In a rapidly changing world, some professional skills are more valuable than others. The skills that were most in demand 20 years ago now look quite different. Whether you want to advance in your current role or you are seeking a new job, it pays to develop the sought-after skills that clients and employers need most.

Ryan Shea, a career advice author for The Ladders, has identified six skills that will help you land the highest-paying jobs of 2021. Keep reading this issue of Promotional Consultant Today for Shea’s insight into the skills worth developing in the new year.

1. Financial management skills. You do not have to work in the finance field or have a natural knack for numbers to reap the field’s high-income potential. By honing your financial management skills, you can set yourself apart as someone who can manage client budgets effectively, forecast marketing spends and oversee the financial aspects of promotional campaigns.

2. Sales skills. Continuing to refine your sales skills is another way to increase your earning potential in the year ahead. Spend time honing your soft sales skills, such as learning how to be more empathetic and seeking new ways to better support your fellow sales reps. Fortunately, many sales training videos and resources are available to help you polish your sales skills, says Shea.

3. Writing skills. Communication is key in sales, which is why it pays to improve your writing skills. If you cannot write effective emails or if you make constant grammatical mistakes, you can’t expect to impress potential clients or employers. Shea recommends taking grammar quizzes and learning how to vary your sentence structure accordingly.

4. Communications and public relations skills. If you are like many sales professionals, you have the gift of gab. You can use this to your advantage by honing your communications and PR skills, says Shea. One way to do this is to maximize your social media presence. He suggests looking at companies that you admire and mirroring their social media so you provide your audience with content that people want to like or double tap.

5. Project management skills. To land bigger paychecks in 2021, Shea suggests beefing up your project management skills. You could master key skills like mapping out timelines or planning projects from start to finish. There are many moving pieces in sales and marketing campaigns, and when you can show you know how to manage them all, you help differentiate yourself from those who lets things fall through the cracks.

6. Public speaking skills. The gift of gab applies to this skill, as well, says Shea. To close big deals, you must be able to powerfully communicate value and show that you have the best solution for the problem. Shea says you can boost your public speaking skills by checking in on clients periodically online. You could create Zoom chats that allow you to address clients and also hear what they have to say.

When you learn and refine high-income skills, you can help propel your career forward, differentiate yourself from others and bring home more money. Start by honing the skills above to give your career and income a boost in 2021.

Compiled by Audrey Sellers

Source: Ryan Shea is a career advice author for The Ladders.