Why Your Skills Matter More Than Your Job Title

Why Your Skills Matter More Than Your Job TitleWhy Your Skills Matter More Than Your Job TitleTheres a tremendous importance placed on job titles. And rightly so, since so much can hinge on those precious few words. Along with the prestige of a powerful job title can come a higher salary, the ability to negotiate for work perks, and so much mora. But, theres evidence to now debunk the idea that job titles are the end-all, be-all in todays job market. In the World Economic Forum article, Does Your Job Title Matter Anymore? it would seem that your skills matter, notlage just your job title.Why is there a shift from job titles to skills?Well, the answer is duein part to the murky nature of job titles. After all, reading a job title alone no longer gives you a complete picture of what the position could possibly entail. Instead, theres advocacy for companies to ditch the job titles and instead focus on highlighting all of the skills necessary for a job candidate to apply for a position.H ighlighting all of the skills for a position is a new approach to posting job descriptions, but it can affect both job seekers and employers in surprisingly positive ways. For example, as a job candidate, you might see a job description but are scared off by the job title and as a result you dont bother applying for the position.However, if you saw all of the skills necessary to perform in the position (and you have said skills), you might think twice and apply for the job And for employers, showing all of the skills necessary for a job also can help expedite the job interview process for employers, who may have thought they found top-tier talent but then find, after a few rounds in the interview process, that the job candidates may have the previous job titles- but not the skills needed for the job.Of course, your previous work experience (and job titles) are still important, but your skills matter too. Heres a few ways to shine up your skills1. Get an internship.If youre looking t o score some new skills, especially if youre thinking about a career change, one of the best ways to do it is by getting an internship. Even if youre looking for a full-time position, interning is a great way to learn on the job, test out a new potential career field, and get some great skills all at the same time. And remember, there is no age limit when it comes to interning2. Hit the books.Between family, friends, and a never-ending job search, you might think you dont have time to go back to school. But learning new things can help you develop fresh skills that will eventually help you find a great job. Look for online classes that fit in with your schedule so you can get the skills and certifications that youll need to advance your career.3. YouTube it.If youre not harnessing the power of YouTube to acquire new skills, you definitely should be. YouTube offers tons of how-to videos that can help visual learners attain the knowledge theyre seeking in an informal, non-stressful en vironment. And while you cant claim a YouTube certification or degree (at least, not yet), learning something new from YouTube videos- and realizing that its not as daunting as it might have seemed- can get you one stop closer to taking the plunge and going back to school to get the skills you need for the job you really want.Sure, your skills are very important in finding a great job. So make the investment in yourself by doing what you need to make them the best they can be. Eventually, youll discover that youre able to apply for jobs you never imagined you could before.Want toread more aboutfinding a job? Head over to our job search tips categoryReaders, do you think skills matter more than job titles? What would you think about companies listing all the skills needed for the positions they offer? Would that help your job search? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below