Last updated on Apr 9, 2024
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Here’s what else to consider
If you are a product developer, you know how important it is to keep your skills up to date and relevant in a fast-changing market. But what if you feel like your product development skills are not meeting employers' expectations? How can you identify and close the gaps in your knowledge and abilities? Here are some tips to help you improve your product development skills and boost your confidence.
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- Palak Awasthi Software Engineer 2 @PayPal | 52k+ @linkedIn | Mentor @Preplaced @Topmate | M.Tech @NIT Allahabad | Ex- @Qualcomm |…
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- Zulqarnain Javed
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- Priscila Kobayashi, MBA Product and Project Engineer|Planning and Quality Specialist|Process Management and Continuous Improvement
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1 Assess your current skills
The first step is to honestly evaluate your current product development skills and compare them to the requirements of your current or desired role. You can use self-assessment tools, feedback from peers or mentors, or online quizzes to get a sense of your strengths and weaknesses. You can also look at job descriptions, industry trends, or best practices to identify the skills that are in demand and relevant for your field.
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- Zulqarnain Javed
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If your product development skills are not meeting employers' expectations, it's essential to take proactive steps to improve and enhance your capabilities. Here's what you can do1: Identify Areas for Improvement2: Seek Feedback3: Invest in Learning and Development4: Gain Hands-on Experience5: Build a Portfolio6: Network and Collaborate7: Stay Current with Industry Trends8: Develop Soft Skills9: Set Goals and Track Progress10: Stay Persistent and Resilient
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- Priscila Kobayashi, MBA Product and Project Engineer|Planning and Quality Specialist|Process Management and Continuous Improvement
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If product development skills fall short of employers' expectations:Self-Evaluation: Assess strengths and weaknesses in product development competencies.Feedback Seeking: Request constructive feedback from supervisors or mentors to gain insights into areas for improvement.Skill Gap Identification: Identify specific areas of product development where improvement is needed, such as market research, prototyping, or project management.Training and Development: Pursue professional development opportunities, such as workshops, courses, or certifications, to enhance product development skills and meet employer expectations.
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2 Set learning goals
Once you have a clear picture of your skill gaps, you need to set realistic and specific learning goals that will help you bridge them. For example, if you want to improve your user research skills, you can set a goal to complete a course, read a book, or conduct a project on user research methods and tools. You can also use the SMART framework to make your goals more measurable and achievable.
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- Priscila Kobayashi, MBA Product and Project Engineer|Planning and Quality Specialist|Process Management and Continuous Improvement
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If product development skills aren't meeting employer expectations:Identify Weak Areas: Pinpoint specific aspects of product development needing improvement.Establish SMART Goals: Set Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound objectives for skill enhancement.Seek Resources: Utilize online courses, workshops, or mentorship programs to acquire necessary knowledge and expertise.Regular Evaluation: Assess progress periodically and adjust learning goals as needed to ensure continual improvement and alignment with employer expectations.
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3 Choose learning resources
There are many learning resources available for product developers, such as online courses, books, podcasts, blogs, webinars, or workshops. You can choose the ones that suit your learning style, budget, and schedule. You can also look for recommendations from other product developers, industry experts, or online communities. However, make sure you choose quality and credible resources that will provide you with valuable and relevant information and skills.
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- Priscila Kobayashi, MBA Product and Project Engineer|Planning and Quality Specialist|Process Management and Continuous Improvement
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If product development skills fall short of employer expectations:Online Courses: Enroll in platforms like Coursera or Udemy offering courses on product development methodologies, design thinking, or project management.Industry Publications: Read books, articles, and whitepapers relevant to product development trends and best practices.Workshops and Seminars: Attend workshops or seminars hosted by industry experts to gain practical insights and networking opportunities.Mentorship: Seek guidance from experienced professionals within the organization or industry who can provide personalized advice and support in skill development.
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4 Apply and practice
Learning new skills is not enough; you need to apply and practice them in real or simulated scenarios. This will help you consolidate your learning, test your understanding, and gain feedback and experience. You can apply and practice your new skills by working on personal or professional projects, joining hackathons or challenges, volunteering for non-profit organizations, or seeking mentorship or coaching.
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- Carson Chow Kim Poh (PMP, SSBB) Product Development Senior Manager at Dominant Opto Technologies Sdn Bhd
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Seek Feedback.Seek input from your superior or field expertise in the company about the skill needed most to excel in this job role. Approach them with a positive and open mindset, asking for specific examples of where they feel your skills may be lacking. Listen attentively without being defensive
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- Carson Chow Kim Poh (PMP, SSBB) Product Development Senior Manager at Dominant Opto Technologies Sdn Bhd
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Seek Feedback.Seek input from your superior or field expertise in the company about the skill needed most to excel in this job role. Approach them with a positive and open mindset, asking for specific examples of where they feel your skills may be lacking. Listen attentively without being defensive
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5 Keep learning
Product development is a dynamic and evolving field, so you need to keep learning and updating your skills constantly. You can do this by following industry news, blogs, podcasts, or newsletters, joining online or offline communities or networks, attending events or conferences, or taking courses or certifications. You can also set periodic reviews of your learning goals and progress, and celebrate your achievements.
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1.Identify Weaknesses: Assess areas where your skills may be lacking or where you are receiving feedback from employers.2.Seek Feedback: Request specific feedback from employers or colleagues to understand where improvements are needed.3.Training and Development: Invest time in additional training, courses, or workshops to enhance your product development skills.4.Practice and Application: Apply newly acquired knowledge and skills in real-world projects or scenarios to gain practical experience.5.Continuous Improvement: Continuously evaluate and refine your skills through self-assessment, feedback, and ongoing learning opportunities.
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- Priscila Kobayashi, MBA Product and Project Engineer|Planning and Quality Specialist|Process Management and Continuous Improvement
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If product development skills don't meet employer expectations:Embrace Continuous Learning: Stay updated on industry trends, tools, and methodologies.Skill Enhancement: Invest time in self-study, workshops, or online courses to refine abilities.Seek Feedback: Solicit constructive criticism from peers or mentors to identify areas for improvement.Practice Patience: Progress takes time; remain committed to ongoing skill development to meet and exceed employer expectations.
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6 Here’s what else to consider
This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?
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Facing a gap in product development skills, a professional decided to bridge it by focusing on learning UX design, a critical area they were lacking. They began by enrolling in an online course renowned for its comprehensive curriculum and hands-on projects. Through this course, they not only learned theoretical concepts but also applied them by working on a series of design projects that simulated real-world scenarios. To further enhance their learning, they joined a local UX design community, participating in workshops and receiving constructive feedback from experienced designers.
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