How will your job be different five years from now? Will your job even exist in its present form in five years? How about 10 or even 20 years? And over that period, what will happen to the company and industry you work for?
Nobody really knows what the future holds—but we do know that change is a constant in the workplace. So what can you do now to make sure you stay employable and don’t find yourself facing a dead end in your career? Here are some strategies to use:
- Find an “academy company.” If you’re in the early stages of your career, try to find a job at a company renowned for developing its people. When you work for this kind of company, you’ll be enrolled in a continuous development program that goes well beyond the technical skills you need for your current role. Examples of academy companies include Procter & Gamble, General Electric and Hewlett-Packard.
- Get and remain tech-savvy. Much of the change we see has to do with new technology. We keep finding faster and leaner ways to do things. Force yourself to keep your technical skills current, even if new developments don’t seem directly related to your current job. Otherwise, you’ll get left behind and may have to catch up a huge amount before you can head off in a new direction in the future. If that means learning the newest online tools like blogging and web conferencing, do it. If you’re in a highly technical field of work, be proactive and stay current – even when your company does not.
- Develop other, softer skills and experience. Employers are always looking for people who are flexible, adaptable and willing to learn. You also need to develop transferable skills that will be fundamental to almost any job—leadership, communication, innovation, stress management and interpersonal skills
- Think international. So many industries are going global, as technology makes geographical barriers irrelevant. Acquire the ability to work within the international marketplace by learning another language, educating yourself about working with diverse cultures and asking for assignments that require international exposure.
After more than 25 years in the business, the team at Synerfac knows one thing for certain. We can help great employees find great jobs—working for great companies! Call or contact us anytime you’d like to discuss how we can help you plan your career path.