Yahoo Finance Top tips to make yourself more employable
From those on furlough to those feeling a salary pinch, people across the UK are struggling with their employment situation.
With this in mind, personal finance experts Ocean Finance shared some top tips for enhancing your employability and job prospects.
Eight easy ways to enhance your employability
1. Learn new skills
If you know what job you want, find an advertisement for this role and analyse the qualifications or skills they require, the experts advised.
This way, you know exactly what improvements you need to make and what you need to be able to add to your CV.
You can also find free courses on Open Learn, which is run by the Open University, or Class Central, which is run by Ivy League universities.
Alternatively, you can use Dash – is a free web development and coding course.
2. Read and research
Make sure you're learning as much as you can about the industry you want to work in.
If you don’t have any spare time to dedicate to a course, you could try more informal, bite-sized learning.
Subscribe to relevant newsletters and trade guides, as well as podcasts, to stay informed of your interested sector.
READ MORE: How average wages compare by age and region across the UK
3. Learn a new language
Speaking another language, even to a basic level, can make you stand out against other competitors – especially if it’s of relevance to the job role, the experts said.
You could try using the free app Duolingo to teach yourself a second language.
Alternatively, try Hellotalk – another free resource that pairs you up with a native speaker of your desired language to help you learn.
4. Volunteer
The UK is in greater need of community than ever before amid the COVID-19 crisis.
Not only will volunteering in these testing times look good on your CV, it will help society, too.
If you have an existing skill set, you could use this to help people – for example, running free online tutorials.
5. Contact recruitment agencies
“[Recruitment agencies] have staff who are specialists in specific career areas and can keep a lookout for exciting opportunities,” said Ocean Finance.
READ MORE: Young Brits think they will have to work until they're 70 years old
6. Take up a new hobby
Starting a podcast or a blog could be a good way to showcase your communication skills, the experts suggested.
Even classic pastimes like knitting could lead to setting up a “side hustle” for the moment.
“These are all things that will look good on your CV,” OceanFinance said.
7. Work on your CV
Really take the time to make a list of everything you’ve achieved in your last job role – and explain how these skills can be transferred to the job you want in the future.
8. Hone your interview technique
Spend some time practicing for future job interviews. To do this, think of questions that relate to your achievements, failures, future goals, and more – and then answer them.
“Make sure to use the STAR method – situation, task, action and result – for full effect,” the experts added.
Watch: COVID-19 – US weekly jobless claims near a million amid virus resurgence
