Covid-19 had a serious impact on the Philippines’ economy particularly on employment. As of December 2020, the unemployment rate already hit 17.7%, or equivalent to a total of 7.3 million Filipinos, who lost their jobs during the pandemic.

Factors contributed to these numbers are laying-off of people to lessen labor cost and closing down of companies due to lockdown.

With a lot of people looking for a new job, it’s already expected that applicants will flock to any opportunities they can see. This will heighten up the competition among applicants and lower your chances of getting that much-needed work. This is where you will start thinking about how to have an edge over the other applicants.

Upskilling as an edge

With the increasing need for skilled employees, employers are now looking for applicants who can offer them “more” aside from the listed job description.

Upskilling doesn’t only limit in improving your existing skills but also discovering and developing new skills that are marketable for employers.

By improving or developing your skills and knowledge, you are also increasing the chances of getting hired.

girl writing on blank notebook with laptop and mobile phone on the desk

What can you do to upskill?

Right now, you may be wondering already what and where to start upskilling. Let me enumerate some things you can do to help you finally land that job you’ve been eyeing

    1. 1. Make a list of your current skills

      Start by assessing yourself. You should know your own skill set and what knowledge you can offer to your future employers.

    2. 2. Research the skills that your target company is looking for in an applicant

      Although you are eager to land a job sooner rather than later, it shouldn’t be a reason for you to forward your resume in all job postings that you will encounter. As much as possible try to research about that company and the skills that they need for the position that you want to apply for. The interviewer will have a positive perception of you once they know that you are really prepared for that application.

    3. 3. Compare your current skills and the skillset with that company you’re interested in

      This step will let you know if you’re fit for the job or if you still need to learn a few skills to qualify. You don’t want to waste your time applying for jobs where you will hear “Sorry, your skills are not fit for the position”.

    4. 4. Find ways to develop and improve your skills every day.

      Skills don’t just develop or improve overnight. You have to work on it every day and practice it as often as you can. With this being said, you need to build a habit of learning anything to improve yourself.

Once hired, employees should also take the opportunity to upskill more. HR management usually sends employees to training and seminars. This is one way for them not only to improve their employees’ skills but also enhance employee’s welfare by equipping them with necessary knowledge and skills which they can use to do greater things while they are in the company. Upskilling can also be considered as an employee benefit seeing that the employee will be able to improve himself and can still utilize those improvements even after he leaves the company.

So even if you will land that job soon, do yourself a favor by continuing to improve your skillset and knowledge. You don’t know when you will need that “new-found” skill.