Technology is changing super fast these days. Companies need people who can keep up with all the new gadgets and ideas. That’s why, in job interviews, they might ask you, “How do you keep your technical skills current?”
Over 80% of companies say they have a “skills gap,” meaning they need workers who know the latest stuff. Things like more people leaving their jobs, new tech coming out, older workers retiring, and the pandemic have made this even more important.
Hiring managers are looking for folks who are not just up-to-date but always learning new things. They love it when you’re excited about learning and want to grow with the company. When you show that you keep up with the newest trends, it tells them you’re really into your job and want to help the company stay ahead. Let’s dive into how you can impress them with your answer.
What interviewers want to hear about your technical skills
First off, interviewers want to see if you’re actively keeping your skills up-to-date. They look for people who love learning and are willing to do it on their own and with the company’s help. If this question surprises you, it might be a sign that you’re not really interested in growing your knowledge.
Your answer also helps them see how connected you are to important sources in your industry. Do you read blogs, check out trade magazines, attend conferences, or take training courses? Doing these things keeps you on the cutting edge, and interviewers want to know if you’re staying plugged in.
How to answer “How do you keep your technical skills current?”
Be specific
When talking to the interviewer, it’s important to give clear examples of how you stay up-to-date with your technical skills. Mention the names of blogs you read, courses you’ve taken, or people you follow online. This shows that you’re really engaged and know where to find the latest information.
Here are some ideas:
- Taking online courses: Do you use websites like Coursera, Udemy, or Khan Academy? Maybe you took a coding class or learned about digital marketing. Sharing this shows you’re proactive about learning.
- Subscribing to industry magazines: If you read magazines like Wired, Popular Science, or TechCrunch, let them know. It shows you’re interested in the latest news and trends.
- Reading white papers and case studies: These are detailed reports about new technologies or successful projects. Reading them can give you deep insights into your field.
- Following top bloggers, YouTubers, and podcasters: Do you watch tutorials on YouTube or listen to tech podcasts? Mention who you follow, like Marques Brownlee for tech reviews or freeCodeCamp for coding lessons.
- Obtaining new certifications: If you’ve earned certificates, such as in Microsoft Office, Google Analytics, or coding languages, bring them up. It shows you’ve put in the effort to learn more.
- Attending networking events: Going to meetups, workshops, or webinars helps you learn new things and meet people in your field. Maybe you joined a local tech meetup or attended a virtual conference.
- Attending conferences and trade shows: If you’ve been to events like CES (Consumer Electronics Show) or other expos, share your experiences. Talk about what you learned and how it excited you.
- Being part of a professional organization: Joining groups like the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) or a local tech club shows you’re involved and committed.
- Reading books by thought leaders: Mention any books you’ve read by experts in your field, like Clean Code by Robert C. Martin or The Lean Startup by Eric Ries.
- Experimenting with personal projects: If you’ve built your own app, website, or robot, that’s a great example! Talk about what you did and what you learned from it.
Be enthusiastic
Show the interviewer that you love learning new things. Speak with excitement when you talk about how you keep your skills sharp. Share how you make time for learning in your routine.
- Set learning goals: Maybe you aim to read one article a day about your field or spend an hour each week watching educational videos.
- Share your passion: For example, “I get excited when I learn about new programming languages, so I recently started exploring Python.”
Cite certifications
This is a good time to mention any certificates or courses you’ve completed to boost your skills.
- Technical certifications: “I recently earned a certification in cloud computing from AWS.”
- Continuing education courses: “I completed an online course in graphic design, which helped me understand user interfaces better.”
How not to answer
Avoid giving vague answers
It’s important to not give answers that are too vague or unclear. Simply saying, “I try to stay updated,” without any details doesn’t help the interviewer understand your efforts. They want to know exactly how you’re learning and growing. If you don’t have a real answer, it’s better to be honest and take steps to improve.
Sample answer to “How do you keep your technical skills current?”
Example #1
“As a developer, there’s always so much new stuff to learn, like coding languages and tools. I like to focus on what will help me and my company the most. I read blogs like Geeks for Geeks and The Pragmatic Engineer to keep up with what’s happening in tech. I also watch tutorials on YouTube channels like Traversy Media and freeCodeCamp. This helps me choose which online courses to take on sites like Coursera or Udemy. For example, I recently finished a course on React.js to get better at making websites. I also went to the Progressive Web Experience conference in Clearwater. There, I learned about tools to make websites faster, and I used that knowledge to improve the site at my internship.”
Why this works:
This answer is great because it gives specific examples of how you’re keeping your skills current. You mention the blogs you read, the YouTube channels you watch, and the courses you take. By talking about a conference you attended and how you applied what you learned, you show that you’re proactive and can bring new ideas to your job.
Example #2
“As a new marketing graduate, I know that digital marketing changes all the time. To keep my skills up-to-date, I subscribe to newsletters from HubSpot and Social Media Examiner. I follow experts on LinkedIn who share tips about SEO and social media marketing. I recently earned a Google Analytics certification to understand website data better. I also joined a local marketing group where we talk about new trends and share ideas. This helps me bring fresh ideas and stay ahead in my field.”
Why this works:
This answer is effective because you show that you’re actively involved in learning. By mentioning newsletters, LinkedIn influencers, and a Google certification, you demonstrate that you’re using various resources to stay informed. Joining a local group shows you’re willing to connect with others and learn collaboratively.
Example #3
“As someone starting out in graphic design, I make sure to keep up with the latest design trends and software updates. I follow designers on Instagram and Behance to get inspiration. I watch tutorials on Adobe’s website to learn new features in Photoshop and Illustrator. Recently, I took an online course on UX design to add to my skills. I even worked on a personal project to redesign a friend’s website, using what I learned about making websites easy to use. Doing hands-on projects helps me stay current and improve my work.”
Why this works:
This answer works well because it shows you’re actively learning and applying new knowledge. By following designers and taking courses, you’re keeping your skills sharp. Working on personal projects demonstrates that you’re putting what you’ve learned into practice, which is valuable to employers.
By coming armed with specific education sources and speaking enthusiastically about professional development, you’ll show your interviewer that you’re committed to being the best you can be at your job–which is a win for them.