Put simply, learning agility is the ability to pick up new skills quickly and apply them under pressure. 

This article by mentorCliQ goes more into depth about why it’s so necessary in today’s world. 

Where could you have utilized this in your life before now? (Trust me, you have. You didn’t leave it behind like that English novel you read in grade 10.). 

If you’re a parent heading back into the workforce after years, you’ve gone through some of life’s hardest learning curves. Some people are surrounded by a village that helps them through it. Others have to learn on their own. But the bottom line is this: If you’ve raised a child, you’ve mastered constant problem-solving. You’ve learned how to handle new stages, personalities, and challenges. Each day has required fast thinking and steady growth. Parenting is one of the best examples of learning agility.

Military veterans definitely have this skill. You either learn the ropes or sink. Nothing breeds learning agility like that does. The quicker you learn, the more you can succeed. In the military, you’re trained to act under pressure, adapt to new environments, and follow fast-changing protocols. You’ve had to learn complex systems and apply them in high-stakes situations. That’s learning agility in action. You learn everything from team-building and mental discipline to strategic responsiveness. You’re more than over-qualified for whatever heads your way.

Let’s not forget the people who have balanced education while working either part-time or full-time. That requires incredible time management skills and shows a sense of true responsibility. Even without job experience, students learn agility by juggling schoolwork, navigating new subjects, and figuring out where they’re headed. Every test, group project, and part-time job is a chance to grow this skill. 

There are many other examples that could be given, and still not cover all the different ways life can prepare you for the workforce by growing your learning agility.

It’s a lot of pressure to organize everything and apply. Taking a moment to breathe is never going to hurt. Life is always going to be chaotic and full of surprises. One moment of peace is something you shouldn’t begrudge yourself. 

While applying, your eyes tend to be locked on a screen for HOURS. Hitting the submit button means screen time can finally be over. Hardly recommends stepping away from all screens, big and small. Especially right before sleeping. That text can wait (all non-urgent ones of course) and so can that new TV show. 

Don’t overthink or let yourself join the negativity club. Don’t let yourself spiral into “what ifs.”  Easier said than done, right?

What’s still working for you? That introduction might have been collecting dust for a few years, but at one point it accurately described your abilities and career story. Take the tone or a certain word and refresh it.

🕰 Have you always been good with time-management? Update the wording so that strength finally gets the credit it deserves. 

Before (dusty old intro):“I am a detail-oriented professional with strong time-management skills and a commitment to teamwork.”

After (much better):“A natural multitasker who thrives in fast-paced environments, I balance deadlines, projects, and collaboration with ease. Busy days become my success stories” (a perfect segue to an example of such a success story)

Of course, there isn’t anything wrong with the first introduction. It gets the job done with no extra fluff. In full transparency, the AI that reads it first won’t notice anything amiss. The only thing missing?

(It’s kind of important.) 

It’s your voice. Once your resume and cover letter make it past the initial rounds, which it will, a real person will be scanning cover letter after cover letter. You want to make it stick in their minds. This is your chance to stand out in a clean and memorable way! Make it count.

For more on how to make your resume and cover letter ATS-friendly, click here.

This section is mostly for our high school graduates, but this advice applies to anyone without a degree looking further their careers without one.

Many of the most successful business men and women in the world don’t have a college degree. Their success didn’t come from a diploma. It came from the skills they built and the way they showed up.

Career success today depends far more on real-world experience than formal education.  Every experience you have had has impacted you, whether that’s positively or negatively. It’s up to you to figure out how to channel the growth that each experience has sparked in you into your next steps. 

Working in retail or at your local diner has value. It means you know how to work with people, even in difficult situations. If you had a side hustle in high school, it shows entrepreneurship and the ability to take risks responsibly. Volunteering at your local nursing home shows compassion, willingness to give back to the community, and most importantly, dedication. 

These experiences matter and important to build true character alongside your foundation. You’ve already built the skills you need. Now it’s time to make sure employers see them.

Hardly works hand-in-hand with workforce development centers. Our tools, like our resume builder, help you tell your story clearly and professionally. If your experience doesn’t look traditional, that’s okay. Tell us where you’ve been, and we’ll help you present it in the best way possible.

Some fields like medicine, law, or engineering will always require formal education and hard skills. That’s fair. In recent years, many qualified people have gravitated toward other paths, like those in the trades or other fields like marketing, business, entrepreneurship, and design.

The downside for hiring professionals? Thousands of applicants look nearly identical on paper. They have the same:

degree.

internships.

cover letter rewritten over and over to fit the qualifications.

How do you stand out and differentiate yourself when everyone checks the same boxes?