Learn These 5 Skills to Advance Your Career

One of the greatest benefits to living and working in the age of technology is having the ability to study almost anything imaginable online.

From getting a college education to learning to drive, you can find all the resources you need on the internet, which was never before possible.

Even a generation ago distance learning was a new and upcoming market, but today, eLearning is the norm rather than the exception.

Also Read: Why You Should Definitely Consider an Online College

Therefore, if you want to advance in your career, why not take advantage of the internet to learn these five skills that are sure to advance your career.

1. Written and Oral Communication

It doesn’t matter what your occupation is, communication accounts for a huge amount of what you do on a daily basis.

From learning more effective ways to communicate with peers to developing the art of writing project bids and applications for grants, both oral and written communications must be exemplary if you want to advance in your chosen career.

2. Driving Even If You Don’t Own a Car

Here is one that often goes unnoticed when trying to learn new skills to advance your career.

Many workers don’t feel the need to get a driving license as they don’t own a car and have no intention of doing so in the near future.

What would happen if your boss suddenly came up to you and asked if you could run an errand in the company car? Without a license, you’d be forced to say no.

You can practice the written theory tests online at toptests.co.uk and borrow a friend’s or family member’s car to practice on the road, but by all means, get that license.

You never know when an advancement will come up that requires you to drive as part of your duties!

3. Advanced Degrees and Certificates in Your Field

Never stop learning.

Bosses absolutely love employees who go the extra mile and continue learning within their field.

You may have started as an hourly worker but with a certificate or degree in hand, you might move on up quickly as a salaried employee with better pay, better benefits and above all, job security.

Your willingness to continue growing in your occupation proves to your boss that you are motivated and there is nothing a boss likes more than motivated employees.

4. The Art of Networking

Whether you are looking to advance in the company you now work for or will be looking to move on at some future point, networking is vital in today’s workforce.

You have probably heard it said that “It’s not what you know but who you know,” and believe it or not, this is very true.

If the right job opens up and you’ve networked the way you should have, your name might come to mind simply because you took the initiative to go out and build a strong professional network within your industry, if not your exact niche.

5. What It Means to Be a Mentor

Finally, mentoring is a skill that every boss respects.

As someone on staff who can take new hires under their wing, you will be an invaluable asset to your employer.

Mentoring is something which can be learned, so if you want to work your way into a position of leadership, learn to mentor first.

This is a key indicator that you are ready to move into a position of authority.

Volunteer first, get paid in the end.

Bottomline:

With these five skills you can continually advance in your career and who knows where your upward climb will lead you?

Never stop learning and you will never stop growing.

That’s the way to advance, and really, the only way to make a real difference.

The more skills you possess, the more valuable you are and that is the bottom line – value.