Why am I writing about tech skills on a lifestyle blog? This isn’t one of my typical article topics but your career is a big part of your life. Especially because you spend so much of your time at work.
I’m writing this article because finding a work life balance and finding work that you are passionate about can raise your quality of life. It can lead to less stress, a greater sense of purpose, and therefore more happiness. Not to mention how gaining new skills can raise your salary and help you feel more stability financially.
If you are looking to change or advance your career, here are some ways you can boost your resume without paying a lot of money for courses or dedicating too much of your valuable time. (AKA teach yourself these skills that are free or inexpensive with online resources)
This list of skills will be most useful for business professionals or creative people. In particular individuals interested in digital career options like Social Media Management, Content Creation, or Data Analytics. These are currently in demand careers.
Without further ado…
Microsoft Office Suite
Microsoft programs are essential to any office or business environment. Whether you are typing up reports in word, making tables in excel, or making a PowerPoint presentation these skills are expected by employers today. If you want to brush up on your skills or bulk up your resume consider getting certified. Right now you can take a certification test at a discounted rate thanks to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Click the link below to read about the initiative and the demand for digital skills!
WordPress Software
You may think of WordPress as a blogging software, which technically it is, but it is so much more. WordPress is a software used on millions of sites. That’s right. Millions. If you can take the time to learn how to use this software, opportunities could really open up for you.
If you’re interested in doing freelancing or a side hustle, being able to use WordPress is a great skill to market. WordPress offers free resources like these, so training yourself on the software has never been easier!
I taught myself how to use WordPress to create this blog. By starting this blog I was able to get real-life experience using WordPress. Remember, skills are great but you also need to get experience with your new skills. Start your own blog today to get experience using WordPress!
Click here to read my article on How to Start a Blog!
Google Analytics
Google Analytics is a skill that is growing in demand. It’s used for tracking all things on the internet like site stats, marketing campaigns, and audience demographics. Google analytics offers free courses at beginner and advanced levels.
Google analytics is also a great place to start if you’re interested in the increasingly important field of data analysis. After one course of google analytics you’ll be able to find out if a career in data is for you.
Click here to check out the Google Analytics Academy to sign up for a free online course!
Basic Graphic Design
Learning graphic design programs is a great way to diversify your digital skills. Being able to create effective visuals for your ideas can open a lot of doors. This is also a great way to increase your communication skills. Some programs to check out are Canva, Adobe Illustrator, Publisher, and Photoshop.
Careers like Social Media Marketing, Content Creation and Brand Management all require at least a basic knowledge of graphic design. I have used Illustrator and Publisher since my business courses in high school. I currently use Canva for my blog graphics.
Canva is an online design platform that allows you to upload your photos and create beautiful displays. Canva has design templates with the size measurements for posts on different social media platforms. It allows you to make posts for each platform at the required size and quality for effortless posting.
Canva recently announced a content scheduler and constants adds new features to remain the best design platform. The basic version of Canva is free and Canva Pro is $12.95. Canva Pro offers added features like more fonts, photos, animations, and templates.
I recommend Canva Pro for any brand or small business owners as you have a lot more freedom on the things you can create and the looks you want to achieve.
Click here to check out Canva and Canva Pro!
Photo Editing
Photo editing is a great skill to learn especially if you want to go into content management or marketing. Both are very media focused and utilize powerful photos for portraying brands. Some programs to learn for photo editing include: Lightroom or Photoshop.
Most of the time your laptop or computer will come with a basic editing program in your photos app. Another place to test your editing skills is through Instagram editing features.
Lightroom is increasingly popular. Lightroom allows you to create presets which allow your photos to have the same look or feel. This is invaluable when branding.
Photoshop is really a versatile platform. You can do all sorts of graphic design and editing with Photoshop but a subscription for the software can be pricey.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Search Engine Optimization is one of the most important skills to learn in today’s digital landscape. Knowing how to make posts and articles searchable with the constant influx of new data is crucial to digital sucess. Keyword research is also a great skill within SEO that will make your SEO strategy sucessful.
