Once you have worked in the same role for a while, it’s easy to stop developing. But if you want to improve career prospects, it’s vital that you continue to develop your skills. Knowing which skills to develop can be difficult. Below, we’ve put together a list of skills you should always look to develop if you want to get ahead in your career.
Communication skills
Communication skills are essential to anyone looking to progress their career. Those who lack communication skills will suffer if they look to take on management roles etc. So it’s vital that you take the time to develop in all aspects of communication, whether that’s by improving how you speak over the phone or adjusting your email etiquette
Time management
As you continue to develop in your career, you will likely end up with more responsibility and tasks to juggle. As your workload increases, you develop your time management skills. This skill is vital for increasing productivity in the office.
The best way you can tackle this skill is to pay close attention to how you already manage different tasks at work. Once you roughly know how long it takes to complete certain tasks, you can start to prioritise in a timely manner.
Public speaking
The more you progress in your career, the more likely it is that you might have to speak to a group of people at once. An easy way to do prepare for this is to get used to speaking in front of people regularly.
Public speaking is a crucial skill to have, and it requires a lot of self-confidence and practice. Although it might come naturally to others, it’s a skill that is sought after by many employers, so it’s a must have skill on your CV.
Handling criticism/feedback
We all dread feedback at one time or another. Whatever the outcome, it’s worth noting that how you receive this will not go unmissed by your manager or peers. Taking criticism on board positively is something that doesn’t come naturally to many, but can easily be changed. If a person demonstrates an attitude appreciative of feedback, it shows employers that you are willing to learn – which you should always be looking to do at work. Taking feedback negatively could suggest that you are stubborn and reluctant to adapt, so think twice before you push back…
Adaptability
Think you can be flexible at work? The ability to manage multiple assignments at the same time and being flexible enough to work under ever changing conditions is massively appreciated at any workplace.
Being able to adapt from one responsibility to another gives you a massive advantage – it demonstrates your commitment to a company.
What are the main causes of stress at work?
Workplace stress is extremely common and the sad truth is that it is on the rise. Recent figures from Friends Life show that last year alone 5 million workers were affected by stress.
How to handle a panel interview for marketing jobs
As in any job interview situation, a panel interview is your chance to show intelligence, confidence, interest and ability, and ultimately secure your perfect marketing job. So be focused and controlled, and you’ll get results.
How to impress with a standout marketing CV
So you are applying for marketing jobs and waiting for news of interviews. But is your CV good enough to impress the recruiters you approach? Sloppy grammar and a lack of basic information won’t help your cause. It’s also important to dazzle marketing managers with the right blend of personality and achievement, so here are some tips on how to put together a standout marketing CV.
UK Job prospects at six-year-high
Here’s some good news for jobseekers in the UK, including those working in sales and marketing. Job prospects for the final quarter of this year look their brightest for six years, a study has found. Jobs are being created in business services, engineering, finance, and green energy. In fact every sector apart from construction is hiring more people than they’re firing.
10 ways to stay motivated when job-hunting
Receiving rejection letters, emails and phone calls can be a tough part of the job-hunting process. Worse still are those days of hearing nothing at all from potential employers, even when you have slogged over countless application forms.
How do I return to marketing after a career break?
There are numerous reasons why marketing professionals might take a break from the profession, and return later in their life. There may be family commitments, a desire to work abroad for a while, or to try something different such as teaching or setting up an e-commerce business.
