How Libraries Help You Succeed in a Challenging Job Market
Give yourself the best chance of landing a new job by upgrading your skills at the library
Let’s face it, the job market has seen better days. Jobs that complement your skill set are hard enough to find on their own, but add in the need for a larger paycheck to combat inflation and the steep competition you’ll have to deal with, and it can seem nearly impossible.
But if you know where to look, there are plenty of resources that’ll give you an edge in the job market. One of the best places to find these resources is, of course, your local library.
The Importance of Learning New Skills
The main issue that has made today’s job market so hostile toward applicants is the fact that it changes rapidly and constantly. Every time you look, it seems like employers are asking for a new skill, proficiency with a new software, and countless other things you simply haven’t learned to do yet. This raises an obvious question: How in the world is anyone supposed to succeed in this job market?
The solution is simple: You have to learn to be adaptable. Aside from being able to adjust to new situations, you have to actively seek out opportunities to learn new skills and techniques. This ensures that no matter what the current job market requires, you’re able to go above and beyond in providing it. This adaptability is something that most employers look for nowadays, and it puts you in an entirely different league from the other applicants.
How Local Libraries Teach Key Skills
The question, then, is where to start developing new skills. Fortunately, your local library has everything you need to get started. Libraries have two things that are essential to rounding out your skill set: information and people.
With so many online and print resources available at the library, you’ll have no trouble figuring out what employers in your field are currently looking for and how you can improve your standing as a job applicant.
Of course, intellectual knowledge isn’t everything. Interpersonal skills have always been important in the professional world, and unlike so many other things, that importance has remained a constant. At your local library, you can find like-minded individuals who are also looking to enhance their skill sets. From there, you can trade information, help build each others’ resumes, and, of course, improve your interpersonal skills by doing so.
The Library Is Your Partner in Workforce Development
If you’re interested in developing your workplace skills, you may be interested in attending a seminar, webinar, or other event at your local library. In addition, you can visit the American Library Association’s website for on-demand webinars that cover similar topics.
Because so many working Americans are dealing with the same issues in finding work, libraries have started hosting helpful events to give them a better starting point. Most of these webinars cover general, high-level topics on how to become a more appealing job applicant, but you may be able to find some that go into more niche information if you look carefully enough.
Just check your local library’s website or ask your librarian if they host any such events, clear your schedule, and see what you can learn. Whether you’re starting from scratch or just refreshing your memory, attending a library-hosted workforce development event is a great way to increase your odds of success in today’s job market.
If you’d like to learn more about how the library can help you land that perfect job, visit our Public Libraries feature page today!
Visit www.everylibrary.org to learn more about our work on behalf of libraries.
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