Do you have any idea what your job prospects will look like in a few years? Will your job even exist 10 years from now? These are questions we can’t always be sure of but being prepared for challenging situations ensures you are set for a stable career. If you’re worried about the job market and how safe your career is in these unprecedented times, it may be worth considering how you can future-proof your career to prepare you for unfortunate scenarios that could put your job on the line. This blog will provide some useful tips to take on board:
1. Accept that change is unavoidable
Regardless of how secure your job role is and how well-planned your career may seem at the current time, you must acknowledge the fact that nothing stays the same. Accept that change is likely to happen in the near future – and this is completely out of your control. Technology is going to continuously evolve, which could in turn put your job at risk, but also potentially opens up new opportunities to those who have a clear ambition of getting into the technology sector. The sooner you recognize that change will always be on the horizon, the quicker you can make sensible choices on how to adapt to future proof your career.
2. Get into computing
Computer science is an extremely popular career niche to branch into in the current climate, for the sole reason that technology is taking over all aspects of our lives, from the ability to socialize online, the advancement of cars, and the everyday amenities we use.
It’s easy to see that as technology develops, the need for professionals in the computing industry is also on the rise. Companies are desperate for individuals in all areas of computing, yet there are many more positions in this sector available than the talent to fill them. It is predicted that job prospects will grow 37% by 2022, so it’s easy to see that companies need more candidates within their workforce to keep up with the demand.
STEM jobs (those in science, technology, engineering, and math) are just some of the sectors that utilize the skill of computing, therefore, it is a career you should closely consider if you wish to have the element of job security in the future. Find out more about the STEM industry and its link with computer science here.
3. Broaden your transferable skills
Regardless of which career you’re hoping to branch into, you’ll need a core set of transferable skills to help you succeed in the industry. Transferable skills (otherwise known as soft skills) are those which can be used within any sector and could open doors into new careers that you have never thought about before, and potentially even improve your long-term employability. Technology is unable to provide the human touch, for the reason that we’re not yet at the stage where machines and robots can develop emotional intelligence and this is where soft skills come in useful. Some transferable skills you need to be aware of, include:
- Teamwork
- Organization
- Communication
- Decision-making
- Stress-management
- Problem-solving
- Critical thinking
- Creativity
So, why can soft skills give you an opening into almost any career route? Simply because they are vital to each business in terms of boosting output and efficiency. Although they may not be specific to the job, they are highly valued in any workplace scenario and should, therefore, dramatically improve your job prospects.
While certain soft skills maybe not be stated in most job descriptions, it doesn’t mean that they aren’t a crucial aspect of the hiring process in finding the right candidate. They ultimately show the development of your mentality, capabilities, and knowledge to succeed which ultimately, makes you far more attractive to employers and may even set you apart from other candidates.
4. Build your professional network
If you’re unsure which profession to get into, it would also be worth building your professional network to boost your exposure and potentially even offer you a platform to explore niches you had never considered previously. While it is extremely easy to increase your following on sites such as Twitter or LinkedIn to expand your professional network, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re beneficial links that will push your career forwards.
Instead, it’s about building solid relationships with individuals, rather than adding random contacts that could be hit and miss in terms of enhancing your career development. When you come across someone who may be beneficial for personal progression, write them a personal message that introduces yourself and shows interest in their work. You may be surprised at the replies you receive.
Other ways of networking may be attending industry events, attending seminars, or even job fairs to get your name out there and meet professionals in your desired niche.
5. Think globally
You may be at the stage where you are stuck in a rut and simply don’t know how to widen your horizons, you may need to change your mindset and adopt new attitudes. You may not realize it, but there are so many opportunities around the world, which could expand your horizons and lead you onto new paths. You could research job openings in your niche in other countries or take on volunteer work abroad to add a new experience to your resume. According to research, employers appreciate candidates who have had international experience.
6. Develop resilience
Of course, the future is completely unpredictable so you’re likely to encounter obstacles no matter how much you prepare for a situation. Take comfort in the fact that even the most successful individuals have been forced to overcome setbacks that have delayed their progress, but it is through developing resilience that they have bounced back from challenges and reached their goals. By taking on this attitude, you are ultimately future-proofing your career, as well as taking care of your health and wellbeing.
Jobs that are stable
Now we have covered some of the key tips on how to future-proof your career, you may want to look at some of the key job roles which are guaranteed stability in the near future. Here are just a few you may wish to carry out more research into and make a well-informed decision on your career development:
1. Data specialist
Unlike manually recording information, data is now recorded onto systems daily. As a result, this has since turned into a full-time position for those interested in a career in the technology sector. There are hundreds of roles in data that may be of interest including the likes of data scientists, data analysts, and intelligence officers.
2. Computing
In the current day and age, there has been a heavy focus on communication, and in the next 10 years or so, this is expected to develop dramatically, thanks to the introduction of newer and more advanced technologies. The sharing of information will be easier than ever thanks to improved communication systems, while e-commerce stores will become much more popular than brick-and-mortar stores, which of course, will create the need for cybersecurity software to prevent customer information and private data from being leaked or hacked.
In all industries, computing has become a significantly crucial aspect to help speed up processes and create new methods of completing tasks. As a result, computer specialists are in extremely high demand; including the likes of computer programmers, coders, and security software experts.
3. Product design
Despite the developments in technology taking over a large number of sectors, there is nothing available on the market at the current time that can replace human creativity. Therefore, if you believe you have a creative mindset and enjoy designing, you’re almost guaranteed a stable job in the near future. Some of the most well-paid jobs in product design are those in the design of cars, appliances, and electronics.
4. Senior management jobs
All businesses need to be managed by someone with managerial skills and knowledge and no form of technology can replace this necessity, therefore, there will always be a huge demand for candidates within the management sector who are suitable in order to keep companies afloat and ensure that employees are on hand to complete the tasks that are required of them.
Businesses across the world have been affected by the repercussions of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, which has put millions of jobs at risk across the world, while millions of more people have been made redundant. It is difficult to decide which niche to go into if you’re worried about the element of job security as no industry is safe at the current time, but there are certain ways you can enhance your employability or venture into certain industries that have a potentially secure future. We hope this guide has given you some useful pointers and tips to consider if you’re looking to make a career change or if you want to know how to boost your job security – good luck!
