Get the Top Five In-Demand Skills

Standing out with the skills that employers value most can lead to better job security and more opportunities for advancement

Posted 2009

While entire industries line up for government rescue packages and multi-faceted bailout plans, the best kept secret for personal survival is far less complicated and completely under your control. Avoiding layoffs or finding a better job depends on how well you stand out with the skills employers value most.
As the winds of recession blow colder than at any point in the past three decades, those with the right skills and credentials will find protection from the storm and emerge stronger than ever. Now is the time to prepare with online professional education from the nation’s leading traditional universities.
Don’t Just Survive… Thrive!
Contrary to popular belief, many people do prosper in challenging economic times. The difference between merely surviving and thriving is your ability to distinguish yourself with superior professional value. Never lose sight of the direct correlation between your employer’s success and your own well-being. If you want to secure your employment and earn more money, start by developing the expertise that organizations need – the types of in-demand skills taught 100% online.
Five Skills Sets That Can Make You Irreplaceable
Put your career on the fast track by becoming an expert in one or more of these key areas. Then gain complementary skills to further insulate yourself from the perils of recession.

1. Leadership/Negotiation: Today’s organizations want all employees to be leaders – from administrative assistants to senior executives. There’s no substitute for the sought-after ability to guide and influence others, whether you’re motivating a small group, managing a large department or charting the course for an entire organization. The most successful professionals know how to maximize their interpersonal skills, resolve conflicts and build high-performance teams.
2. Business Analysis: Improving information flow within an organization is more than just a good idea; it’s critical for success in today’s challenging business climate. Nothing distinguishes you from your colleagues like the sought-after ability to identify and design processes that ensure timely delivery of cost-effective products.
3. Project Management: Want to increase your visibility and contributions? Learn to lead improvement initiatives that result in measurable growth in ROI, sales, customer retention and speed to market. You’ll further boost your value by managing risk and applying proven practices that keep projects on time and within budget.
4. Six Sigma/Lean: The United States’ sluggish economy is forcing companies to find new ways to reduce waste and operate more efficiently. Professionals with Six Sigma and Lean expertise are in high demand because they can save companies thousands of dollars by leading quality improvement initiatives, implementing faster response times and lowering costs to provide products and services.
5. Supply Chain Management: With issues such as late deliveries and inventory shortages proven to kill a business, a well-managed supply chain is critical in any industry or location. Whether you’re in planning, procurement, manufacturing or logistics, developing your supply chain management skills will help you and your company excel.

Whatever your industry, expanding your knowledge will enhance your short- and long-term prospects, ensure better job assignments and create greater career mobility. Instructor-led online university programs also prepare you for certification, which is often the primary path to salary advancement.
Numbers Tell the Story
Advanced training and certification can help you transform a company through heightened productivity, innovation and savings. Statistics show that earning new credentials can also be worth quite a bit to you personally, both in terms of annual salary and job security.

• $102,750 – Average salary of Business Analysts (from the U.S. Department of Labor)
• $101,500 – Average salary of Project Managers (from PMI Project Management Salary Survey – Fourth Edition)
• $100,592 – Average salary of U.S. Six Sigma Black Belts (from iSixSigma magazine)
• $114,210 – Average salary of Certified Information Systems Security Management Professionals (from Certification Magazine Salary Survey)
• $125,833 – Average salary of Directors of Purchasing/Supply Management/Sourcing (from the Institute for Supply Management’s Salary Survey)
• $102,000 – Average salary of Certified Professional Contract Managers (from the National Contract Management Association)