No Brain, No Gain
Sacha Cohen
Stay Sharp So You Can Move Ahead
- Industry experience isn't enough
- Learn new skills and stay abreast of industry happenings
- Take a multi-pronged approach to keeping your skills up-to-date
If you think that years of industry experience, glowing references and a stellar CV are enough to help you land your next job, think again. Whether you're employed and casually looking for other opportunities, or unemployed and anxiously trying to land a job, you must spend time each week learning and keeping your skills sharp.
Sounds easy, right? Well, you'd be surprised at how few people recognise the value of what I call informal learning. This includes reading trade publications and industry-specific magazines, active networking, participating in listservs and user groups, and attending seminars and events.
It's not enough to rely on employers for training. In the ferociously competitive IT field, you need to pay special attention to your own career development. Each week, you should spend at least a few hours reading about your industry, researching new trends and emerging technologies, and learning what it will take to manage your career more effectively.
Although this may sound like just another chore that you don't have time for, if you approach it the right way, it will become as much a part of your daily routine as brushing your teeth or going to the gym.
