If you’re like me, you probably thought you’d learn everything you needed for your career in college, land a job, climb the ladder, and never have to take another course or further your education. But, as it turns out, that’s not the case. While college or other formal education does teach you a lot, the real-world knowledge and skills you pick up on the job tend to be even more valuable. And in today’s job market, more and more workers are embracing upskilling—constantly acquiring new skills outside their core job duties—to stay ahead and get ahead in their careers.
A 2021 Gallup study, commissioned by Amazon, found that 57% of workers were interested in training to upgrade their skills or learn new ones that would help them advance. And 52% had participated in an upskilling program in the last year.
So, why all the recent interest in upskilling? Dimitris Tsingos, cofounder and president of Epignosis, a learning tech company, says it’s because of the “dynamic labor market.” The COVID-19 pandemic got people rethinking their approach to work and pushing for a better work-life balance. It also led many to seek new job opportunities, fueling the Great Resignation. A lot of workers realized that upskilling is the key to finding a job that better aligns with their values and pay expectations.
Now, let’s dive into what upskilling actually is, why it’s so important, and how to make it work for you.
What exactly is upskilling?
At its core, upskilling is about learning new skills or taking your existing knowledge to the next level. It’s a strategy for employees to level up in their current role and bring more value to their employer, says Tsingos. Upskilling also lets you deepen your expertise in specific areas.
This is a win-win: companies get employees with more knowledge, and employees can grow their careers with a broader skill set.
It’s important to note that upskilling is different from reskilling. Reskilling is about learning something entirely new for a completely different role. Upskilling, on the other hand, builds on what you already know. You might pick up new things while upskilling, but it’s always related to your industry or current job, ensuring you can adapt to changes now and in the future.
Also, upskilling isn’t just about earning certificates or taking classes—it’s about acquiring practical knowledge you can apply. For example, someone might take a foreign language course and earn a certificate, but true upskilling means being able to communicate fluently in that language, not just having the piece of paper.
Why is upskilling so important?
Upskilling is crucial because it’s not just about learning—it’s about growing and advancing your career, says Zanzibar Vermiglio, a corporate business coach and founder of Zanzibar Enterprises. In today’s job market, there’s a strong push to “better oneself.”
And it’s more important than ever: a survey from Epignosis’ TalentLMS found that 36% of Gen Z workers aren’t happy with how well their education prepared them for the workplace, which makes upskilling even more essential.
Here’s why it’s so important:
- It helps you stay updated with the latest trends in your field.
- It shows employers you’re willing to learn and adapt.
- It keeps you competitive in the job market (as career coach Alicia Perkins puts it, “You are only as strong as your skill set”).
- It helps prevent feelings of job stagnation.
- It helps you stand out among coworkers and job applicants.
- It boosts job satisfaction.
- It makes you feel more productive.
And here’s the kicker: upskilling can even help you earn more money. According to the Gallup-Amazon report, upskilling can boost your annual wages by 8.6%. About two-thirds of workers said upskilling also improved their quality of life.
Employers are also taking notice. TalentLMS found that 23% of Gen Z workers would leave a job if it didn’t offer learning opportunities.
4 Steps to Upskilling Yourself
Upskilling doesn’t happen by accident. It requires strategy. Here’s how to do it:
1. Identify the skills you need.
What skills do you need to get to the next level in your career? That’s the first question to ask yourself. Start by identifying the gaps between your current skill set and what’s required in your field today, and think about what might be needed down the road.
Also, consider adding transferable skills—things like writing or mastering certain software that you can use in different jobs.
To figure out where to upskill, Tsingos suggests reviewing job postings in your industry or for roles you want in the future to see what employers are looking for. You can also talk to managers or mentors within your organization to learn what you need to advance.
Common skills employers are looking for include:
- Cross-functional communication
- Creative thinking
- Relationship building
- Data analysis
- Public speaking
- Remote team management
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)
- Problem-solving
- Media literacy
- Soft skills (emotional intelligence, adaptability, flexibility, etc.)
2. Set clear goals.
What do you want to achieve by upskilling? Whether it’s a promotion, a raise, more satisfaction in your current job, or landing a new role, it’s important to define what success looks like.
Vermiglio encourages people to “invent a future” for themselves. Once you’ve defined your goal, figure out what kind of upskilling will help you get there. Having clear, specific goals will help you stay focused and ensure you get results.
Set deadlines, too, to keep yourself on track.
3. Find the right tools and courses.
There are tons of ways to upskill. First, look for opportunities that are already available to you—possibly for free. Your university might offer career development programs for alumni, or a professional association might have classes or conferences you can attend.
Also, check with your employer—many companies offer educational benefits like tuition reimbursement or access to professional development courses.
If that’s not an option, there are plenty of free or low-cost online resources, like:
- LinkedIn Learning (for business and professional courses)
- Google Skillshop (for Google certifications)
- Udemy (for courses on a variety of topics)
- HubSpot (for digital marketing and social media courses)
4. Talk to your employer about upskilling benefits.
If your employer doesn’t already provide upskilling opportunities, ask them to. Highlight how it’ll benefit both you and the company. For example, if you manage the company’s website, you could make a case for taking an SEO course to boost traffic, or if you’re in sales, you might pitch the idea of learning a new CRM system to help increase sales.
If your company still won’t provide these opportunities, consider upskilling on your own. And if that doesn’t work, maybe it’s time to look for a company that values your growth.
How to Put Your New Skills to Use
The best upskillers find ways to add value to their organization. Whether it’s by coming up with new ideas or improving processes, you should look for ways to put your new skills into practice.
- In your current job: If you want to apply your new skills at work, ask your boss if you can take on different tasks or responsibilities. Just make sure to discuss compensation if you’re taking on more duties.
- In a new job: If you’re applying for a new role, make sure to showcase your new skills, certifications, and courses on your resume. Highlight how you’ve applied these skills and how they’ve made an impact.
- In an interview: When interviewing for a job, emphasize your passion for learning and improving. Share examples from your work history where you made improvements by applying new skills.
How to Keep Upskilling for the Future
Upskilling isn’t a one-time thing—it’s an ongoing process. Every time you change roles, make sure the company offers opportunities to continue learning. If they don’t, negotiate a higher salary to cover your own learning expenses.
As Tsingos says, “We’re in the era of the economy of knowledge. Smart companies don’t hire people for what they know today, but for what they can learn.”