What is a skill gap and how do I close it?

A skill gap is the difference between your proven abilities and the requirements of your target role. Three ways to close it: 1) Formal training (courses, certificates — Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, IHK), 2) Practical projects (open source, side projects, volunteer work), 3) Positioning (framing existing transferable skills to bridge the gap). Important: Not all skills need to be 100% fulfilled at entry — most job adverts describe the ideal profile, not the minimum.