Furthering your education and professional development

Education and professional development

Employers look at job skills and education when deciding if you are qualified for a job. Many jobs require particular degrees or levels of education that are not negotiable. However, pursuing education or development beyond the minimum requirement can make you stand out from the crowd of applicants. This is what employers are looking for in education and professional development.

1. Employees who are lifelong learners

A lifelong learner is willing to continue education and training as needed. This is essential to remaining competitive for many companies since well-trained employees are a great asset. Particularly with technology, it is essential to keep up with the latest developments and trends and having eager learners as employees is ideal.

2. Employees who have invested in education in the past

Seeing evidence that you have made an effort to stay current in your industry or pursue other relevant education demonstrates that you are likely to do that in the future. Getting additional training on your own time or with your own money is very attractive to employers who are cutting costs.

3. Employees who are creative in their development

If you have participated in anything other than traditional classroom or seminar preparation, this can be a real plus to employers looking for someone who understands the value of development in any setting. Mentoring, interning, online training and cross-training are just some of the ways you can get your professional development done.

4. Employees who are open to job rotations/cross-training

In today’s market, employers are looking to make the most of every talented employee’s time. You may be asked to cross-train with another position or rotate into a job other than yours for a set amount of time to address the needs of the company as they arise. Always express a willingness to participate in these programs.

5. Employees who are fluent in a second language

If you have more than one language to offer, you are in a great position no matter what type of job you are applying for. If you are pursuing a second language with training on your own time, employers are enthusiastic and will certainly keep this in mind. Be sure you are committed to using your second language on a regular basis if you are going to talk about it on a resume or in an interview. If the potential employer mentions that a second language is helpful but not necessary, express a willingness to learn.

By Becky Papp

Becky Papp has been a professional writer for 20 years, working for newspapers, magazines and corporate communications. She currently contracts for clients all over the world, writing online and print articles, newsletters, blogs, and e-books. She resides in Phoenix, Arizona.