Futureproofing your career sounds complicated...but it really isn’t. It’s about recognising that the world of work is constantly evolving, and making sure you’re ahead of the curve. It’s about paying attention to what’s happening in your industry, and making smart choices so that your skill set, and your network of contacts, is up to date and relevant.
Here’s our top suggestions:- Keep yourself informed: stay abreast of the forces that are shaping your sector and think about what these mean for you and your career. Read professional blogs, sign up to relevant e-zines, join professional bodies and talk to other informed people in your industry.
- Embrace digital: don’t allow yourself to become obsolete because you’re afraid of new technology. Embrace new developments, but at the same time…
- Don’t spread yourself too thin: It’s much more advantageous to do one thing well than ten things poorly. Use your time and effort wisely.
- Be clever about upskilling: really think about what skills are likely to be important in the future – for example data analytics, cloud computing, health and wellness and digital marketing are all areas likely to require skilled talent over the next decade. Which ones do you have an aptitude for?
- Build your network: find people who can inspire and advise you. Knowing like-minded people is important, but so is knowing people who don’t think just the way you do. Allow your thinking to be challenged.
- Keep an eye on the big players: read up on jobs advertisements from the big names in your industry. What skills are they looking for from their employees? Align your skillset with what’s in demand.
- Consider postgraduate education: This has several benefits. Let's start with the obvious: you'll be better educated – and that means you’ll have increased knowledge in your field. You’ll also find, whatever your subject, you’ll have acquired transferable skills alongside specific academic and technical or specialist knowledge. Employers value those skills highly. Finally, achieving a postgraduate qualification indicates commitment to your discipline and work sector – and employers always prefer those who are passionate about, and committed to, their work. Browse our postgraduate courses.
This article was taken from our downloadable Career Development Toolkit, developed with our award-winning Career Development and Employability Service to help you achieve your career goals. If you're looking for a new job, or want to do better in the one you have, download this free resource today!
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