Image via Flickr by flazingo_photos
Adding a valuable skill increases your worth to your employer. This one isn’t always easy, however. First you need to assess your current career and your present role within your company. Then you need to find the direction your company and your role are headed.
Let’s say you were in sales 20 years ago. Having spotted the trend of computerized databases, you could have immersed yourself in this new technology and helped your company build a new computer-based sales platform. Or you could have hooked up with a company like Salesforce.com at just the right moment, and bye-bye mortgage payments.
Not all roles have massive changes heading their way. But watch for small changes and learn them so you are the go-to person when the change wave hits your company.
Current changes already coming down the pike include mobile app development (the software that runs mobile applications), TV web browsers, and viral video advertising.
Master Your Field of Expertise
You’ve heard the term indispensable, but how do you make yourself indispensable? First, you need to have the highest level of knowledge in your field, and that usually means getting an advanced degree.
If you are in business management, start working on your MBA. This well-respected degree works almost like a passport to a higher-paying job.
Working as a nurse in a hospital or doctor’s office? Start preparing for your master’s in nursing. Ohio University is one of several schools that offer excellent online master’s programs for those looking to study while still holding down a full-time job.
Focus on the Next Big Thing
If you specialize in a certain area, you run the risk of that area becoming obsolete in a few years. Or perhaps the pay scale will dwindle due to an influx of new employees with the same skills as you, or your job could be taken over entirely by more advanced technology.
Start focusing on what’s coming next for your particular niche. Take a class to brush up on your field and start preparing to make the leap. The newest technologies pay the most.
In software development, programs like Ruby on Rails, next generation JAVA, and app development are paying big.
Establish New Networking Partners
Networking never stops. Figure out who is well-connected to the higher-up roles in your company (and others, if you are looking outside the fence) and start networking with them. Get friendly on a professional level, then prove your skills to that person.
This takes finesse. Feel your way around before you start spouting off about your accomplishments. Once you get to know the person, you’ll understand how to put yourself in the best light.
No matter what field you’re in, it’s always wise to plan for the future so you’re prepared to meet the challenges and opportunities of your job head-on.