The high rate of change in technology, processes, and industry demands means that today’s professionals encounter skill shortages at an unprecedented rate. A skills gap (or shortage) refers to the disparity between the skills that employees currently have and the skills required to perform their roles effectively or to pursue new opportunities. If you find yourself running short in technical, business, or people skills that are now required for your current or future career objectives, it’s time to take action to bridge the gap!
What is a skills gap?
A skills gap occurs when there is a mismatch between an individual's skills and those necessary for a specific job. Don’t feel too bad, a skills gap happens for a wide variety of reasons! This could be attributed to industry shifts, technology advancements, or generally evolving job demands. Companies are frequently experiencing employees that now have skill gaps that prohibit them from accomplishing strategic goals, but staff can also proactively confront this gap, particularly when careers become more dynamic and require a broader skill set. For continuous learning, companies should also be proactive and help employees bridge these gaps with training and other upskilling investments.
Common reasons for skills gaps include:
- Rapid technological change
- Lack of continuous learning and development
- Changing industry standards (including legislative and regulatory changes)
- Career transitions or promotions that demand new skills
Performing a skills gap analysis
So how do you find out where your skills gaps are…exactly? A skills gap analysis is one of the most effective methods for identifying and addressing a skills gap. This structured evaluation assists both businesses and individuals in determining what skills are required, what skills are currently in place, and where gaps for improvement exist.
Steps to conduct a skills gap analysis
- Identify required skills: Begin by identifying the skills required for your current role or the career you seek. This could include analyzing job descriptions, consulting with a manager, or reviewing industry trends. For businesses, this can imply aligning job needs with business goals.
- Assess current skills: Take an inventory of your present skill set. This can be accomplished by self-assessment, feedback from coworkers or superiors, or formal assessments such as the Skill Gap Quiz.
- Compare and analyze: Compare your existing skills to the required skills. This step helps you identify areas where you fall short, allowing you to focus on particular areas for growth.
- Develop an action plan: After you've discovered the gaps, make a plan to close them. This could include training, online courses, mentoring, or on-the-job experience. Remember, you don’t have to fix everything all at once!
- Track progress: Regularly track your progress. Make sure you're consistently working on developing the necessary skills, and alter your learning plan as needed.
Note: PowerToFly offers a Skills Gap Quiz to help identify the specific areas where you or your team may be lacking. Additionally, the SkillMeter resource provides a comprehensive skills gap analysis template and tools to help you create a learning journey to bridge those gaps.
Tips for overcoming a skills gap
After identifying your skills gap, your next step is to take action! Here are some practical strategies to help you close the gap and future-proof your career:
1. Take advantage of online learning
The availability of online courses has drastically changed the way we learn. Platforms such as Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and Skillcrush provide a wide range of courses across industries, financial means, and skill levels. Whether you lack technical skills like coding, or soft skills like leadership, online platforms offer a convenient and flexible approach to upskilling.
2. Get hands-on experience
Practical experience is essential for mastering new skills! Look for opportunities to utilize what you're learning in real-world scenarios. This could include taking on new tasks at work, volunteering, or working on side projects to develop and refine new skills.
3. Seek out mentors and coaches
Learning from others is one of the most efficient strategies to close a skill gap, with the added bonus of solidifying which skills you should prioritize. Seek out a mentor who specializes in the areas where you are deficient, or has more experience in the industry you’re seeking to work in. Mentors can provide guidance, feedback, and advice on learning and applying new skills. Furthermore, many companies provide coaching programs to help employees evolve professionally, so double-check to see if your current place of employment has any options available already!
4. Utilize internal training programs
Continuing from our point above, take advantage of any internal training programs that your employer provides. Fortunately, many businesses today realize the value of perpetual learning and provide opportunities for employees to enhance their skills through workshops, seminars, and virtual learning platforms. Participating in these programs can help you acquire important skills while also demonstrating your dedication to growth. Pro-tip: Even if your workplace doesn’t have something formal already, it never hurts to ask about upskilling!
5. Perform regular self-assessments
The job market is constantly changing, and so are you! Therefore it is critical to frequently analyze your skills and adjust your growth strategy. Performing periodic self-assessments or skill gap analysis guarantees that you continually strive to stay relevant in your industry.
Examples of skills to develop
- Technical skills (hard skills): When we think of a skills gap, the first thing that comes to mind is usually technical skills. Many positions today require proficiency in specific software, coding languages, or understanding new technology and tools. Examples: Coding (Python, Java), Data Analysis, AI, Software Engineering
- People skills (soft skills): People skills (or soft skills) differ from technical skills in that they describe how we interact and communicate with others. With many industries emphasizing teamwork and customer interaction, excellent people skills are equally as important as technical proficiency. Examples: Communication, Emotional Intelligence, Conflict Resolution
- Business skills: A subset of soft skills, business skills are key to manage teams, evaluate market trends, and make strategic decisions. Gaps in these areas can impede your ability to lead effectively or advance into leadership positions. Examples: Strategic Thinking, Financial Management, Negotiation
Addressing skills gaps in your resume
Even if you’re not currently seeking a new job, once you've begun trying to close your skill gap, it's critical to include these accomplishments on your resume. Listing new skills or certifications might increase your appeal to potential employers and set you apart from the competition.
Tips for highlighting skills on a resume
- Be specific: Instead of listing generic skills, point out specific tools, certificates, or experiences that show your competence.
- Show results: Whenever feasible, quantify the impact your skills have had in your current or previous roles. People tend to respond well to concrete numbers.
- Keep it updated: Update your resume on a regular basis as you gain new skills and experience. Again, even if you’re not actively seeking, you’ll be ready when you need to be and are less likely to miss anything!
For example:
- “Completed advanced Python training to streamline data analysis processes, reducing project timelines by 20%.”
- “Led a cross-functional team in implementing new customer service software, improving response times by 15%.”
Unique skills to close gaps
It's not merely about hitting all the common skills listed on every resume. Sometimes having unique skills might provide you a competitive advantage. Consider auditing your current skill set to determine what unique skills you have that may be suitable for your desired career.
- Cultural competency: In today's global workforce, understanding different cultures and backgrounds can be a huge benefit.
- User experience (UX) design: As firms increasingly focus on constructing user-friendly products, UX skills can help you stand out.
- Sustainability knowledge: As more sectors adopt green practices, understanding sustainability and environmental impact are highly valuable skills.
