The world we live in is constantly changing, much faster than it has been in the past few centuries. With Industry 4.0 upon us, there is a concern in the air. We’re unsure what to expect from it, and the biggest worry for most is that automation will replace all our jobs one day, and maybe not one day anymore, but soon. Here are some tips for you to future-proof your career, so the ever-changing world doesn’t have to be such a big worry. What this means is that you’ll be slightly more prepared for anything that comes your way. Will this be enough to give you peace of mind?
Technology can be daunting, especially when you start to think of hackers and how anyone can access your information if they had the necessary skills. But, instead of going down a deep, dark hole and being scared of things you don’t completely understand, get to know them. Take courses and read up about how programmes you’re unsure of work and after you’ve done the theory, use these platforms practically online.
By understanding the unknown, you’re taking back that control. As artificial intelligence becomes more and more popular, we’re going to have to work side by side with it.
Change is scary and sometimes threatening, and that generally means people close themselves off to anything that scares them. Instead of doing that, challenge yourself and be open to the changes that could take place. Learn to expect that anything can happen, when we change our mindsets, we reverse the course of how we react to situations.
It is crucial for you to try and put a positive spin on the unknown and use what we already know to your advantage. For example, if you own a hardware store, we know that digital is on the rise and that people like to shop online. Why not start an online shop? This could expand your consumer base while setting you up for the future.
Ashira Prossack suggests thinking about where you want to be in five years and then figuring out your steps on how to get there. These steps would be an excellent way to train your mind to think ahead.
Expanding on the example of how you could prepare by being open to the changes that are coming, make sure that you have an online presence. Use the free social media tools that are available to you to market your brand or yourself (LinkedIn is an excellent example of this). A website for your store or brand is never a bad idea as customers are then able to understand your offering before visiting your premises. Encourage customers to write reviews online. Peer-to-peer recommendations boost the sales process.
At the same time, clean up your digital profile. Devan Ciccarelli mentions that Googling yourself is never a bad idea and that getting rid of content that makes you look unprofessional is highly advisable.
Talk to and get to know people who are professionals or who are just starting in your industry. Keep open relationships with clients who you are no longer doing work for as you never know what they could mean for you in the future.
By being friendly with people in your industry, you have people who you can turn to when you’re unsure about what to do next. If you’re an amateur, you could learn a lot from those around you as well. Lastly, these people could be open to collaborating with you in the future, which creates more work for you.
Career Profiles suggest joining professional networks, keeping in contact with people you meet along the way and attending seminars. You can take this process into your own hands by organising a get-together for people in your industry, and they will appreciate the invite.
The next tip is to always tap into your creative side. With the presence of AI and technology ever increasing, creativity is something that they do not have and cannot recreate. There are specific careers that digital will not be able to recreate, these include acting, sports, and visual arts.
By thinking creatively, you’ll stand out from your competitors. Brainstorm for a few minutes a day, you never know what fresh ideas you might generate.
As automated customer service is slowly but surely taking over, more and more people are left wanting human attention. Yes, the process can be much faster when all you have to do is click a button, but sometimes we want to speak to a consultant to help us with our issues.
Make sure that the customer service representatives in your business or in the company you work for are excellent. Great customer service will leave a lasting impression with the client, people remember when they have had a good experience with a company or brand. Excellent customer service is a good way to keep the customers you already have!
It’s important to keep up with the trends in your industry and to keep on predicting what is going to happen next. Keep an eye out for what is going on in the world, look at what other thought leaders are saying and take note of them. Keeping yourself in the loop will future-proof your career.
This tip relates to understanding technology, digital and networking, keep educating yourself when you come across something you don’t understand. Even if it has nothing to do with your field, read up on it anyway. You could assist someone with that information at some point where they could then help you in the future as well. The more you know, the better off you’ll be.
The latest Industrial Revolution has proven to cause some discomfort for many, and the only way to face the uncertainty that may come is to prepare for it. Follow these nine tips, and you’ll be sure to future-proof your career.