5 Ways To Future-Proof Your Career
Regulars | Article

5 Ways To
Future-Proof Your Career

5 Ways To Future-Proof Your Career
As natural worriers, Singaporeans constantly think about job security and longevity. Every new decade brings a slew of modern problems – artificial intelligence, digitalisation of roles and obsoleteness of skill sets. In view of these challenges, there may be five ways that could future-proof your career.

Develop In-demand Skills and Experience

Your tertiary education may not suffice in guiding you along your career. If 21st century skills like critical thinking and communication skills are essential, it is therefore crucial to attend workshops to upgrade yourself and sharpen your skills. Where technologies now rule the world, get updated on how to utilise technological tools. Choose two skills that you can advance on each year and be diligent in monitoring and tracking your progress. Do not confine your development just to your current job scope; stay relevant with broad-based knowledge which will make you more versatile and adaptable to the changing landscape of the corporate world.

Have a Global Mindset

Globalisation is rampant among companies in many industries. To thrive in the international marketplace, it is becoming a necessity to learn to work in diverse cultures. If you are set on working for a European MNC for instance, acquiring competency in a foreign language will be an added advantage. For the more adventurous, you might go a step further to request for overseas work assignments in order to gain greater exposure. As you gain more experiences working in the global arena, you will become more confident. Including the international experiences on resumes would definitely be a plus point to employers.

Build a Strong Professional Network

As the saying goes: what you know is important, who you know is even more important. The relationships you have built within and outside of your organisation are always assets to treasure. With changing employment landscapes, these relationships can help you weather the changes and provide new opportunities. Additionally, having a career mentor is beneficial when it comes to guidance and advice. It is good to keep building strong networks by staying closely connected and regularly attending relevant and professional networking sessions.

Know Your Environment

Keep abreast of the changes and trends in your field of profession and industry and choose to work for employers that operate a stable and sustainable business. Experts advise that you should conduct a PEST (Political, Economic, Socio-Cultural and Technological) analysis of your industry and understand the bigger external forces of change that you could be exposed to and how you may take advantage of the opportunities they present.

Be Resilient

We are living in volatile times and in an uncertain future, you will encounter setbacks no matter how hard you prepare and plan your career. It is necessary to strengthen your mind and cultivate your will to have the ability to bounce back quickly and consider these setbacks as growth experiences. Moving from your familiar areas and comfort zones is never easy. However, it will become more necessary as we maneuver in a fast-changing global economic landscape.

To survive the seasons, it is highly necessary to be resilient by being versatile, adaptable and setting realistic goals as you transit and venture into new pursuits.