How to guarantee your employability over the coming decades
As managers continue to speculate about the challenges, opportunities, and uncertainties associated with the new millennium, thriving and surviving - even remaining relevant - will become a major concern for many. Maintaining your employability will continue to be an ongoing challenge - and it will be your responsibility. To prepare yourself for the uncertain times ahead, consider the following advice...
1. Try to understand what's coming.
You'll have more control over your future if you stay at the cutting edge. Read all you can. Speak with others. Reflect. But be aware of emerging trends - such as these:
- Managers are likely to change their jobs several times during their careers.
- Technology will eliminate old jobs and create new ones.
- Computers and machines will become smarter - and people will need to do the same.
- Staff will have more flexible working arrangements.
- Companies will become 'virtual' through outsourcing, telecommuting, and staff working at home.
- Those who cannot adapt to new technologies will find themselves working harder and achieving less.
- Lifelong learning will be essential.
- People who learn skills quickly will be highly valued in a fast-changing world.
- Training will be delivered 'on demand', whenever people need it, using a variety of technologies.
- Organisations won't pay for the value of the job but for the value of the person.
- Employees will be more independent, moving from project to project within their organisations.
- We will continue to work well beyond the traditional age of retirement.
2. Become familiar with technology - now.
The three-step recipe for employability in the coming decades of rapid change is this - 1. Prepare; 2. Prepare; 3. Prepare. The advance in technology in particular will be very dramatic. Indeed, unless we prepare ourselves by keeping up to date with technology - computers, the Internet, robotics, communications, etc. - we will ourselves become obsolete in the workplace.
3. Be prepared to be mobile.
In an increasingly global economy, supply and demand for managers will require that we adopt a mentality for mobility - a willingness to relocate as markets for our expertise shift. Be prepared for this - mentally, physically, and emotionally - for not only will such moves broaden your horizons, but in addition your expertise and experience will become more marketable.
