Learn or leave the market

WHAT TO DO NEXT
The following steps will help you better understand these three compo-
nents and prepare yourself for changes:
▶
First, update your resume. When describing your skills and experi-
ence, you should clearly indicate your competitive advantages. Use 
this sentence as a template: “Thanks to my strong qualities/skills/
knowledge, I can do (such and such) better than other profession-
als in my field.” Also, ask yourself how would your competitors end 
this sentence?
▶
List your key assets that are relevant to the realities of the chosen 
market in your resume. Do not write in general terms, such 
as “I am good with technology.” Be more specific: “I can teach 
training courses and seminars on topics related to technology and 
IT developments.”
▶
Search for your “perfect employer” on social media. For example, 
the head of the company of your dreams or its employees. Follow 
this company’s news in order to understand how its industry 

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 Chapter 4. How to Choose or Change Your Profession.
75
is changing. This way, it will be easier for you to find out about new 
opportunities and the risks you should be careful with.
▶
If you still have doubts about choosing your future area of activity, 
take a look at your calendar, day planner, diary or old correspon-
dence. How did you spend most of your weekends last month? 
What about the last five Saturdays? If you are devoting all your free 
days to the same task, it may very well become your future profes-
sion. After all, you would only spend your weekends doing some-
thing you really enjoy.
▶
Think about how useful your current job is. What would happen 
if you disappeared from the office? How would the company 
handle your absence? And what about your coworkers? This will 
help you realize the value of your work and, perhaps, start appre-
ciating it once again or, on the contrary, you might realize you are 
only wasting your time. In addition, try to recall what others, such 
as your boss or clients, praise you for. Most likely, things they like 
most about your work are your strengths. What if your colleagues 
asked you for help or advice, what would that be about? Talk 
to them and ask them to point at your advantages.
▶
Create an investment plan for your soft assets. Perhaps you need 
to attend more business conferences or take online courses 
in order to develop certain skills.