As a technology professional, you know the importance of keeping your skills up-to-date with evolving industry trends. While that may be easier said than done, those who take the initiative to develop their technical skillset will find themselves at a great competitive advantage to those who have become complacent in their roles. From Big Data to Mobile App Development, there are a lot of places to start, but there is one skill in particular that can put you in a league of your own: Microservices.

“In today’s digital age, every company utilizes technology in some way,” explains John Carey, a Director at ES Technology, a division of The Execu|Search Group. “As a result, organizations from all different industries, ranging from accounting/finance to retail/e-commerce, are investing in new platforms and software. They need the technical expertise to not only support these initiatives, but also ensure the business can move forward as the technology advances. Ultimately, this is the reason why the demand for professionals with experience in Microservices has reached unprecedented levels.”

While the Microservices architectural style is an approach that has been present for the past decade, it’s become more widely adapted in recent years due to reputable organizations such as Netflix and Amazon successfully implementing this logic. “While many companies are still weighted towards monolithic applications, the integration of new technology is requiring many of them to reevaluate the way they deliver their services,” notes John. “In sum, Microservices is a more efficient, scalable, and flexible architectural style. It allows an organization to build their application as a suite of services rather than one monolithic code—essentially making it easier to change and maintain.”

To deconstruct their monolithic platform and rewrite it as a set of Microservices, these organizations need the help of experienced architects and front-end and back-end developers. The only problem? There is a major shortage of professionals who possess this skillset. “Since the transition to this architecture style is an emerging trend, the demand for these candidates certainly outweighs supply,” explains John. “That’s why those who acquire these skills can create a powerful advantage for themselves. It’s an area of specialization that will be in demand for the foreseeable future, and those who can master it now will position themselves for some very lucrative opportunities.”

To help you take advantage of this hiring trend, here are 3 ways to get acquainted with Microservices:

Temp Assignments/Side Projects: If you are an experienced developer or architect, there are plenty of opportunities to gain exposure to Microservices through short-term assignments or projects. As you will be working with team members who are already well versed in this logic, experience is not necessary to land one of these positions. As an added bonus, these assignments are very flexible in nature, so you can work as many hours as your schedule permits.

Online Tutorials + Training Manuals: Learning a new architectural style takes time and effort, and online tutorials and training manuals can serve as a great resource. Most tutorials and online courses cover the basics, including how to build, test, integrate, maintain, secure, and scale up Microservices, so it’s worth investing in one of these programs. Doing so, also shows prospective employers that you took the initiative to learn a new skill on your own—something that will give them confidence in your ability to adapt to quickly changing business needs and ensure the company stays up-to-date with evolving tech trends.

Your Local Tech Community: One of the advantages of working in a major tech hub is that you have access to a wide network of like-minded professionals. “One of the best ways to learn about emerging trends and connect with industry-related leaders is to participate in your local tech community,” advises John. “For example, you can search for groups that are relevant to Microservices on a site like meetup.com to learn about any upcoming events or networking opportunities.”