Freelance

One key way to keep your skills fresh is to freelance! When the pandemic is over, employers will be impressed if they see that you created content while others didn't.

Find your niche and get the ball rolling. By doing this, you can start to build your personal brand outside the context of an employer. Ultimately, this will make you more marketable going forward. Here are some things to keep in mind when starting to freelance:

1. Make sure you know what services you're offering
2. Create a quality portfolio of your work with an updated resume
3. Check out other freelancers in your field
4. Ensure an exemplary experience for your clients to build your credibility

Attend A Webinar

Feel like you need a bit of inspiration? Find a webinar to attend that relates to your career field.

Webinars usually focus on a certain topic, so this is a great way to learn more about your career and specific interests. To find the right webinar for you, check social media sites under hashtags that interest you or event sites such as, Eventbrite. If you follow any professionals within your career, check their platforms as well for virtual events.

Build A Website

Consider building a website to show future employers and colleagues your skills and specialties on one platform. Building a website will help expand your personal brand and strengthen your online presence. This is a great way to show hiring managers your skills while you search for new career opportunities. Having your own website will allow you to utilize technology and allow you to keep up with everyone else.

Here are a few free startup sites to create your website: Wix, JournoPortfolio, WordPress, and Squarespace.

Develop A New Skill

Time off is a great opportunity to hone a new skill within your field!

Pick something that you haven't had time to master in the past. Be it public speaking, a new software, or analyzing data, there are plenty of outlets available for you to learn.

We live in a competitive world and coming out of a pandemic with a new skill will boost your resume. Many career courses, masterclasses, and seminars are offering reduced prices because of the pandemic. Here are some affordable masterclasses offered by LinkedIn: Wordpress, The Adobe Suite, Javascript

Once you have tackled a new skill yourself, challenge a friend to do the same!

Want more advice on how to find career happiness? Join our career growth club today and get access to one-on-one career coaching, resume and cover letter reviews, online tutorials, and unlimited networking opportunities—all in your back pocket!