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Being able to stand out in today’s crowded job market is more crucial than ever. Possessing certain unique skills is one way to make yourself more attractive to employers. While employers value soft skills like communication and problem solving, a lot of employers are more drawn to hard skills. These are technical abilities that can be proven through qualifications, demonstrations and knowledge. While some hard skills are very niche such as scuba diving and tree surgery, others can have a surprisingly large scope. Here are just a few hard skills that could open up an array of careers.
Foreign languages
Speaking a foreign language fluently can open up all kinds of careers. In the tourism industry, foreign language speakers are highly sought after as tour guides and travel consultants. Within the field of education, there are many jobs that use foreign languages including secondary school teachers, tutors, international student advisors and English teachers working abroad. As for general business, a growing number of companies are now taking on the international market and therefore foreign language skills are becoming a sought after asset. Many large corporations have huge teams of interpreters, ambassadors and sales reps who have the jobs of working with foreign clients or foreign branches. Then of course there are many jobs within politics and journalism. All in all, learning a foreign language could provide a huge boost to your employability. Some of the most in-demand languages include Spanish, French, German and Mandarin.
Driving
Knowing how to drive a car is a skill that many of us take for granted. Beyond obvious driving jobs like delivery driving and taxi driving, there are many jobs centred around other skills that still require candidates to drive including real estate agents, carers, auditors and various sales jobs. Driving allows you to more easily carry out jobs that require you to be mobile. Being able to drive can also expand your options when it comes to jobs that you’re able to commute to - you don’t have to worry about poor public transport links or cycling for miles. All in all, learning to drive could be a valuable way to unlock more career options if you’re currently struggling to find the right job. And of course you can open up even more careers by learning to drive a lorry or bus.
Coding
Being able to code is also a versatile skill in today’s increasingly digital world. Jobs that typically look for coding experience include web development, software engineering, data science, system administration, IT support, UX design and cybersecurity analysis. Many of these jobs are highly paid and many of them can be worked remotely. Just what are the best programming languages to learn to open up your career options? Python, JavaScript, C and C++ are a few languages worth choosing from. You can learn many of these online or take in-person local classes.
First aid
It’s legally compulsory that every company over a certain size has a trained first aider on shift. Therefore, knowing first aid skills can be a great way to improve your employability. Knowing first aid skills like ACLS can even be vital to some careers such as lifeguarding and mountain rescue, and may even be enough to get you into some healthcare careers. Are there any courses in ACLS near me? There ought to be - local first aid courses are becoming much more popular. There are also many online first aid courses that can teach you the skills you need and provide you with qualifications.
Photo editing
Photo editing is also a sought after skill - which is possible to learn yourself without taking a course. Youtube videos can teach you everything you need to know about photo editing. This skill is becoming increasingly desired in many media and marketing jobs. Graphic designers are expected to know this skill and even some copywriting roles now demand this skill. Of course, this is a must-have skill if you want a career in photography. Adobe Photoshop remains the most popular photo editing software, but there are other programs you can learn to use too.
Copywriting
Most of us know how to write. However, copywriting is its own skill - this involves being able to write in a professional style in order to achieve certain goals such as increasing sales or boosting search engine rankings. Having copywriting skills can get you into all kinds of careers including social media marketing, PR, advertising, email marketing, SEO and web development. You can take courses in copywriting or learn the ropes yourself. Being able to provide proof you can write copy to employers is vital - starting a blog or taking up voluntary writing jobs can be a great way to build up this experience.
Data analysis
A growing number of companies are starting to realise the power of data. Being able to analyse huge swathes of data and identify trends is a valuable skills that can help in many areas of business including marketing, risk assessment, financial forecasting, security and scientific research. There are courses you can take in data science and data analysis that can teach you how to use data analysis tools and organise data.
Plumbing
When it comes to trade work, plumbing remains an in-demand skill. On top of working for a general plumbing company, having plumbing skills could help you to access more niche careers such as steamfitting, drain maintenance and civil engineering. Many construction firms also value labourers with plumbing skills. Explore plumbing courses in your area or get a job at a plumbing company as an apprentice.
Electrics
Got an electrical licence? Beyond becoming a general electrician, your electrical skills could help you get your foot in the door of many other specialist careers. This includes careers such as solar panel installation, EV charger installation, auto electrical repairs, appliance repairs, electrical product design and server maintenance. You may have to take extra courses to acquire the credentials to work in each of these careers, however basic electrical knowledge will give you a headstart.
