How to Prepare for the Jobs of the Future
The future of work is changing quickly, and the jobs of tomorrow will be different than today. A new study from the World Economic Forum reveals the emerging jobs that are in urgent demand worldwide.
According to the report, 37% of projected opportunities will be in the care economy; 17% in sales, marketing and content; 16% in data and AI; 12% in engineering and cloud computing; and 8% in people and culture. The following resources can help prepare for the trends of tomorrow.
Seek resources to upskill
Upskilling requires learning on the job to remain relevant in the changing future. There are numerous opportunities to embrace and volunteer for upskilling. Have a conversation with your manager about how you can fit into the organization’s long-term plans through upskilling. More companies are planning to build talent within their workforce, with 84% of organizations planning to upskill employees in 2020 – an exponential increase from 21% in 2011, according to a ManpowerGroup report.
Cultivate learnability
Candidates who can demonstrate higher cognitive skills, creativity and the ability to process complex information, together with adaptability and likeability, can expect greater success throughout their careers. To meet these needs, workers need to cultivate their Learnability and continue to grow their soft skills.
Join industry associations
The best industry associations offer many practical benefits including certification, conferences, webinars, networking events and job boards. Industry associations often commission industry research, so members can keep up with trends that are likely to shape the industry. All these benefits are important to anyone looking for a job, especially in a new and emerging field. Look into joining a recognized industry association to stay current with your job skills.
Don’t ignore soft skills
Overall, soft skills are not going away. ManpowerGroup's report Robots Need Not Apply: Human Solutions in the Skills Revolution surveyed 20,000 employers across 42 countries on the impact of automation, and found that soft skills are of greatest value are hardest to find. Developing soft skill abilities can have an immediate and long-term impact on your career. And those are the transferable skills that will continue to be in demand.
No matter what work you do, the ability to learn, unlearn, relearn is vital to advancing your career. Employers are looking for candidates with skills and adaptability for this changing environment.