to another one within the company. Advancing your computer skills is one of the best ways to do this. Improving your sales skills is another. By creating added value to your employer, you put yourself far down the list to be trimmed.

The answer to when you should update your job skills is - always. Whether you need to update the computer programs you know or train for a completely new industry, your ability to adapt to change will help keep you employed, both now and in the future.

Career Education Opportunities - www.top-colleges.com

About The Author

Max Stein, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

http://www.degreesource.com/articles

Max Stein is a freelance writer who writes about business, education and marketing.

For daily updates, read our blog at http://degreesource.blogspot.com

In The News:

pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Vocational Experts 7 Proposals to Solve the Unemployment Problem

The subject is constantly in the news and may decide... Read More

5 Characteristics of a Dynamic Loan Processor

Not everyone is cut out to be a mortgage processor.... Read More

How Can You Find Freelance Writing Jobs?

Do you think that there is a big sign that... Read More

Job Tips For The Frustrated Job Seeker

There is nothing more frustrating and depressing when you are... Read More

What is a Career Anyway?

A career is the sum total of all of your... Read More

Staying In The Game

The message came from Human Resources. There's nothing to worry... Read More

Cleaning Houses for a Living Has Some Unexpected Benefits

If you're looking for a way to earn a living... Read More

How To Deal With A Difficult Boss

Most people at some point in their lives have to... Read More

A Cover Letter Tip Guaranteed To Land You More Job Interviews!

Looking for a new job?I'm about to reveal one of... Read More

Resumes OR CV : Get That Job

Your resume is your sales document. It tells the world... Read More

Make Your Résumé Sizzle with Success Stories

In today's competitive job market you can't afford a résumé... Read More

Mystery Shopping

Mystery shopping is an excellent way to make extra money.... Read More

Does Retirement Fit Into Your Busy Schedule?

Why do you work?Stop and think about it. Other than... Read More

How to Make More Job Contacts Faster, through Viral Marketing

Are you in the job market? Sick of every blog-byte... Read More

Staying In Shape

Why Lawyers Should Eat Bananas by Simon Tupman is a... Read More

Job or Career

At this present time I have a job. It pays... Read More

Seminars: Why Are They Popular, and What Advantages/Disadvantages Are There to Attending One?

Seminars dealing with "special topics" have actually been around for... Read More

Your First Job

"Your first job is an extension of your education"Fresh out... Read More

Should I leave My Job?

Most of us have to work for a living. Since... Read More

How To Choose The Right Resume Format

After a thirty (30) second glance lots of resumes get... Read More

3 Ways To Succeed On Your First Job (Or Any Job)

You've heard the real estate cliché: the three factors that... Read More

When All Is Not Well With Work

When all is not well with work, what do you... Read More

What is Absolutely the Best Day to go on a Job Interview?

First of all, to fully understand and appreciate the answer,... Read More

Interview Preparation

The dreaded job interview is the Number 1 source of... Read More

Job Interviews & the Magic of Music

Can music help you with your next job interview? It... Read More

Working in Dubai

Dubai in the United Arab Emirates is one of the... Read More

Four Simple Steps To Better Results With Your Resume

Is every job description you read the same? No.Is every... Read More

Is Pursuing a Career in Patent Law the Right Move for You?

What's It All About? The field of patent law is... Read More

Listening for Interview Success

Yes I know that we usually think of interviews as... Read More

Cover Letter Warning: Watch Out For the BIG BAD WORD!

Dear Job-Seeker:Just as Goldilocks was suspicious of the big bad... Read More

Where Do I Go From Here?

Making Your Future Work Better For YouIt's the commonest concern... Read More

So You want to be a Bodyguard?

Then let me start by helping out. The politically correct... Read More

What A Former Stay At Home Mom Knows About Creating A Stunning Resume That You Dont

Recently I was asked to touch up a friend's resume.... Read More