5 Tips to Prepare for Today’s Changing Work Climate

Posted on February 26, 2016

In today’s work world, there are no guarantees other than the certainty of change. Changing markets, the need for new skills, the impact of technology, all contribute to the uncertainty of our work. It is estimated that in the course of a normal working life span, the average individual starting out in the workforce today will experience 5 to 8 career changes. That is not a shift in where they are working, but a shift in what they are doing. Add in the number of locations they will work, and there is significant change.

So what should we do to manage ourselves in this world of change? It’s all about planning. Here are some suggestions:

1. Count on change happening; it is inevitable. Be prepared. Finding work may take 3 to 6 months on average, so have sufficient financial resources set aside to meet this challenge. Without this comfort, your options become limited.
2. Evaluate your marketability. Ask yourself while you are working “If I lost my job tomorrow, could I find a new one?” Review your options in work. Evaluate if you have all the necessary skills and experiences needed, and pursue any shortfalls. Look at Want Ad roles that interest you and assess your match to the qualifications. What can you do to improve your qualifications?
3. Build your network and network regularly. Everyone should network for a minimum of 20 minutes every week – an email, a conversation, a telephone call. Stretch yourself to network with new contacts, always with the intent of building connections to a new job or career. Having these contacts in place is a huge help when you need to look for new work.
4. Never stop learning. Take courses. There is so much available training online now. Get involved in new situations and challenges both in and out of your current work environment.
5. Keep your resume current and up to date. Support it with statements of the events and accomplishments you have experienced as evidence of your abilities in your field.

All of these steps are insurance that help prepare us should we lose our job. It is all the more challenging when we haven’t prepared and we are faced with having to put these things in place when job loss occurs. This will make the job search process more stressful and most likely lengthen the time it will take you to land your next opportunity.

Paul Rose is a Career Counsellor at Carizon Family and Community Services.