I was able to participate in a free webinar through a Wisconsin Women in Business group (Wisconsin Women Business Initiative Corporation). The group has been a great resource to me. I suggest seeing if your state has any entrepreneurship groups or programs available as the lessons and courses they teach can benefit many business professionals. Most of the information provided is free!
Click here to check out WWBIC or Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation.
Content Creation & Social Media Management
Learning how to create effective social media posts, like Pinterest pins, Tweets, Instagram, and Facebook posts, could actually turn into a career. Social media manager positions are often times remote allowing you to work from anywhere with WiFi. This location freedom is one of the greatest benefits of having a remote position.
The key to successful social media management is engagement. By making content that people value and want to interact with you can create a very successful campaign and launch your career in social media. Almost every brand out there will need a social media manager to manage or create content and stay connected with their customers.
Learning how to use social media scheduling tools and how to create engaging content is as easy as starting an social media account and testing out different content. Then you can begin to see what works and what doesn’t.
Checking out popular social media profiles can give you some idea of what they do to find success online. For example, you may be able to see how often they post, what hashtags they use, and the overall tone they use to connect with their followers.
Above I mentioned that Canva has a new content planner feature. Click here to check it out!
E-Commerce
Running an online shop with Shopify or WooCommerce could lead you to job offers. Especially with the most recent pandemic, the number of companies utilizing E-commerce has dramatically increased.
When businesses were forced to physically close, they switched to online purchasing systems to keep revenue coming in. Any experience in E-commerce could give you a leg up on your competition when applying for your next job.
Email Marketing
Email marketing is a tactic that all companies should take advantage of. Recipients of your marketing emails are you top fans. They not only think your brand or company is cool but they actively want information about your sales, deals or updates! It acts as the simplest and most effective form of lead generation.
The power to find clients for a company is a extremely valuable skill. Being able to send emails that customers want to read? Now that is even more powerful. Try out a few email marketing platforms and try your hand at making beautiful and captivating email campaigns.
The links below are platforms I have used! Click the links to give them a try! Constant Contact offers a free 30-day trial and the basic ConvertKit plan is free!
Click to check out Constant Contact!
Click here to check out ConvertKit!
Video & Audio editing
Video and Audio editing are both skills that can increase your value in a creative field. With the growing need for interactive and visual media these are skills in demand. Pro Tools or Garage Band are both audio editing apps used for music production or podcasts.
For video editing, try learning Apple iMovie or Adobe Premiere Elements. Whether you decide to try out video or sound editing, just know that both take precision, patience, and practice. Learning either of these skills would give your resume a boost and help you land a career in media.
Data Analytics Software
Data analytics skills are in HIGH demand. Jobs in data pay great and the work itself is extremely valuable to whatever company you work for. Data analytics is the future of business.
A Data Analysis role is essentially managing data and being able to manipulate it into insightful reports that allow companies to make decisions that are backed by data rather than by guesswork.
Data analysis has the power to make a company more profitable and unlock their potential for growth. There are several different data management systems. Some companies will require you to know anywhere from one to a few of them depending on what program(s) they have decided to utilize.
If you’re looking for a new career and are interested in giving data analysis or data science a try you should check out 365 Data Science. 365 Data Science is an online learning platform that allows you access to videos and exercises on 28 different data science topics.
The best part is that you can try out 365 Data Science for free before you decide if its something for you! After that you can sign up for a monthly subscription if you want to learn more specific data related topics. The free version is a great way to see if it could be something you are interested in.
Click here to check out 365 Data Science!
Market Yourself
This one isn’t so much of a skill as it is advice. Marketing yourself is just as important as learning new skills. If you learn new skills but no one knows about it, you’ve accomplished nothing. One easy way to market yourself is to take skills tests on LinkedIn or Indeed to show your development.
Have a LinkedIn profile that is active. That means keep it updated and share your career achievements. Share advice for people wanting to go into the career you’re in or how you found your current position. Build your network and connect with people!
Now go! The world is your oyster! Approach new things with an open attitude and a desire to learn.
If you liked this article or have anything to add, comment below!
