Future Proof your career in these 9 steps

Future-proofing your career doesn’t just mean looking at what’s coming next but also preparing for it. You can do this by up-skilling or finding new skills that will be in demand in the future, or rethinking your current position to make sure it lasts long into the future.

We have seen in recent times just how quickly technology, workplaces and attitudes have changed. Workforce demand is also changing and some careers will simply disappear in the future and be replaced by others. Digital transformation and adoption of new tech and ways of working will see new roles emerge or current roles morph into changed career paths.

If we take accountants for example, there are so many areas of accounting from simple bookkeeping for small businesses to tax specialists, financial change management consultants to technology and financial software experts.

This is a role that has diversified over the years and now has many streams of specialisation. If you were an accountant part of future-proofing your career would be to ensure that you had worked for some time with one of the large accounting firms, moved through a few areas and built an excellent network that you can call on in the future. Being a member of the an association would be a must and keeping up to date with new tech, processes and keeping your skills in line with these new ways of working and new legislation is essential.

Skills are important, they are usually how you got where you are, but what about the future? How do you keep on top of changes, manage the expectations that make you a leader in the pack and get to the top of your game? You regularly do the following:

• network and discuss relevant topics on LinkedIn
• attend trade shows, conferences and share your knowledge and learn from others
• upgrade your skills, if you have Bachelors consider a Masters, if you have a Diploma think about a Bachelors
• do a short course that keeps you up to date with modern tech and processes
• make time to sit with other staff members to see how they manage tasks
• join your industry association and participate, attend events and make yourself known
• write a blog or vlog and become a thought leader in your field of expertise
• read, search and study what is happening in your industry, looking at local and international competition
• subscribe to Skillshare or LinkedIn Learning and take as many online lessons as you can to stay relevant and share your knowledge with your team at meetings or when brainstorming

 

Be mindful not to stagnate and get comfortable in your current role. If you are looking for work then trawl the job ads and make a checklist of the skills that are being asked for vs the skills that your currently possess. This will highlight your skills gaps, then make a plan to address them.

See how many vacant jobs on those job boards you think you could fill right now. If the number is large – around 15-20 then you are well on the way to future-proofing yourself. If the number is low under 5-10 then you have to work on up-skilling yourself and building your reputation.

Choose one area of expertise, an area that you enjoy and love; hone in and really learn everything there is to know about it. This may take time but within your workplace and online you will become and come to be recognised as a specialist in this area. This is how the great well-known business people, surgeons, barristers, judges, racing car drivers, engineers have established themselves within their industry.

By reading this blog, taking in this information and addressing these tips you are already on the right road to future-proofing your career.

Recruitment Central is here to help and we are here when you need us. If you are looking for a person to join your team or you are looking to change careers or companies, speak to us we are waiting to hear from you.