Your skills and knowledge are always in demand, but your current job isn’t. The only thing that’s certain about our rapidly changing world is that the careers we have today will not be the same ones we have tomorrow. So how do you future-proof your job by thinking like a futurist? By recognizing the emerging trends in your industry and positioning yourself to adapt, you can ensure your relevance as technology changes and new industries emerge while still doing what you love today. Here’s how to future-proof your job by thinking like a futurist.
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If you don’t expect the unexpected
It is often said that the only thing constant in life is change, and this is certainly true for jobs. In today’s world, it can feel like your career could disappear at any moment, so it pays to be prepared. This is where futurism comes in.
If you want to future-proof your job, start by thinking about what you do and how the world might change in the next five years or so. It’s also worth looking at changes that might happen even further down the line – if something becomes possible with technologies we don’t have yet (such as artificial intelligence), how will that affect your work? What skills would you need then? And which ones would become obsolete?
If you’re a company leader or entrepreneur, how are things likely to change in the next few years? Think of the most important changes that are coming up for your industry, and plan. Make sure everyone on staff knows about these developments so they can get training now rather than later. Be open to new ways of doing things: Some trends, such as automation, threaten some occupations but open up new opportunities too.
Start building up your brand
A personal brand is the one thing that can’t be taken away from you, even when you lose your job. This means it’s more important than ever to create and maintain an online persona that will make you stand out in the future. Here are some of the best ways to do so:
Think about what values you want to be associated with your name. Invest time in creating content for other platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram. Keep up with trends on Twitter and YouTube. Don’t forget about building relationships with influencers outside of work either. Join groups on Facebook or other social media platforms where they share information related to your industry or areas of interest. Build up knowledge by reading industry blogs, books, or articles that relate to what interests you most.
Develop relationships with influencers
Think about the people who are in your field and how you can connect with them. Make sure these people know what you do because they might be able to help or refer someone who needs your services. Think of local organizations or conferences where you can meet people in your field. Identify the influencers and get to know them personally so that they know who you are and what you do. You’ll also want to keep tabs on the latest trends in your industry. When an opportunity comes up, such as a position opening up at work, make sure you apply for it and make it known that you have experience relevant to this position.
Join workshops and conferences
Joining workshops and conferences are important ways you can gain knowledge about the future and what is happening in the world. These events often have great speakers who talk about their experience in the field or provide an inside look into cutting-edge technologies that could shape our future. Plus, networking with other people who are also interested in this topic can provide you with vital information and insights that you may not know otherwise.
With these resources at your disposal, you will be able to make more informed decisions about how career your career path evolves. You’ll be ready for change before it comes knocking on your door, which means that you’ll always have a job no matter what economic downturns occur. And if any advancements occur along the way, it’s possible that you could use them as an opportunity to update your skillset and improve upon what you’re already good at doing.
Be willing to change career paths
It might be time for you to think about how your career path will look in the future. For example, if you work in the fashion industry, how will 3D printing affect your job? If you’re in finance, what will happen when big data becomes an even more powerful tool for investors? If you want to stay ahead of the curve, be willing to change career paths and explore new opportunities.
You may need to make some sacrifices now so that you can build up skills and experience in different areas. The same may not apply 10 or 20 years from now – this is just my opinion. In all seriousness, thinking like a futurist means exploring new ways to use technology. It means adapting yourself to innovation. And it’s never too early to start making changes. Think about what could happen next year, five years from now, ten years from now, and start preparing for those potential changes today.