What are the best ways to develop hard skills on the job?

1 Seek feedback

One of the most effective ways to improve your hard skills is to ask for feedback from your manager, colleagues, or clients. Feedback can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, as well as the areas where you need to improve or update your knowledge and skills. You can also use feedback to set realistic and achievable goals for your professional development and track your progress over time.

2 Take online courses

Another way to develop your hard skills on the job is to take advantage of the online courses that are available on various platforms and topics. Online courses can help you learn new skills, refresh your existing ones, or gain a certification that can boost your resume and credibility. You can choose courses that are relevant to your current or desired role, industry, or niche, and that match your learning style and schedule. Some employers may even sponsor or reimburse you for taking online courses that can benefit your performance or career growth.

3 Join a community

A third way to develop your hard skills on the job is to join a community of professionals who share your interests, passions, or challenges. A community can be a network, a forum, a group, or a club that connects you with people who have similar or complementary skills and experiences. By joining a community, you can access valuable resources, insights, and tips that can help you learn new skills or improve your existing ones. You can also exchange feedback, ideas, or advice with other members, or collaborate on projects or initiatives that can challenge and enhance your skills.

4 Volunteer for projects

A fourth way to develop your hard skills on the job is to volunteer for projects that can expose you to different tasks, roles, or environments. Volunteering for projects can help you apply your skills in new contexts, learn from other experts, or acquire new skills that can expand your capabilities and versatility. You can volunteer for projects within your organization, such as cross-functional teams, committees, or task forces, or outside your organization, such as non-profit organizations, community events, or professional associations.

6 Learn from others

A sixth way to develop your hard skills on the job is to learn from others who have more experience, expertise, or knowledge than you. Learning from others can help you gain new perspectives, insights, or techniques that can improve your skills or solve your problems. You can learn from others by finding a mentor, a coach, or a peer who can guide, support, or advise you. You can also learn from others by reading books, articles, or blogs, listening to podcasts, or watching videos or webinars that can teach you new skills or update your existing ones.

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?