The Workforce is in Evolution, is your Career Future Proof

The Workforce is in Evolution, is your Career Future Proof Recent research suggests that we will have six careers in our lifetime and around 17 jobs.  It sounds crazy, but with a national average tenure of around 3 years, the numbers certainly do add up. Social researchers are abuzz with the topic of ‘the future of work’ and the ‘disruption on business, society, and government’. It is indisputable that technology is increasingly driving globalization and resulting in labor displacement. Think about it this way, ‘Ten years ago, Facebook didnt exist. Ten years before that, we didnt have the Web. So, who knows what jobs will be born a decade from now? Given what we know about the evolving future of work, are you prepared? Or think about it this way do you spend thousands of dollars investing in your health and fitness annually, but little or, worse still, nothing on the health of your career? If so, grab a cuppa, a piece of paper and make a small investment of time to work through the following questions: Am I highly effective at  recognising, creating, utilising, and adapting to opportunities brought about by chance?   Do I feel vulnerable by unplanned events which are often beyond my control? Do I actively invest time on building and nurturing relationships? How good am I at optimising my networks so they work to my advantage? Do I have a clear, consistent message about who I am and what I have to offer which will differentiate me from everyone else?  What personal development should I undertake over the next year to enhance my competitive edge? Rather than listing the bunch of skills that I have, can I confidentially proclaim, ‘my key strengths are…’, along with  my key achievements  and successes? Am I happy in my current role, or would I rather more flexibility in what I do and how I do it? If you are struggling with answering these questions then you are not alone, as it can be tough stuff thinking and talking about yourself. “You are the only person on earth who can use your ability” â€" Zig Ziglar. Personally, I am on my 3rd career and now adopt a ‘portfolio’ approach which enables me to work flexibly, both freelance contracting, collaborating with others and working in my own business.   Each year I proactively assess the ‘health’ of my career and business by taking time to honestly answer these simple questions. “It’s never too late to be what you might have been” â€" author unknown. Vanessa’s encouraging and enthusiastic, yet downright honest and flexible approach will ensure that you get a competitive edge and put your best foot forward.  She delivers ‘real world’ practical career coaching, empowering people of all ages and stages to be the boss of their career.   By Vanessa Vanderhoek www.careerinsidetrack.com