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|| personal development | CAREER AND BUSINESS
an interpreter at business negotiations or during a trip
to a foreign exhibition. Even if this knowledge isn’t im-
mediately relevant to your job, business owners will
surely have you on their radar as an asset if you know
a foreign language.
Computer processing of photographs
To the uninitiated, software for editing photographs
can seem like a conglomeration of incomprehensible
functions. But it’s certainly to your advantage to be
adept with that software; every company needs distinc-
tive, polished, professional-looking photographs. Learn
the skill of high-quality processing of photographs, and
list that skill in your curriculum vitae. The human re-
sources department and your immediate supervisor will
take note.
Skill at solving business problems
Every employer wants to hire a specialist who has
a good handle not only on his own narrow occupation,
but also on problem-solving. Actual and virtual semi-
nars, online courses, and Webinars will help you learn
the subtleties. Take a course, and in a small company
you’ll not only begin putting what you’ve learned into
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practice, but will soon be seated just to the right of the
boss, who will want to confer with you on many ques-
tions related to formulating business tasks and manag-
ing projects.
Public speaking ability
Many people get nervous if they have to speak in
front of a group. Ease and skill at public speaking is a
significant advantage to a contender for career ad-
vancement. Take an eloquence course. First, it will help
you ace a job interview, and second, the ability to speak
confidently, state your thoughts precisely, and present
projects in a positive light will be a feather in your cap.
If you are normally uneasy about putting yourself in the
spotlight, taking lessons in eloquence or improvisation
is even more necessary to overcome your innate inhibi-
tion and learn to feel at ease even when you are at the
center of people’s attention.
The time and money you invest in yourself is effort
well spent. Every tool you put in your toolbox will in-
crease your value as an employee and get you that leg
up on the ladder to success.