Building a portfolio of skills and projects is essential in moving forward with in a career. There are certain abilities that employees can cultivate to make them more valuable within a small company or corporation. For those in between jobs, look into practicing these skills within a volunteer or contract basis, and provide vivid examples of experience gained on future resumes and cover letters.
1. Interpersonal Savvy
Connecting and communicating with employers, colleagues, and clients is not purely transactional. There are in-person interviews, negotiations, briefings, business emails, and phone etiquette to navigate. If an employer offers training on more effective communication and workflow, make sure to participate. Whenever an interaction seems like it will remove someone from their comfort zone, make sure to participate and turn the experience into something educational. Review these Learn.com key points on interpersonal savvy and get some practice.Â
2. Social Media and Networking
Marketability and awareness rise with employees who are savvy at social media and networking. Building connections and bridges between organizations and people often happen online, with Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Scour job boards for upcoming talent and enhance a workplace with employees who are great in their fields.
3. Coding and Development
Employees can develop an invaluable specialty skill in their spare time – coding for apps and web. It is easy now to learn HTML online with a variety of free and low-cost tutorials on the web. Learning up-to-date HTML, CSS, and Javascript can help an employee contribute further to a company’s web presence and profitability.
4. Organization
Maintaining order within an office setting can help increase workflow productivity and reduce errors in the workplace. Take the initiative to partner with office IT support and work on organization systems. Work with teams to organize client files, account manage, and create instruction manuals to streamline best practices.Â
5. Typing
Typing is an often overlooked skill that employees can always improve upon. Try a typing test online to see how accurate and quick an employee’s typing actually is. Brush up on data entry skills, review workflows for Excel and Word, learn keyboard shortcuts during spare time to boost productivity.
6. Business Acumen
Knowing the business atmosphere in the area can clue employees into upcoming social and data trends. Read the local business column of the newspaper, watch news sources like Mashable.com and TechCrunch to stay on top of major updates and releases for work technologies. Having current info on the newest databases, point of sale systems, SEO strategies, and client management solutions is an invaluable skill for employees.Â
7. Team Coordination
Collaborate with peers on advancing a project or improving the workplace. Use collaborative tools like Microsoft SharePoint or Google Business Apps to get everyone organized and on the same page.
8. Project Management
This shows quintessential leadership and organization skills. Start up a project with colleagues or contracted help and develop a project plan. For web-based projects, look into Jumpchart and Springloops.
9. Time Management
Keeping track of time and pacing work is a highly sought after skill. If contracted for a project, look into mobile time clock apps such as TimeStation. Take a few minutes of breather time between work loads to refresh.Â
10.        Leadership
Even if an employee is not the top dog in an office, initiative and project leadership will elevate a group no matter what. Cultivate an outside hobby and work with a team to develop an app or web presence. Practice leadership skills by looking for collaborative opportunities at work and thinking of new project ideas.
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