How to make Yourself More Marketable
(1) Personal Development
Personal development (reading, learning, and being around likeminded successful people) provides specific knowledge on important situations. Learning what to do produces confidence. This is a key step, for many, in replacing anxiety at interviews with a solid sense of purpose. "The separation is in the preparation." This can include developing skills in the following areas: relationships, leadership, presentations, interviews and interviewing, client relationships, client development, handling conflicts. This can help in business and family relationships.
(2) Building Your Network
Building a network in your industry and with people who have common interests is fun and useful. It builds your visibility and your access to possible employers and business contacts.
(3) Knowing What You Want
Look at the lifestyle of people who already work in the occupation you are considering. You will likely have similar working hours, family time, income level, interests, values, and expectations. Is this what your really want? If not, are you prepared to work towards your lifestyle goal. If you choose an occupation, it will almost certainly define your life. If you choose your life, you can steer your occupation to achieve the desired result.
(4) Seeking Guidance
There is no substiture for obtaining guidance from people who have already done what you want to do. If you know experts or people who can connect you with experts, value and develop these relationships. 10 minutes with an expert can save years of effort. In other cases, it is up to you to study and learn the right questions to ask, and who to trust, in order to move through roadblocks.
Putting it all Together
Deciding what you want in life with an attitude of continual learning and relationship building, combined with a growing base of quality connections, is a satisfying way of opening doors for new positions and opportunities. The good news is that all this can be done on a $0 budget. If you have a desire to grow, and commit to consistent effort, you can expect a lifetime of productivity.