You’ve probably heard the term being thrown around in numerous self-help circles across the internet. High-income skill this, high-income skill that. It’s been much touted as the holy grail for all the world’s employees, the key to unlocking the golden door beyond which lie all their dreams and desires.
I mean, high-income skills are pretty useful for an all-around upgrade to your life, but it’s not like they’re the quick fix they’re “established” to be – or even the key to solving all your life’s problems. Also, they take time to learn. Serious effort. And a great deal of patience.
Still with me? Great – that means you’re up to the task. (C’mon, did you seriously think I’d be trying to convince you the whole time to not become a better employee… on a website TEACHING you how to become a better employee? Get outta here!)
In all fairness, I’m all for learning high-income skills and using them to give yourself a better professional and personal life; however, I also like to ground myself (and the reader) in reality, especially before segueing into the ‘promised land’ phase.
That said, the intro is getting too long, so I might as well start by answering…
What are high-income skills, anyway?
If it didn't cross your mind, feel free to skip this section. I’m not going to be salty about it. Promise… Assuming you’re still here and not a couple of lines down this page, here’s the answer, in a nutshell: “The ability, coming from one’s knowledge, practice, aptitude, etc. to do something well [and be paid handsomely for it].”
I added that bracketed part, by the way. Granted, “high-income” is a pretty subjective term, in that it could mean vastly different things for different people. For some, it could mean having a six-figure annual salary; for others, it could be beating the median household income within their country. (The United States’ was around $67,521 in 2020… so if you’re making more than that, rejoice in the fact that your financial situation is deeply sought after by millions all over the world. Honestly, I have no idea if that’s true. Do your own research.)
That said, the list below is going to only be concerned with roles that offer significantly above-average earning potential. So keep that in mind as you go through it. Onward!
And… Why should I learn said skills?
That’s a great question, Bucko. That means you’re paying attention. Well, the answer is a little bit complex so bear with me as I unpack it for you. Firstly, the obvious reason is if you want a high-pay job, you better have something to back it up, right? High-income skills will do that.
Secondly – and this is a more indirect route – your skillset might potentially include ones that can be of great benefit to you during your job search. They may help you identify better opportunities for you personally (via increased discernment and common sense) or craft a much more compelling cover letter or CV.
Thirdly, high-income skills can (and probably will) make a better interviewee out of you. You’ll be more confident when answering questions and definitely more assured; after all, having those kinds of skills in your professional arsenal makes you much more attractive as a candidate.
How to brandish your high-income weapons when courting hiring managers
In other words, how do you tell potential employers about all the great stuff you’re capable of doing? There’s a way of going about it, and… it’s not haphazard. So, might as well pay attention, hm?
Generally speaking, the hiring process starts the moment a hiring manager is looking at your CV or cover letter. By then, you’ll want to have done a couple of things: First, being accomplishment-oriented as you mention your skills. By baking them into impressive achievements, you’re showing exactly how hiring you will make the employer’s life easier. Doing it that way as opposed to simply mentioning them in passing will seize their interest.
Digital marketing example (digital marketing is a high-income skill):
Digital Marketer
Second, start getting comfortable with the idea of going the extra mile with each job you apply to. Meaning, you’ll want to spend all the time you can personalizing and tailoring your application – cover letter (duh) and resume included – to the job at hand. Speak directly to your employer’s needs. This will (relatively) have far more impact on your chances of getting hired than anything you put in your application.
Third, you’ll be discussing relevant points (which you should have identified in the previous step) in the interview when you meet with the hiring manager. Feel free to also give more details regarding the accomplishments you’d have listed in your CV (great opportunity to tell a story!).
But what if I don’t have any high-income skills? :(
Worry not, for I will provide you with the guidance you require. As I said, though, this is going to take time, so don’t expect to be all stand-to overnight. That said, here are a few avenues you can take to start cultivating some money-making skills:
Is it just me, or do I feel like groaning when I see those two words so closely affixed together? Anyways, the clutches of formal education are inevitable, aren’t they? After all, many high-income skills you’ll be using are part of jobs that require you to have a degree or professional certificate. So, if you’re going to go down this route, might as well pick up some skills along the way.
In my opinion, this is the best option to take in terms of cost and ROI. I’ve taken this one regularly. From the comfort of my own home (granted, some university programs don’t require you to be physically there), I can learn at my own pace via books, online courses, free content, or anything within the same vein. (I prefer paid content because it forces me to take learning seriously; also, everything’s organized instead of me scrambling as I try to piece the whole puzzle together on my own.)
If you’re on the more serious end of the spectrum, I have three words for you: People, people, people. This is so key. I couldn’t really grasp its importance until I experienced it firsthand, so please try to let this land. Having mentors, aside from the shortened learning curve you’ll be experiencing, will net you access to an abundance of connections and opportunities that, in the long run, will prove beyond invaluable.
They’ll connect you to potential employers, other employees and act as a great source of guidance and support. Plus, they’ll make your life a lot easier as you go about learning a new skill.
Have the skeletal skill but need the experience to flesh it out? Personal projects, side hustles, and volunteer jobs can do the trick. You’ll get to test your new abilities out in the sandbox that is the professional world, improve them, and do both with little downside to boot. Amazing, right?
Your Top 30 High Income Skills For 2022 And Beyond
Without further ado, here are the top 30 high-income skills to learn for this year and all the years to come… Enjoy.
Pssst… Want more career-growing and life-boosting advice like this? Check out this page!
