HOW TO FUTURE-PROOF YOUR CAREER

How to increase your chances of job security in the ever-changing workplace

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Unemployment has plagued South Africa for years and continues to worsen (our unemployment rate during the second quarter of 2022 was 33.9%). Looking at this statistic, coupled with the aftermath of the pandemic, it’s difficult to feel completely secure in your job knowing that anything could happen in the foreseeable future. However, there are a few ways to make sure you stay at the top of your career game:

KEEP LEARNING & UPSKILL
Education doesn’t end after graduation. There is no expiry date on learning either. The saying that children learn better and faster than adults because their brains are still developing, doesn’t mean you’re incapable of learning new skills in adulthood. With an abundance of free online courses, learning doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg.

Online learning has many advantages such as being able to learn comfortably from any place, completing it at any time that suits you, and it’s cheaper than traditional classroom training. The world is ever- changing and we’re always adapting. This is why we have to adopt the mindset that we are students for life.

TOP FREE ONLINE COURSE WEBSITES:
• Coursera
• edX
• Khan Academy • Udemy
• Skill share

SHOW YOUR VALUE
Businesses want employees who are serious about their work and are reliable. You have to show them that you’re vital to the company’s success. This can be achieved by completing projects timeously (or maybe even earlier), helping other employees complete their tasks, motivating junior colleagues and being a dedicated supporter of the company’s mission.

If they’re looking to downsize the company, or perhaps need to retrench workers, they’ll retain and maintain their most valued teammates.

PUT YOUR NAME ON THE MAP
When unfortunate times of retrenchment happen, it’s best to use as many methods of finding a job as possible. Relying solely on word of mouth doesn’t guarantee that you’ll find a job. Try sharing your qualifications and skills with businesses and recruitment officers. This will help you get discovered by those looking to fill their company’s positions. You can do this online through job websites or apps such as LinkedIn.

You can also set alerts for positions that you’re interested in, so you receive notifications when a new one has been posted. This means you’re less likely to miss out on opportunities even if you aren’t constantly scrolling through websites and apps.

EXHIBIT FLEXIBILITY
Over the past three years, many companies have adopted the hybrid work model – the combination of working in-office and from home. The Cisco Global Hybrid Work Study 2022 found that almost 95% of South Africans want either a hybrid or fully remote working model. They also found that 87% of companies are supportive of this. Those who had done hybrid or fully remote work also found that their wellbeing had improved.

Since many companies have adopted this model, be prepared to adapt. Approach a co-worker for advice if you struggle with work-life balance. Remote work requires good communication, too, so technology is essential for seamless communications.

The same study found that 85% of respondents believed networking infrastructure is vital and that 70% of the companies had the required infrastructure. Familiarise yourself with these and become a pro at communicating.

HAVE A SIDE HUSTLE
If you’ve tried all of the above, but still feel uncertain about job security, perhaps find additional work to do in your spare time. It doesn’t have to be demanding – it could be a passion project. This can be done using video platforms like Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Artwork can be sold through social media, websites or apps that have a marketplace.

JOB SEARCH WEBSITES:
• LinkedIn
• Indeed
• Google Jobs • Careers24
• Bizcommunity

TEXT: SAHRAH ENOUS