Refresh Your Skills; Refresh Your Career

Sometimes simply refreshing your skills or your outlook is all it takes to breathe new life into your career. 

By Julie Norwell

Sixteen years into her tenure at a medical supply company, Jocelyn Hirschfeld found herself at a crossroads. She had risen through the ranks—from account manager to senior director of sales and business development—helping transform the organization into a billion-dollar enterprise. But the company had recently been acquired, and the inevitable reorganization gave Jocelyn pause. Although her position was secure, she wondered: Was this the career she wanted to commit to for another 15 years?

“I wasn’t unhappy, but I like to be challenged,” Jocelyn said. She couldn’t see herself continuing as she was. Yet, stepping away from a lucrative and comfortable position was daunting. Was she crazy to rock the boat?

Executives, like Jocelyn, periodically face moments of introspection. Common triggers include company reorganizations, work anniversaries, performance reviews, and the start of a new year. Whether you’re content in your role or frustrated, events like these are ideal times to recalibrate your career trajectory. 

Executives periodically face moments of introspection. Common triggers include company reorganizations, work anniversaries, performance reviews, and the start of a new year.

After working so long for one company, Jocelyn had no idea how to approach a job change. So she hired The Barrett Group for guidance. She began learning new career skills to explore her options, including LinkedIn. 

“There are so many different components of LinkedIn that can capture the attention of people, and I had none of it activated,” said Jocelyn. “Reverse engineering was also important. I actually landed through a recruiter, and I think that he found me thanks to all the work we did on LinkedIn.” 

Jocelyn ultimately obtained a fantastic opportunity promising ample opportunities to keep her challenged. Her experience reflects a universal truth: Growth requires both reflection and action. And sometimes simply refreshing your skills or your outlook is all it takes to breathe new life into your career. 

Back to Basics

There are many angles to refreshing your career skills. A simple but important one is to never underestimate the basics. The fundamentals of professionalism aren’t outdated—they’re timeless. In fact, they are often the deciding factor when opportunities arise. 

During a job search, employers and recruiters value etiquette. In an increasingly fast-paced and informal world, small acts of courtesy can set you apart. Arriving on time for meetings shows respect for others’ schedules. Following up with a personalized thank-you note after an interview demonstrates appreciation and attention to detail. Using salutations and courteous language shows thoughtfulness. These habits may seem minor, but they leave a big impression. They’re a reflection not only of your character but also of how you’ll treat colleagues, clients, and stakeholders in the workplace.

“The Barrett Group Clarity Program© was a real eyeopener for me, especially the DISC profile exercise,” said Peter. “The report included what other people say about me. It wasn’t all positive, but it also made me better understand why my last job failed.”

Written communication deserves a special word here. More and more, company leaders complain that professional communications have become too casual. Phrases like “Can u do this?” and responses like “k” aren’t just inappropriate, they border on rudeness. Overusing slang, emojis, acronyms, and neglecting proper spelling or grammar can seem careless – even disrespectful – especially with senior colleagues or clients. Written communication – even emails – should always reflect the level of professionalism you want to be known for. 

Take a Hard Look in the Mirror

Indeed, in today’s competitive landscape, how you’re perceived matters as much, if not more, than what’s on your resume. Your personal brand – the impression you leave on colleagues, recruiters, and potential employers – can be the key to unlocking opportunities. Is it good? To know for sure, it’s prudent to periodically take a hard look in the mirror. You may not always like what you see, but you’ll have a better idea of what should change.

Peter Witke learned this firsthand. 

“The Barrett Group Clarity Program© was a real eyeopener for me, especially the DISC profile exercise,” said Peter. “It was the scariest experience in my life to answer 24 questions and have it yield a 20-page analytical report about my skills and personality that was spot on! The report included what other people say about me. It wasn’t all positive, but it also made me better understand why my last job failed.”

Tools like personality assessments, 360-degree feedback, or even honest conversations with trusted peers can uncover blind spots. Then you’ll be in a better position to proactively shape your brand. This might involve revising your LinkedIn profile, sharing thought leadership, or focusing on skill-building in areas that will help your career aspirations.

Upskilling in Key Areas

Given the pace of change in technology and workplace demands, staying current with key skills is essential to maintaining a competitive edge. LinkedIn reports that skill sets for jobs have changed by around 25% since 2015. And that number is expected to double by 2027. As a result, businesses are increasingly prioritizing employee skill building for organizational success. Executives should do no less for their career success.

Notably, “human skills” are emerging as requirements for executives to succeed in today’s work world. These include interpersonal communication, leadership, problem-solving, and people management. But executives should also keep their tech skills sharp. Familiarity with essential tools and platforms not only improves productivity but also signals adaptability to potential employers. 

Of course, no discussion of upskilling in today’s job market is complete without artificial intelligence (AI). AI is reshaping industries at a breathtaking pace, and employers increasingly value AI-related skills. More than 90% of companies expect to implement AI solutions by 2028. And, according to one report, employers rank AI as the “most important technology skill set” a job candidate can possess. 

Fortunately, free or affordable resources like LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, and even YouTube tutorials make learning accessible and flexible. One can find information about virtually any topic. Professional career management firms are also a great resource. Such personalized service can identify areas where you don’t even know you’re weak, as was the case for Angela.  

“I teach interviewing…and I thought, ‘Oh my God! I have been saying the wrong thing! I’ve been giving away too much! I’ve been too humble in the way I present myself! I’ve been asking the wrong questions!’” said Angela about her interview training. That flipped a switch for me. I started having so much more success after that.”

Breaking Bad Habits

Even the most seasoned professionals can fall into habits that quietly sabotage their success. Procrastination, lack of follow-through, overpromising, being overly modest – or even overconfident – can pose significant professional risks. Such behavior, though common, can quietly stall your career growth or stymie a job search.

Being adaptable means admitting when something isn’t working and being bold enough to explore new methods.

Ned, for example, had no trouble scoring interviews and becoming a top contender for roles during his job search. But he couldn’t figure out why he consistently came in second place. Ned couldn’t get a job offer – until he hired a professional, who coached him to listen more and not talk over people during his interviews. It worked! Soon after, Ned obtained two job offers in the same week, with a budding third potential offer. 

Breaking bad habits can absolutely refresh your career. Of course, recognizing your problem spots is the first step (See “Take a Hard Look in the Mirror” above). Other critical factors include a willingness to take constructive feedback and embrace adaptability. Being adaptable means admitting when something isn’t working and being bold enough to explore new methods.

Evolve and Thrive

Ultimately, refreshing your skills isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. Every professional can thrive by evolving, and small, intentional changes often lead to significant results. Jocelyn, Peter, Angela, and Ned each transformed their careers by reflecting on their challenges, adopting new approaches, and sharpening the skills that mattered most for them.

Career growth starts with awareness and action. Whether it’s polishing your communication, learning new technologies, or refining how you present yourself, your efforts will make you more competitive – as well as more confident – in your career journey.

Small steps have a way of building momentum. So, the next time you face a moment of introspection—be it the new year, a work milestone, or a professional setback—embrace it as an opportunity. Refresh your skills, refine your outlook, and reignite your career prospects. Your next breakthrough may be closer than you think.

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Written by Julie Norwell, senior writer & content manager at The Barrett Group.

 

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