How can you showcase new skills to employers?

1 Update your portfolio

One of the best ways to showcase your new skills is to create or update your portfolio of work samples, projects, or achievements that demonstrate your proficiency and creativity. Your portfolio should be tailored to your target industry, role, and employer, and highlight the skills that are most relevant and in-demand. You can use online platforms, such as Behance, GitHub, or Medium, to showcase your portfolio and share it with your network and recruiters.

2 Get certified or endorsed

Another way to showcase your new skills is to get certified or endorsed by reputable organizations, institutions, or individuals. Certifications and endorsements can validate your skills and show that you have met certain standards or criteria. You can look for online courses, programs, or exams that offer certifications or badges for completing them, such as Coursera, Udemy, or Google. You can also ask your mentors, peers, or clients to endorse your skills on LinkedIn or provide testimonials or references.

3 Showcase your learning process

A third way to showcase your new skills is to showcase your learning process and how you have applied your skills to solve problems or achieve goals. You can do this by writing blog posts, articles, or case studies that document your learning journey, challenges, insights, and outcomes. You can also create videos, podcasts, or webinars that share your knowledge, tips, or best practices with others. This can show your passion, curiosity, and growth mindset, as well as your communication and presentation skills.

4 Volunteer or freelance

A fourth way to showcase your new skills is to volunteer or freelance for causes, organizations, or projects that align with your interests and goals. Volunteering or freelancing can help you gain practical experience, build your network, and make a positive impact. You can look for opportunities on platforms such as VolunteerMatch, Catchafire, or Upwork, or reach out to your contacts and offer your services. You can also add your volunteer or freelance work to your resume, portfolio, and LinkedIn profile.

5 Seek feedback and improvement

A fifth way to showcase your new skills is to seek feedback and improvement from experts, mentors, or peers in your field. Feedback and improvement can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, learn from your mistakes, and enhance your performance. You can ask for feedback on your work samples, projects, or achievements, and use it to refine your skills and strategies. You can also show your willingness to learn and improve by taking online courses, joining online communities, or attending online events related to your skills.

6 Be confident and proactive

A sixth way to showcase your new skills is to be confident and proactive in pursuing your career goals. Confidence and proactivity can show your enthusiasm, initiative, and readiness for new challenges and opportunities. You can be confident and proactive by updating your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile with your new skills and achievements, and applying for jobs or projects that match your skills and interests. You can also be confident and proactive by reaching out to recruiters, hiring managers, or influencers in your field, and expressing your interest and value proposition.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?