Developing Your Potential While Not Working

Feeling tired while working is unavoidable. Not to mention the many problems outside of work that also need attention. To overcome this problem, quite a few employees have decided to take a break from their careers for a moment.

Whether you are planning to take a break from work for some reason or want to take a sabbatical leave. Even so, try to stay productive and active to stay up to date when you return to the world of a professional career.

How to Develop Yourself When Not Working

By taking some positive steps, you will not only have valuable skills that can be highlighted on your CV. This will also help in getting opportunities for interviews.

1. Build your skills

Even though you are not working, it is important for you to hone and build your skills. According to the World Economic Forum, there are several key skills that can be built to be able to compete for jobs in the future. These skills are information technology, research, data analysis, and engineering.

However, there are also critical skills, such as understanding and the ability to explain. As a result, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities will become increasingly important in the years to come. Examples of jobs that use this skill are researcher, writer, editor, and marketing.

Meanwhile, soft skills that are always important to have are social and emotional intelligence, such as communication, empathy, adaptability, creativity and leadership. Even though it seems difficult and time consuming, you can do these things by volunteering, freelance, contract work and networking. The good news is that you can do these four activities while resting.

2. Volunteer

One way to stay active while not working is to volunteer. Currently, many volunteer services are open, and the good news is that many do not set an age limit for volunteering. You can volunteer in the field you like.

Even if you volunteer outside your field of work, you can still build the skills needed in all areas, such as problem solving, flexibility, teamwork, leadership, and both written and verbal communication. Because these skills will indirectly appear when you volunteer.

3. Freelance and contract work

If you already have special skills that you feel can bridge your professional career later, keep them. What you can do for that is to freelance. The best and most enjoyable thing about freelancing is that it is very flexible and you have complete control over your schedule and working hours.

Another way you can do this is freelance or work on a contract basis. This is done as a way to show the recruiting team that you have special skills and a position that you can occupy when you apply for a job later. Freelancing and contract work are also profitable, because they can add income when you are resting.

4. Networking

Never underestimate networking. If you don't build and utilize the network you have when looking for work, you will indirectly limit your chances of getting called for an interview.

Therefore, it is very important to build your network, whether you are not working or already working. Linkedin is a great site to build your network. However, keep in mind that networking is a skill, and not everyone has this ability.

To develop your network, start by adding friends and working professionals to your email and social media. Apart from that, you can also join alumni and community associations that can connect you with many people.

Networking is also useful as a reference. It is not uncommon for recruiters to ask for references. It's better to give a manager (either current or previous) as a reference. However, you can also ask colleagues and even people who have volunteered or contracted with you.

You can build your skills by visiting local university communities to take courses, or pursue other education. Not only that, if you are more comfortable and like crash courses or training.

You can look for online training programs available at training institutes like prasmul-eli. If you decide to take training, don't hesitate to add it to your CV, especially if there is a certification to achieve your skills and personal development.