The future of work is constantly changing. Remote work is becoming more common than ever, as is AI and tech-driven industry. How can you be sure that your career will withstand the test of time? Try these tips to future-proof your career.
Stay on Top of Tech Trends
While AI and automation are inevitable (Fast Company), that doesn’t mean that jobs will go away. With every revolutionary period in history, a new class of jobs is ushered in with the latest technology. As technology, AI, and automation progress, make sure you stay on top of industry trends. Read articles, keep up-to-date with news sources, and watch for how the tech in your own industry is progressing. See if you can predict how automation may impact jobs and careers within your industry, and engage in conversations with industry leaders. Robert Half also recommends taking the initiative to learn new technologies on your own before you’re in a situation where you’re forced to learn them quickly. By having a pulse on the trends, you’ll have an advantage in your career path.
Work on Your Leadership Skills
Leadership skills are critical in a changing career environment. Robert Half suggests that work in the future will be mostly self-driven, so leadership skills will be essential for future careers. Continue to work on your leadership skills at every stage of your career.
Elevate Your Soft Skills
When you think about the advancement of automation and AI, there is one thing that AI can’t replicate, and that is humanity. The soft skills that make us human are critical to future-proof your career. Forbes recommends honing communication skills and practicing skills that further your emotional intelligence. These traits differentiate us from machines, and they will be crucial in the future, so it is essential to practice them in your career now. Working in a remote environment makes practicing soft skills slightly more difficult, but you can still make an effort. Reach for the phone or schedule a video call instead of sending an email so that you can add a human element to interactions.
Flex Your Creativity
Just like soft skills, creativity is another human trait that AI and automation can’t quite replicate. Creativity is always in demand, in every industry, because it generates new ideas and progress. Foster creativity both in your professional and personal life. Career Profiles recommends becoming a creative expert in a field that you’re passionate about. There are many ways to weave creativity into your daily work, which will help to future-proof your career in the long term.
Cultivate a Love of Learning
Many people fall into the trap of graduation from college or a program and getting into a career and then never developing or learning additional skills. To really future-proof your career, you need to cultivate a love of learning. By developing a love of learning itself, you’ll help to secure your career. When you love to learn, you’ll naturally seek out new skills, techniques, and knowledge that will put you and your career on an advanced path. Forbes found that employers that created a culture of learning had also created the most opportunities for success. This holds true for your own career – the more you’re willing to learn, the more successful you’ll be.
Pivot
Be ready to pivot. With any change, you’ve got to be flexible and willing to adapt. When you’re a rigid person by nature, this can be difficult to overcome. Learn more about your own personality and how your traits impact your stress and work with our assessment, and then take those tips and learn how to become more adaptable. Robert Half recommends staying flexible to future-proof your career. Your job title does not define you, so think beyond the title and apply your skills and experiences to a wide variety of jobs.
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