The new millennium workplace is fast-paced, adaptive, ever-changing. Throughout most industries and services, workers that prove to be adaptable will always prove to be a great asset. Long gone are the days where young people stayed at a job for decades simply because they feared being seen as a ‘job hopper.’ Workplaces today value an employee that is able to adapt to changing circumstances and has a variety of different skills. If there is anything that the pandemic of 2020 has taught us is that being flexible in what you do will make you more resilient in the job market. Having a varied skill-set that transfers into different roles will only be that much more of an asset to any company or employer. Many employers saw their business having to quickly adapt to new regulations, rules, and an entirely changed mentality and mindset. So how do you become more marketable and versatile?
The Moving Workplace and Remote Work Generation
Let’s look at some interesting statistics about work. According to the Balance, only about 54% of Americans think that their employers are loyal to them. This is a big number and a big contrast with the majority that would remain in their jobs for 40 years to get their pension. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, many workers spend five years or less at a job. The median time an employee stayed was 4.3 years for men and 4.0 years for women. Among jobs by workers ages 25 to 34, the median tenure is 2.8 years.
So it is clear that there is a trend in today’s workforce to shift around and move until they land in the opportunity they seek or reach the age that most people begin to settle down.’ Even then, however, the numbers have truly changed from a few generations ago when it was not unheard of to work with one company for decades until you retired.
In today’s world, your job security is not controlled by a few large companies. You control it. Workers today have the ability to move around and manage their own marketability in order to make themselves a more valuable asset to any company.
Get Out of Your Comfort Zone and Try New Options
Becoming a well-rounded employee means getting out of your comfort zone and finding new ways to sharpen your skills, adopting new skills, and obtaining new knowledge about how workplaces function and operate in a 21st-century setting. Whether you are interested in getting some managerial experience or going into a new job or field, gaining experience in different settings might be the kickstart you need. Most people know that they gain new knowledge when they least know about something. Think about a time when you had to begin a new job. There is always that initial period when you are adapting, changing, and learning new things. When you take a chance on something a little bit different, you will keep that open and curious mind and continue to learn new things and be open to different approaches and new ideas.
Build a Professional Social Media Presence
For many employers, the online presence of their employees can tell them a little bit about who they are and what drives them. Needless to say, at this point, it is no secret that employers might take a look at your social media profiles, so it is best to keep it professional and clean all the time. Having an updated LinkedIn profile, for example, can make you seem like an active member of the community.
Demonstrate and Work On Your Soft Skills
We had a post not long ago regarding the terms soft skills and power skills. The argument is that these are very valuable skills that employers need in their workers. People think of soft skills as not exactly quantifiable. Yet, skills like creativity, great communication, versatility, etc, are necessary to excel in any workplace.
Acquire New Skills
There are several ways to do this. To grow as an employee, you can look for ways to increase your responsibility in your current position and seek new challenges. Look around your job and see if you can’t come up with an idea for improving something or changing the way something is done. This will give you an opportunity to present new ideas and act on them. If you are currently looking for a job, you can look at the job ads in your industry and compile a list of the type of skills employers are looking for. Then, go and find a certification program or volunteer opportunities that might help you get those skills you need.
Get the Job Connection You Need to Take the Next Step
Here at Job Connection, we connect you with opportunity. If you are looking to take the next step, to find a new possibility, to change course, it is possible. You might find that the new path in your life starts with a new career path and taking a chance on something new.
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