If you’re looking to make a career change successfully, especially if it’s into a field of work that isn’t immediately adjacent to the work you have been doing so far, then you need to make sure that you have something to make up for the experience you don’t have. Today, we’re going to look at some of the skills that can make the most impact on a resume and why they’re so widely welcomed.

Computer literacy:

This is a big one. For as much as many companies might be moving towards having bespoke apps that allow their teams to quickly carry out all kinds of functions without a need for traditional computer literacy, so much of the working world is still carried on the backs of things like Microsoft Office, Google Docs, and so on. What’s more, employers are finding that the younger generations actually have less computer literacy than their older peers, due to being raised on things like touchscreen apps, so the need for those who know how to handle a mouse, keyboard, and an operating system’s files and folders are in much higher demand now. Most businesses have some degree of digital component to them.

Emergency first aid skills:

Aside from needing people to fill the roles and responsibilities that help them carry out their business, selling products, and providing services, business owners also have certain obligations to live up to, legally. Their health and safety obligations are often at the top of these. Business owners tend to ensure that they have members of their team who, while they might have other duties, are able to help them meet these first aid requirements. As such, getting an online CPR certification not only makes you a great help in an emergency, but it also helps employers tick a box in their essential health and safety requirements. Of course, you want to keep up with your certifications to make sure that they’re up to date and that you’re actually able to perform them when it’s demanded.

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Verbal communication:

Regardless of your industry, there are many situations where good verbal communication can be vital: giving presentations, meeting clients and customers, contributing to team meetings, and much more. It can be difficult to demonstrate good verbal communication skills on your resume, but you can work on these skills with things like public speaking groups. From there, some of the proof is going to have to show in the pudding, especially during the interview process, but being a confident and capable speaker makes itself pretty clear in no time.

Understanding and analyzing data:

Businesses are relying so much more on data nowadays. Collecting data from customers, software, analytic tools, and more has become standard practice in a range of industries. You don’t have to be a data scientist to learn some basic data analysis. You simply have to be able to understand datasets when you’re looking at them to be able to pull out relevant data and make observations on trends in that data. This can be as simple as looking at social media analytics to see which posts are more successful in reaching your audience and why that might be the case.

Customer service:

Your ability to handle customers with the kind of care and attention that they need could make you a valuable hire in any career involving sales, customer outreach, or general support. While customer service might be a soft skill, that doesn’t mean that it’s difficult to demonstrate your aptitude in it. You can look at customer service training courses that can give you the chance you need to both build and showcase your dedication to the craft. A focus on skills like customer service shows that you have a mind for what is important for the business, not just within your role as a worker, which many employers find valuable, as well.

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Accounting or bookkeeping:

A lot of mid-size or bigger businesses will hire someone to specifically serve as an accountant to make sure that all of their financial and organizational needs are being taken care of. However, for smaller businesses, that can be more expensive than they are able to take on at that moment. Instead, you may find that they are willing to offer those responsibilities to those who are in general admin roles. Building some skills in using bookkeeping software can help you become much more attractive as an administrator. It’s important to know the difference between accounting and bookkeeping, however, and ensure that you don’t accidentally sell yourself as an accountant unless you’re chartered.

Social media:

You might not necessarily be applying for a marketing position, but more and more people are finding that their employers require them to be active on social media. Answering questions, putting out posts, and generally managing the brand’s online community needs to be done with a deft hand. You want to be able to balance friendly with professional and not lean too far in one direction or the other. Learning how to use different social media platforms can help you slip into all manner of roles easier. Combine that with the data analysis skills above and it can make you a very valuable hire, indeed.

Resume writing skills:

Now, this skill might not technically be one that you’re likely to include on your resume itself, but it is one that will make itself apparent throughout the entirety of it. Writing a resume well is all about being able to concisely convey the qualifications, skills, and other information that your potential employer wants to see. It’s not just about the text you write, but how you format it to make it more readable and digestible by the employer. An important skill to learn is how to cater your resume to the needs and wants of the specific employer.

Beyond the skills above, you need to make sure that you’re able to handle the recruitment process, be well-prepared for interviews, and sell yourself to be able to make the transition into a new career as smoothly as possible!

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