When you’re searching for a job, it may seem counterintuitive to stop applying and start learning instead. But taking the time to upskill could do wonders for your CV. Technology skills are so transitory, their half-life is now only five years. That’s why continuous learning is so important.
Ines Garcia has been doing just that for years. Now an Agile coach, Garcia is constantly looking for new ways to evolve her skillset. In a relentlessly changing world, it’s essential, she says. “One of the challenges to constantly be upskilling is that it's a journey, not a destination,” says Garcia. “It doesn't happen by osmosis, either.” You have to put the effort in.
Garcia does a lot of her learning on Salesforce’s free online learning platform Trailhead, which offers guided learning content that spans Salesforce, tech, business and soft skills. “I highly recommend setting time aside, blocking it out in your calendar, so that you allow yourself that headspace,” she says. Trailhead has a variety of learning pathways, from expert-led video sessions on Trailhead LIVE to fast-paced modules with hands-on challenges that cater to every level, from industry beginners to experienced professionals.
Once you’ve learnt it in theory, you need to put it into practice, which is something Trailhead also has built in. One module, for example, asks students to use the skills they’ve learned to optimise a real-estate app for Mars. “It's a way to solidify your knowledge and take it a step closer to wisdom,” says Garcia.
Upskilling is a great way to keep your skills fresh, which is especially important in the post-pandemic economy. An LSE study found that one in ten young people in the UK lost their jobs because of the pandemic, so there are a lot of people looking. If you’ve mastered the most up-to-date skills, that gap in your CV won’t be so noticeable.
When you’re upskilling on your own it can be hard to motivate yourself to keep going. This is especially true if the content is dry, which, let’s be honest, a lot of technical programs are. It’s important to find a course that isn’t going to get tedious. James Townsend, an associate consultant at Slalom, found that motivation in Trailhead’s gamified modules, which earn you badges as you progress. “It has me hooked – which means that I want to continue upskilling,” he says, adding that he’s on track to earn 100 badges. In fact, Trailhead’s mobile app, Trailhead GO, sends out daily reminders to keep you motivated. Add that to the encouragement, support and career advice of Salesforce’s Trailblazer Community, and you’ll never want to stop learning.
“Ultimately, these newfound skills are what entice me to continue this path,” says Townsend. “It's a great way to learn in terms of being able to read up on all the information, while also being hands-on and practical at the same time.” Working life is changing, and it’s happening a lot faster because of the pandemic. To keep up, we have to grow too. As Garcia reminds us: “Practice makes perfect.”
Looking for a new job? Salesforce’s free online learning platform Trailhead has a plethora of free learning pathways that will help set your application apart. For more information, visit Trailhead.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
