In the distant past, having a degree on your resume was more than enough to shine in your career. However, times have changed. Today, the job market is much more demanding, competition has increased and is increasingly fierce, transforming the selection process into a true search for a unique professional.
However, what does it take to become this professional? What do they have that others don’t yet have? Is there a magic formula to reach this level?
In reality, there is no single type of professional who stands out in their field. Each area, profession and profile has specific characteristics of employees who are true stars. However, it is possible to find some patterns that are repeated across all sectors.
In other words, regardless of your field, following these steps and seeking these points will help you differentiate yourself from the competition. And if you are wondering what the points and steps in question are, don’t worry. After all, the main ones are listed below, and you just need to keep reading the text to find out what they are.
A unique professional: discover how to become one in 6 steps
1 – Always keep an eye on trends and news in your area and the market
One of the great characteristics of the current job market is its constant evolution and change. From one week to the next, new developments can emerge and transform the way a sector or area operates, and what they need to do to succeed in the economy.
Therefore, the knowledge taught in your undergraduate degree will often not be enough to help you stand out. Information can become obsolete, and if you don’t look for new things, trends, hot topics and how the job market is behaving, you will fall behind.
Therefore, you should know that you can never have too much knowledge. Attend events, conferences and lectures. Follow leading professionals on social media, especially on LinkedIn. Read current books, keep up with scientific developments in your field, with new, quality articles. And don’t forget to keep an eye on society and the economy in general, following the newspapers and the events around you.
2 – Make the most of social media and don’t overlook personal marketing.
Since we mentioned social media, keep in mind that it is a valuable tool for professionals who want to go the extra mile. With social media, which doesn’t have to be just LinkedIn, you can showcase all your knowledge and expertise, becoming a reference in your field and attracting the attention of recruiters and companies.
This way, you can be known and identified, which will make a difference when it comes to getting a new job opportunity.
3 – Have a good network of contacts and always cultivate it
Since LinkedIn came up in the conversation, did you know that it has a series of functions and benefits for professionals? With it, you can share your knowledge with other colleagues, as we mentioned before, find job openings, follow the market and work on your networking.
As old as this tip may be, it is still very valid. Having a good network of contacts, with professionals in your field, is essential to getting a position that stands out. By interacting with people in your profession, cultivating these interactions, valuing exchanges and creating strong bonds, you put your name on a new level in the job market.
4 – Put the development of new skills first
One thing is for sure. You won’t be able to stand out, differentiate yourself and advance in your career if you don’t develop the technical skills required by your profession.
Each field has a series of technical skills that professionals need to master. For example, doctors need to know how to resuscitate their patients. Dentists need to know how to perform a filling. Journalists need to know how to interview their sources. And so on.
Therefore, developing new technical skills is one of the main points to differentiate yourself. After all, you need to be an expert to take on higher positions, right?
5 – Remember the importance of behavioral skills, or soft skills
However, don’t forget that behavioral skills are also a fundamental part of career development. You can have all the technical skills in the world, but if you don’t know how to behave appropriately, strategically and pleasantly in the workplace, you’ll face problems.
Therefore, do not neglect the famous soft skills. Knowing how to communicate, work as a team, be flexible, solve problems, act as a leader, be resilient and organized, among many other possibilities, can be what will set you apart from your competitors in the final stage of a selection process.
6 – Invest in a postgraduate degree to become an expert
Finally, how about discovering that all the items mentioned above can be found in one place?
We are talking about postgraduate courses. Also known as specialization courses and MBAs. With them, you will update yourself, strengthen your personal marketing, network and develop many skills, both technical and emotional.
This way, you will have the opportunity to delve into a specific topic in your field, taking a big step towards becoming an even more complete professional, ready for the challenges of the job market. All this with the official title of specialist, to make your resume unbeatable.
