The job market is competitive out there! Whether you are looking to stay at your workplace or transition to another opportunity, how can you increase your worth? Among the piles and piles of applications and résumés, how can you stand out?

Together, let's explore 3 ways to increase your worth at work!

When we talk about "worth," I am not suggesting that your worth is dependent or bound in your profession, your title, your workplace, or any other space you occupy. No! Your worth and your value are innate and cannot be taken from you!

Rather, we are simply exploring how you can gain an edge in your current position, how you can stand out to a recruiter, and how you can increase your momentum in your career.

1. LEARN, LEARN, LEARN

We are all lifelong learners! No matter how long we have been working or how many years we have been studying, there always will be more that we can learn!

Maintaining the practice of learning and developing is an asset in any sector. You can elevate your résumé and stand out by cultivating industry-needed skills. 

Investing in yourself and your career does not need to cost you either! Take advantage of FREE resources and certificates! 

• Check out this LinkedIn post highlighting FREE AI courses. 

• Periodically, The Centre for Healing offers FREE trauma-informed courses.

• Google offers a variety of FREE courses for educators.

Find out if your workplace offers professional development benefits or stipends, as well. Many employers understand that investing in their employees is an investment in their company or organization. They may cover the cost of a training, conference, or subscription to a website, journal, etc. Onboarding should not be your only learning opportunity!

If your company does not provide this, you can also appeal to your supervisor and demonstrate how a conference or training will not only benefit you, but your organization and colleagues. Your attendance in a training or conference means that you can host a professional development session or brown bag talk about what you've learned. You can provide your supervisor with a list of ROIs (return on investment) when asking for professional development support. 

You can also utilize tools like ChatGPT to find courses that are relevant to your sector, position, role, etc. Here are a few prompts that you can use:

• “Find free online courses on [insert subject] from reputable platforms like Coursera, edX, Udemy, Khan Academy, or university websites. Include links and specify if they offer certificates.”

• “List websites that offer free courses on [insert subject], including those from universities, government programs, and nonprofits.”

2. FIND A MENTOR

Most of us have come this far because of the support of others. 

Seek out current or former colleagues with whom you can learn and grow. Take the time to formally ask them to mentor you. Most individuals are more than willing but be cognizant of time and capacity and set reasonable goals, expectations, and schedules.

Here is a sample email you can use:

Dear [Mentor’s Name],

I hope you’re doing well. I admire your work in [specific field or expertise] and the impact you’ve made, particularly in [specific achievement or quality you appreciate]. As I navigate my own journey in [your field or career path], I would love the opportunity to learn from your experience and insights.

Would you be open to a brief conversation to discuss the possibility of mentorship? I respect your time and would be happy to connect in a way that works best for you. Even periodic check-ins or advice would mean a lot.

Thank you for considering, and I appreciate any guidance you’re willing to share.

With care,

[Your Name]

When it comes to seeking mentorship, consider the following:

• Find someone whose values align with yours.

• If your mentor works with you, do your best to filter out any workplace bias or drama that may actually hinder you more than help you.

• Observe and absorb everything positive and enriching while discerning what may not be useful or beneficial for you.

• Stay true to yourself! Take everything you learn and contextualize it to your specific role, personality, comfort level, etc. For example, your mentor may take a more aggressive approach while you may feel more comfortable using a diplomatic one.

• Learn from their successes but more from their mistakes.

• Remember that there is no perfect mentor. They are human and fallible. Be sure to set reasonable expectations at the beginning of your mentorship relationship. Continue to return to the first bullet. If their values do not align with yours, it is okay to move on from that mentorship. 

• If you discover a mentor is involved in unscrupulous, unethical, or unlawful behavior, safely report it to human resources, the Board, or even law enforcement, if necessary. Please note, this is not legal advice. Know your rights and seek professional assistance to protect yourself if you need to make this type of report. Be careful who you trust in any workplace!

Remember that though you are the one being mentored, you still have a lot to offer and contribute to the relationship! For example, if your mentor is not as technologically savvy, you can assist them by helping them learn how to use new tools and websites. 

Be sure to show your gratitude in creative ways as they are taking time and energy to invest in you. This could look like bringing them their favorite morning drink to your meeting, taking them out to lunch, or writing a heartfelt card.

Unfortunately, some of us do not have safe and supportive workplaces in which we can find a strong mentor. In those cases, we have to look externally for a mentor. Consider former colleagues or find out more about our career mentoring services!

No matter where you are in your career, mentorship and community are essential to development and growth.

3. NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK

Let's be honest...most successful job searches come from our connections and our networks. A friend or former colleague puts in a good word for you with the recruiter. Someone you know shares a job posting at their company. The list goes on!

Even if you plan on staying with your organization indefinitely, continue to network with stakeholders and other organizations in the same space as yours. You never know which connections can provide better or future opportunities. 

Unfortunately, when I leave a workplace, most of my contacts are saved under my work email. In the past, I have lost years of cultivated relationships. Make it a practice to save personal and professional contacts on a spreadsheet that you can access even after leaving an organization. Be very careful, however, that you are not knowingly or unknowingly breaking any NDAs (non-disclosure agreements) or privacy policies/laws in doing so. 

If you are searching for a job, look through your LinkedIn network to see who may be hiring, who may be connected to someone you are interested in meeting, and who might be connected to an organization or company you are applying to. Leverage those connections to further your search, as well as gain insight regarding a workplace and its environment and culture. This information can help you decide if you even want to apply for that position or with that company.

When networking, be careful that your mindset is not, "What can they do for me?" but rather, "How can we elevate one another?" Networking is not a one-way street. You have to know and understand what you bring to the table and how you can also benefit that contact. This mindset also makes it easier to approach people because you are not coming empty-handed with an ask.

BONUS: INCREASE YOUR CONFIDENCE!

Have you heard "fake it till you make it?"

I am not suggesting you "fake" anything, but I do believe that how we present ourselves makes a difference in how others perceive us. I worked for an organization that, at separate times, hired severely underqualified contract workers for high-level (and high-paid) strategic consultation positions. Not only did they not deliver, they did not bring any new skills or strategies that someone on our team did not have or provide.

How did they get hired? Pure confidence in selling what they had to offer, which–much like the Emperor's New Clothes–was nothing! I don't think they were being intentionally deceptive; I think they actually believed in their skills and expertise.

Depending on our backgrounds and upbringing, some of us have learned how to undersell and belittle ourselves in a sense of false humility. I am one of them! I was taught not to share my wins and successes, not to receive or seek out compliments, and that no matter how much I tried, it would never be good enough. Sadly, I took those mindsets with me into the workplace and have suffered for years believing it.

If no one has told you today or ever:

You are more than enough!