Do you have these key transferable skills for a new job?

From News Canada

Not only do newcomers have to learn to navigate the new work landscape in a new country, they have to keep in mind that contemporary work is all about adaptability, embracing new technologies and taking on various roles throughout their career.

The same applies to those who may have taken time off from work to care for loved ones or to go back to school to upgrade. When you’ve made the decision to rejoin the workforce, it can be challenging to know where to begin.

Thriving in this relatively new approach to the workplace means constantly learning and improving yourself. A great way to do this is by developing skills that are useful in every environment.

Teamwork. Playing well with others is as invaluable now as it was on the playground. When hiring new employees, companies look for people who their staff will look forward to seeing and interacting with every day. Active listening, being open to new ideas and putting yourself in others’ shoes all support good teamwork and will make you a great co-worker. 

Communication. Knowing how to deliver an engaging presentation, write an effective email and explain what you need from your team are all essential skills of a good communicator. Strong communication skills will benefit your employer and will also be useful to you throughout your career. You can leverage them when applying for a promotion or making friends at a new workplace. 

Leadership. Leaders understand how to guide people without being bossy and listen to others’ expertise and opinions. They’re also charismatic and know how to take initiative and bring out the best in people. Companies are always looking to hire leaders because they inspire their team members and give them the confidence to succeed, which in turn helps the whole organization prosper.

Multitasking. This combines other transferable skills, like time management and organization. An important skill in today’s busy world – being able to effectively prioritize and triage multiple projects and tasks – can help you stand out. Multitasking means you know how to structure your day and can keep track of moving parts to make everything happen seamlessly.

Here are a few things you can do to get back into the swing of it:

Attend networking events. If you feel intimidated by the thought of mingling at an event, remember you won’t be the only one feeling that way. The experience is well worth it, since meeting new people in different fields can help broaden your network and could even open new doors for you professionally.

Upgrade your skills. No matter how broad your skill set is, there is always something new to learn. Enrolling in training courses or workshops can be a great way to refresh your knowledge, increase your marketability and show your enthusiasm and commitment to your industry.

Many cities have knowledge hubs that offer workshops in digital or creative skills, and most colleges and universities offer continuing education or online courses. You can also take advantage of the free workshops and learning opportunities offered by many public libraries.

Temporary or part-time work. Taking on meaningful temporary or part-time work is one of the best ways to ease back into the working world. A temporary or part-time role will not only give your resumé a boost and earn you some cash, but will also help you test out new careers and expand your network.

A great way to develop and practise new skills is with a part-time job, like freelance consulting, tutoring or post-secondary note taking. Another option coming up is working as an enumerator or crew leader for Statistics Canada to collect information for the next census.

These roles offer the chance to be part of a larger team, meet lots of new people and sharpen your time management and organizational skills – key competencies for those looking to re-enter the workforce.

Applications for these flexible part-time jobs open in January 2021, with start dates in April 2021.

Find more information at census.gc.ca/jobs