If you are already spending hours searching job ads, tweaking your CV and writing cover letters, then taking time for professional development might be the last thing you want to think about. But adding in some professional development while you are job hunting could be the thing that sets you apart.

Professional development can help you to….

• Add something fresh to your CV and cover letter

• Complete your skillset

• Legitimise your skills

Three types of development worth taking time for

Learn a new work skill

When you look at your CV, is there a skill that stands out as missing? Perhaps feedback from potential employers is that another couple of skills or areas would make you a more rounded applicant.

Professional development can help you fill that gap. While you may think twice about spending money on training while job hunting, future-you would be very happy if it paid off with a better role or offer!

Consolidate a skill with a professional certificate

Sometimes you know you can do something -  maybe you’ve been doing it for years - but potential employers are sceptical because you don’t have a formal qualification to show. Gaining a certificate or endorsement of a skill can help portray a professional image.

Learn or improve a skill that makes you more rounded

Professional development doesn’t have to be all about the hard skills that are directly associated with your career. Sometimes it’s about learning a skill that makes you more rounded as a person or improves your mental well-being and resilience. So instead of a work-related qualification, you might want to learn yoga or teach yourself to knit. 

You could also look for areas that offer a creative side to your current career. For example, if you are a professional copywriter, consider a course in creative writing. If you are a CEO who does a lot of public presentations, consider learning to be a Toastmaster.

As well as providing a new string to your bow, these extra skills can usually be transferred to the workplace and give you something different to talk about at interviews.

How to move forward with your own professional development

Take a course in person or online

Route one to learning a new skill, especially if you want proof at the end of it, is to take a course. These days as well as in-person courses, there are lots of online courses that you can complete at your own pace. These are great if you are learning in your own time around your current job.

Before you sign on, check:

• Whether the course has to be attended in person or can be done online

• Whether the course delivery suits your learning style

• Whether there’s a deadline for completion and, if there is, whether it is achievable for you

• What assignments or exams there are, and whether you can fulfil the requirements

Of course, you also need to consider how much the course costs, especially if you are paying for it yourself with no guarantees at the end of it. Remember to consider the value as well as the pure cost. There are plenty of free courses out there, but not all of them are any good. And, conversely, just because a course costs hundreds of dollars, it isn’t necessarily the best either. Do your research and look for reviews from other attendees.

Swap skills with a friend or colleague

If you aren’t so worried about getting a formal qualification at the end of it, then doing a skill swap with a friend or colleague can be a more cost-effective option. Are you rubbish at networking but have a friend who is the life and soul of every party? Get them to give some tips. You can barter your own skills in return.

Volunteer

Volunteering costs you nothing but time, but it can bring lots of benefits if you are job hunting. Look for a volunteer role that helps to close your skills gap or puts you in touch with the right people. And if you volunteer at a charity, you’ll be helping a great cause along the way.

If you are looking for volunteer work, we always have some great organisations needing help. You can find them here.

And while you are there, don’t forget to check out our job listings - you might just find the perfect role that your professional development has given you the skills for.