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

---

Preparing For Your Job Interview: What You Need To Know To Be Successful

In the limited time an interviewer has with you, their... Read More

How To Survive A Job Loss

Has this ever happened to you: You have been working... Read More

Ten Things To Do If You Really, Really Hate Your Job

1. Begin focusing on what you want instead of how... Read More

Tips for Handling On the Job Setbacks

If you've chosen a business career, you will inevitably experience... Read More

Top 5 Tips for College Grads Entering the Working World

1) Build a Relationship With Your Boss:Like it or not,... Read More

Effective Resume and Cover Letter Writing - Part One

To begin, make a decision to discard any former knowledge... Read More

Hiring Managers: Preventing ?Fall-Off?s? and Counter Offers

"Bill, thanks so much for your assistance with this search.... Read More

The Right Way To Send Your Resume

Having a great resume is the first critical step in... Read More

Recruiters for MSN or Data Miners?

Is Kenexa recruiting for Microsoft or just mining for data?I... Read More

Reinventing Yourself for Multiple Careers

In many countries around the globe, people are born into... Read More

Knowing and Guessing

The line between average and exceptional work performance is dotted... Read More

Image and Style Count

When I was a child, there was a pool nearby... Read More

What is Experience Anyway?

I learned in first grade that one plus... Read More

Cross Cultural Interviews

At this moment in time, the increase in cross border... Read More

How Can You Find Freelance Writing Jobs?

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

Resumes, Networking, Headhunters ? Useless Without Marketing Sweet Spot

A career transition is no longer about getting your hands... Read More

The Best Business And Economy Solutions

In todays Business and economy, starting any business service requires... Read More

The Top 10 Reasons to have a Career Coach

Many people in the last decade have experienced for themselves... Read More

How NOT to Write a Resume

You can learn a lot about how to do something... Read More

Successful Job Seeking ? The Importance of Your Cover Letter

As an employer I receive many job applications each week.... Read More

Closing the Gap on Your Career Goals

If you still picture a steady progression up the ladder... Read More

Career Change - Is Your Career A Good Fit Or Is It Causing Pain?

Do you leap out of bed in the morning looking... Read More

Career Success Through Self-Marketing

Marketing shouldn't be limited to advertising companies. Finding a job... Read More

Building Performance Trust

You can have outstanding ideas, yet never leverage them into... Read More

175 Power Verbs and Phrases for Resumes, Cover Letters, and Interviews

While you're revamping your resume or cover letter or constructing... Read More

Resume Writing - Tips and Advice

Job-hunting is not the most exciting thing in the world... Read More

What Me? Lie On My Resume? Who Will Know?

The temptation to lie on a resume is great! How... Read More

Six Sure-Fire Ways to Get Yourself a Pay Rise

Many employees do not care too much for their bosses... Read More

Career Change: From Suits & Sales to Boots & Rails

Peter Humleker had it made. As the general manager of... Read More

Hair Dressing as a Career

Since the world started hair has been a very important... Read More

College Labor is Available in Ohio

Ohio has always been big on education and that means... Read More

Q & A How to Find a Great Search Firm

Q & AQ: Are people sometimes cautious of 'headhunters'?A. Yes.... Read More

Background Checks: How They Can Determine Whether You Get Hired or Not!

Background checks are utilized by companies today to decide whether... Read More