6 Ways To Check That Your Career Skills Are Still Competitive

SOURCE: FAST COMPANY

Keep an eye on your industryPeople who are intellectually curious tend to look at the world around them and ask questions about what’s going on around them. No matter what your function or role in the company, you need to be asking, "What’s next?". Is the industry adopting new standards or technology? Are there emerging services that will require new skills? Asking those types of questions will help you think about areas you might want to improve.

See what vendors are selling to your industry

You can get clues about what’s next when you look at what’s being sold to your industry. Walk the vendor halls at trade shows to see new technology or best practices in doing business. Similarly, ads and advertorials in trade magazines can give you a heads-up about what major industry vendors are developing to service your industry.

Interview influencers

Ask people, "How do you stay smart?" In other words, find out what industry publications, blogs, online newsletters, social media accounts, or web sites they follow to remain informed. Read those to get a sense of the skills it takes to be more successful in your field.

Scan job listings

Even if you’re not looking for a new job, it’s a good idea to review job posts in your industry on a regular basis. If you start to see demand for skills you don’t have, begin building those areas to keep yourself marketable.

Pay attention to who is being hired

Important clues may be all around you. Are new hires recommending software or processes with which you’re unfamiliar? Is your supervisor giving you low marks in some business skills during reviews? Don’t ignore these signals.

Set personal goals and don't forget soft skills

It’s important to set your own development goals annually. Don’t overlook the general business skills you might need as you step up a rung on the career ladder. Certain employees don’t work out and the reasons are often related to soft skills like humility or ability to collaborate or work with team members.