Switching jobs/careers is not an easy task. While it’s simple to mindlessly apply for any job that catches your eye, recognizing your skill set and the skills you lack for your desired job play an important role. Consider your resume your personal marketing: The way brands use commercials, billboards and advertisements to grasp the attention of people in public and users on the internet. When you look at a piece of branding you might already know who they are, and if you don’t, their branding should explain this efficiently and quickly to you. This is what your resume needs to do for the employer. Especially if you are switching over to a new career.

Marketing yourself starts with a skills assessment:

What skills do you currently have, why are they valuable for the position you are applying for and are you confident in your skill set?

Begin With Thorough Research

If you are applying for a new position, carefully research the job you are applying for and really get a good grasp on what skills it requires. List the skills for this position that you have and can really own. Rate each skill on a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being your best). This should map out any gaps and help you decide if you are ready for this position, or if you need to start working on expanding your skill set. It’s also great to organize your skills by technical and soft so you can identify skills that really look impressive and are necessary.

With the research you have done to determine the skills required, you may have learned that you will need to take a course, speak with a mentor or possibly take a step back in your career for a less senior role so you have more opportunity to learn and grow your skill set in your new desired career.

Be Prepared
One really important factor for identifying your skills for a particular job is preparing yourself for a job interview. Especially if there are any gaps! An employer may test you on the spot to ensure you really know what you are talking about. It’s okay to say that you understand these specific skills are needed, but you are willing to work hard to learn and build your skill set as you grow in this career, so you can improve. Your research will have really helped you to understand your desired career and know exactly what is needed to grow, and an employer will want to know that you recognize what the gaps are between the skills you have and the skills that are needed to be successful at your new job. Positively speaking about the important skills, you already have and then introducing the idea that you understand XYZ is needed, but you are currently working on them, can be a huge win.

The employer may also want to know what you are currently doing to get these skills. Have a game plan ready to present. Even though you are skill working on developing the skills needed, doesn’t mean you must put-off your job search.

By doing a skills assessment, you are prepared and aware of what is needed for your career. This helps you stay focused and organized, but it can also really reassure an employer when you are in the competition for a position.