There’s no doubt that the multitude of headlines featuring the words “recession,” “inflation” and “unstable market” might have you feeling more than a little concerned about your job security.
But instead of panicking, Tonya Rapley, founder of My Fab Finance and cohost of the Ashton Kutcher–produced series “Going From Broke,” wants you to upskill. That means looking at all the ways you can add to your current set of skills so that you’ll remain an important asset to your boss or workplace in general.
“When you upskill, you’re not only improving yourself professionally, you’re also affecting the company’s bottom line,” says Rapley, who is also a nationally recognized millennial money expert.
Indeed, 85% of the more than 17,000 respondents of the Human Progress Study agree that upskilling and reskilling are vital and “essentials factors of prosperity”. And the World Economic Forum released a study in 2021 that revealed how investing in upskilling could increase the global GDP by $6.5 trillion by 2030.
“One of the best ways to solidify your role at your company is by making yourself as useful as possible,” Rapley says.
Here, she offers four ways to do so—without breaking the bank.
1. Take Courses to Improve Your Technical Skills
Talk to your colleagues and, if you discover you’re not as up to speed on certain programs or software as they are (whether that’s Adobe Premiere or PowerPoint), consider taking advantage of free certifications and courses during your off hours, Rapley suggests.
“For example, Google offers a free project management certification program and other certification courses that help you implement their products in the workspace, and HubSpot is constantly offering four-week virtual boot camps,” Rapley says. “Getting certified will make you a more valuable employee or candidate should you decide to take a job with another employer.”
2. Find a Trusted Mentor
It can be overwhelming to map out exactly what you need to do to solidify your position in your company. That’s why it’s helpful to seek advice from someone either at your company or at another firm who is farther along in their career than you are.
“Reach out and see if you can have a quick phone call,” Rapley says, adding that it’s critical to be very specific about what you’re hoping to learn from them and to make sure you’re not asking for too much of their time.
Periodically checking in with your boss or manager is also a good idea. Ask them if there are areas where you can improve or what you need to do to demonstrate your value to the company (you might even ask about steps you can take to secure a promotion!).
3. Think It Through Before Going Back to School
If you feel like there are sizeable gaps in your knowledge base that may prevent you from solidifying your spot at your company (or securing that promotion), it might be worthwhile to sign up for a set of courses at a local university or community college.
“Just make sure this makes financial sense for you,” Rapley says. “I always advise doing some research or talking to people in your field first.”
For example, look at the LinkedIn profiles of those at your level or the level above you to see which programs they’ve done, if they have certain certifications and which degrees they’ve completed. Then reach out to those people and ask them if their formal training has paid off.
Your company might also pay for educational courses to help you upskill. “Reach out to an HR person at your company, review your employee handbook and offer letter, or simply ask your boss if this is something your company offers,” advises Rapley. If so, take full advantage of it while you can.
4. Showcase What You’ve Learned
Once you’ve taken steps to upskill, you’ll not only feel more secure in your job—you’ll also feel like you’ve accomplished some big goals, Rapley says.
Set up a meeting with your boss or manager and walk them through your new (or improved) skills and how those skills can be implemented effectively at the company. They will likely applaud your initiative and recognize your hard work, which is already a big win in proving your worth.
You should also add what you’ve done to your résumé, LinkedIn profile and personal website.
“While nothing is foolproof, upskilling absolutely gives you a leg up,” Rapley says. “With this job market, you want to be as competitive—and stand out—as much as possible. And this is one of the best ways to do just that.”
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Lambeth Hochwald is a New York City–based writer, editor and adjunct professor of journalism at New York University.