The current economy has made job-hunting a vital skill set for increasing numbers of people. But even in the best of economic times, it pays tounderstand what you can do to make yourself more appealing in the market place。
现在的经济形势使得求职成为越来越多的就业者需要具备的一项重要技巧。但即使是在经济形势最好的时候，要懂得如何使自己在人才市场上变得更有吸引力也需要付出代价。
Current careertrends suggest that an individual will change careers at least 7 times during a lifetime. This reality presents the opportunity to fulfill several of our aspirations. No longer do we have to chooseonly one road. Instead, we can visualize a broader map, and believe that we will likely come across those other roads some where down the line。
Increasing market ability is a sure way of being more prepared for a career change. The following are ten strategies for sharpening skills and increasing market ability:
1.Visualize. 想象
Set aside some timeto think about where you are in life, and where you want to be. Are you happy? What parts of your career excite you, and what frustrates you? Where do you want to be in five years? In ten? Give yourself permission to dream。
2. TakeInventory. 制作清单
What activities are you currently doing, both on the job and in your leisure time? What skills do they require? How would you rate your skills? Which ones need improving? How could you sharpen them? Which skills do you enjoy using, and which skills do you wish you used more often?
3. Update your resume. 更新你的简历
Regularly update your resume. Visiting a local career center or scanning currentresume books can keep your resume looking polished. You also may want to have resumes that highlight different skills. For example,you might have one specifically for management positions, andanother for advertising positions. Also, keep hard copies of yourresume close at hand and give it out freely。
4. Attend Workshops. 参加培训
Take advantage of workshops offered by your employer. Dare to go to a training session that doesn't "exactly fit" your job. For example, if yourjob requires computer skills, in addition to computer-relatedworkshops, consider attending a workshop on leadership. If yourorganization doesn't offer workshops, consider taking a course at alocal community college。
5.Cross-train. 交叉性训练
Make your currentjob more interesting and enhance your skills at the same time byvarying your job responsibilities. Continuously hone your skillsthat are transferable to other positions, corporations, and evencareer fields. Always be quick to volunteer for opportunities tolearn different skills。
6. Join committees. 参加协会
Committees are agreat way to network and to improve skills. Vary the committees onwhich you serve. Chair (成为领导者) a committee. Choose to be on acommittee that will challenge you intellectually, emotionally,skill-wise, etc. In other words, make a decision togrow。
7. Do something different. 做些不同寻常的事情
Been doing the samething for years? Maybe now is the time for change. Try somethingyou've always wanted to do, but for whatever reason, haven't yet.You'll learn more about yourself, enhance skills, make contacts,and feel alive again。
8. Make new contacts, strengthen the old. 结识新朋友，不忘老朋友
Net working is the primary way people get interviews. View every opportunity as anetworking one. The goal isn't to determine, "What can this persondo for me," but finding out what you and the other person have tooffer each other. Form. and maintain relationships at work, throughyour family, in social organizations, and in your community.Remember, you will need to nurture relationships through staying intouch with your contacts, sending cards, be alert to interestingarticles, and other "thinking of you" activities。
9.Volunteer. 志愿者工作
Volunteering canexpand your network and enhance skills. It's also an easy way totry out some of your career aspirations. Considering a careerchange that will take you out of the corporate world and into thelives of kids? Try volunteering at your local school. There's nocareer risk, just a chance to grow, learn about yourself and giveback to your community。
10. Createa Marketability Plan. 制作一份推销计划
Perhaps the mostimportant suggestion is to create a marketability plan. Take agood, hard look at yourself. Ask yourself the tough questions. "IfI were an employer, would I hire me?" Make a plan to increase yourmarketability. Which of these activities could you commit to tryingin the next month? Set a goal and a time-line, and getstarted!
