The job market is constantly in flux. As new technologies and processes emerge, they bring with them new modes of working and new skills to be mastered. As a freelancer, it’s important to not only keep an eye on these changing trends but to also stay ahead of the curve by upskilling yourself. Upskilling—aka learning new professional skills—is how independent workers can set themselves up for a long and successful career.
Diversifying your resume
It goes without saying that regularly upskilling yourself has mega advantages for your professional resume. For starters, a versatile portfolio will make you eligible for more freelance opportunities. For example, as a content writer if you can add digital marketing and social media expertise to your CV, you will be eligible to look for a wider variety of jobs. Additionally, it will demonstrate to potential clients that you are dynamic and have the capacity to pick up new skills. Perhaps most importantly, a diverse skill set will help you stand out as a candidate if a client can hire you to handle multiple tasks instead of three people.
Narrowing the skills gap
Skills gaps have and always will exist. And though many people see them as a challenge to overcome, for freelancers they can present as an opportunity. If you can identify and learn the specialized skills that are most in demand, you’ll be all the more attractive to employers.
Today, many of the most in-demand freelance skills are digital ones, including web design and programming, social media marketing, and lead generation. Other currently trending skills are in the areas of cloud computing and artificial intelligence. Freelancers that take advantage of upskilling to fill skills gaps are also more likely to be able to charge higher rates and have a greater choice of jobs.
Upskilling keeps you engaged and motivated
More than just ensuring your continued employability, upskilling is a good way to keep you motivated and excited about your work. Doing the same thing day after day inevitably gets old.
By learning new skills, you can add some dynamism to your work life and focus on projects that interest you the most.
On top of that, newly acquired skills can give you a fresh perspective on your existing competences, which can help you hone your professional capabilities and reignite your drive.
How to upskill
Flexibility and adaptability are the defining trends of this generation of workers. And not only in terms of the increase in work from home (WFH) or the growing number of self-employed individuals. People are also realizing they don’t have to choose a single career and stick to it, they can change paths and take advantage of different opportunities. Upskilling is central to this new paradigm, but it’s not always obvious where to begin acquiring new skills.
The first step is to think about what skills will benefit you most. While it might seem exciting to learn something completely different from what you know, it is typically a good idea to start closer to home. In other words, choose skills that complement your existing ones.
If you specialize in social media marketing, for instance, it may be worthwhile to learn about video editing or the basics of graphic design. A good way to decide what new skills to pursue is to look at job postings that interest you and see what skills they require.
Types of upskill resources
Once you’ve chosen what you will upskill, the next question is how. Of course, there are formal avenues for learning new things, like professional programs or higher education. But let’s be realistic: not all of us have the time or resources to undertake such demanding studies while also earning an income. Fortunately, it is easier than ever to learn new skills independently alongside your work.
Thanks to online tools and resources like blogs, webinars, and online courses, you can teach yourself new skills. Read blogs to learn about the ins and outs of SEO for content writing. Watch tutorials and join online courses to learn the fundamentals of web programming or design. Participate in webinars to acquaint yourself with social media marketing strategies. And that’s only the tip of the iceberg, there are thousands of professional skills you can learn using (often free) online tools.
Our very own SkillPack blog, for example, offers a wide selection of helpful articles and guides dedicated to freelancers.
Joining a community of freelancers is also a great way to learn about different types of competences and gain insights from experts. Skills sharing can introduce you to new skills while also forming new perspectives and making valuable connections in the freelance world.
Ultimately, upskilling should be an integral part of your freelance journey. Not only will upskilling ensure your future employability, it will also broaden your professional horizons.
