Thread by @EnnieChipembere

When face with the pressures of today, to get a job, a gig, a promotion now, income, the future is a problem for the future.

Don't miss out on the gift that comes from researching future trends, market and organisational ones to "future-proof" yourself.

A thread...

#CoachEnnie

The global career trends below have been made worse by COVID.

- the job market is tighter than pre-COVID times
- jobs don't last forever
- upward promotion is now limited
- there is more lateral growth
- organisations become flatter
- restructures and retrenchments are often

To future proof your career try the "New Traditional" approach:

- define your own success
- change roles often
- don't attach to 1 company
- be a lifelong learning
- build a robust network inside & outside
- enrich your job with growth projects
- have 3 career paths for options

When you mention the word trends, people visualize the latest fashion, food, dance moves or lifestyle things. On social media what’s trending on Twitter, is a short-lived wave of posts and conversation linked to a topic using one hashtag.

Career trends are different. Learn this!

A career trend is movement and transformation of something in a certain direction, which can be developing or established over a long period of time.

For example, we hear about business trends, how the market is predicted to perform and what is forecast for an upcoming period.

Career trends influence job search, business decisions, personal behaviour and actions. Its a key career management skill to learn.

This is because data from trends research forms the basis of observable patterns of gradual change in professions or skills in demand or decline.

Trends research and analysis is useful in career development or job search because:

The process of analysing past data helps you to capture lessons and predict future direction of jobs or organisational decisions.

Agility and quick adaptation to what is happening are key skills

Career trends research is valuable because:

It gives you a birds eye-view of patterns to direct you to either further research, a decision or an action.

It points you to opportunities that you can take advantage of.

You can assess yourself against a trend and learn new skills.

Identified career trends impact career actions such as job search, occupational choices, education decisions, retirement planning, career change and learning investment in skills development.

This is because, at the heart of making good career planning is using the latest info.

Sources of career/job trends info:

Research institutes
Academic publications
Professional Associations
Career services websites
Industry Thought Leaders
Labour Market Information
Government Statistics Depts
News channels
Social media – Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook
Conferences etc

Another source of career/job trends is Thought Leaders in your industry who shape discourse or analyse and share insights:

- follow them
- read their research/blogs
- participate in webinars they offer
- connect with them

Triangulate what you hear with other sources as well.

If you really want to know what the career/job trends are, as well as skills in demand, the internet is full of information... do a webquest and a deep dive research.

When developing a career plan, job search plan, business plan...any plan, information helps you target better.

Proactive career management or job search means you have to track the increased demand or shrinkage of certain jobs or skills.

Use national Labour Market Reports that report on job losses, unemployment rates by location and gender, sectors where jobs are shrinking or in demand.

For career trends research also track reports by career services websites:

Glassdoor – glassdoor.com/index.htm

Indeed – indeed.com/career-advice/

LinkedIn, thebalancecareers.com

@McKinsey is good.

They report on skills in demand, who is hiring, jobs and recruitment trends.

Tap into your social and professional network for leads on career, jobs and skills trends.

The oldest form of getting information about what’s going on, observed changes and an assessment of what’s to come is people. Your social and professional network is a great resource.

Career, job search trends research and analysis is not a one-time event. It must be embedded in your weekly career actions, what you read, watch or have conversations about. With time it will be something you instinctively do like an entrepreneur who is always opportunity seeking

Knowledge of these career/job trends supports you in making decisions about gaps that need upskilling in line with what's coming, in demand and how best to position yourself. This is one of the best ways of future-proofing your career and securing your job and income. Good luck!

I hope you enjoyed my #LearningTuesday thread.

I focused on How to Proactively Plan and Manage you career to futureproof your job and income using Career Trends Research.

If it was useful RT and follow me @EnnieChipembere for more career planning, job search, work-life tips.

#JobAdviceSA #careers #NGOs #careeradvice