9 Powerful Strategies to Stay Relevant and Unstoppable in Today's Job Market
Are you prepared for the ever-changing job market? The key to staying ahead of the curve is staying relevant in your career. With 25 years of HR experience, I've witnessed countless professionals losing their edge due to complacency. In today's competitive job market, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, staying relevant and progressing in your career is an ongoing battle. Don't let yourself be left behind; this article provides essential strategies to help you stand out and thrive in your chosen field.
Unfortunately, existing employees are not doing anything to be relevant and are becoming yesterday's news as every Company is looking at becoming more and more productive. The mindset of chilling and not worrying about losing my job may have worked a couple of years back, but that won't fly anymore. The Tech Industry is a good example, and it hasn't taken long to see the news of multiple technology companies downsizing their staff and hiring in other departments.
IBM is an excellent example of a company that has made such strategic changes. In addition, those employees who are not improving their skills are also risking their jobs to artificial intelligence. AI tools like CHATGPT and others show us what the future could look like. They may not affect jobs now, but it's just a matter of time.
Many in multiple Industries say these tools are not catastrophic to existing jobs, but most people have not considered Moore's Law. Moore's law comes from Gordon Moore, the co-founder of Fairchild Semiconductor and Intel, who states that technological change doubles every two years. We have seen this in every industry, from mobile phones to computers to machinery. If this is true, can you imagine the power of ChatGPT in the next 5 – 6 years?
If that is not scary, I don't know what is! So being relevant in your job has become more critical than ever.
The most effective way to maintain relevance in your job is through continuous learning and skill development.
How can you do that?
Here are nine (9) sure shot ways for continuous learning and skill development while in a Job
1. Your Employer: Your employer is interested in keeping you relevant. You need to consider that you are still an asset to the Company. Hiring a new person is not cheap from a Monetary or Time perspective. If they hire someone to replace you means, that whoever takes your place has to learn how things work in the Organization along with the systems, they also need to get used to the hierarchy and leadership and much more. It would take them time to adjust. Not only that, the hiring process is costly. Having to place advertisements for the position, onboarding cost, and time of the recruiters and managers is a nightmare for the Organization. If the Organization can get by from having to do all that and make do with what they have, they would choose you in a heartbeat! Thus you have the upper hand in the short run. In your case, all you lack is the skillsets, which can be taught through training, mentoring, or other resources to keep you up-to-date with the latest trends in your industry. If this is not happening, it's time to speak to your manager or your second-level manager. Your Human Resources department or your learning department can also help.
2. Career Coaches: A massive misconception exists that Career Coaches are only helpful when seeking employment. This is further than the truth. People already in jobs typically hire most career coaches, seeking to develop new skills and strategies for their career advancement. In Fact, many companies offer career coaching as a perk to their employees, as they recognize the value of investing in their workforce's professional development. However, employees take on this cost in those companies that do not provide this perk. It is a cost well spent as the trajectory in your job will be huge after using a Career Coach.
Career coaches will help identify the skills and knowledge you need to stay relevant in your job. They can help you create a career development plan, provide guidance and support, and help you navigate the challenges of staying relevant in your Organization. Please do not take the expertise they can bring to the table for granted.
3. Industry Associations: Industry associations offer a wealth of resources for professionals in their field. They often provide training, networking opportunities, and access to industry events and conferences. These are great places to share good practices and out-of-the-box thinking.
4. Online Learning Platforms: Online learning platforms such as Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning offer various courses and certifications to help you stay relevant in your job. These platforms are often affordable and allow you to learn quickly, and YouTube is also a great free resource for learning. It is one of the best places to learn new skills and also ways to improve existing ones. Keeping abreast of the latest industry trends and technological advancements can help you stay ahead of your competition.
5. Colleagues: Your colleagues can be an excellent resource for staying relevant in your job. They may have skills or knowledge you can learn from, or they may be able to introduce you to new industry trends and best practices. Over time I have learnt a lot from my ex-bosses, especially when I started my career.
6. Senior Mentors: Senior mentors can be role models and can play a significant role in helping you become more relevant in your job. First, they are the perfect role model to demonstrate the qualities and behaviors needed to succeed in your field. There is a saying in the Personal Development Industry, find success and emulate it. So finding the right Mentors to copy will get you the same results. Whether it is adapting their communication techniques or how they manage their time, you can become great at what you do just by doing this and adapting their leadership skills.
They can also recommend the proper training and workshops to climb fast. Their gifts include industry knowledge, trends, changes, and best practices.
They can also be a source of the right connections. They will know key players in your industry, which can help you build a solid professional network that could lead to better opportunities and collaborations.
In addition, mentors can help you set realistic career goals and create a roadmap to achieve them. They can also guide you in making informed decisions about your career trajectory.
They can provide constructive feedback on your performance, helping you identify areas for improvement and growth.
Most importantly, they will offer you emotional support and encouragement and help boost your confidence in your abilities, allowing you to take on new challenges and grow in your role.
7. Books, Publications and RSS Feeds: Reading books, publications, and RSS feeds can help you stay relevant in your job by keeping you informed, providing opportunities for skill development and networking, and promoting personal growth and continuous learning. Making it a habit to read regularly and engage with these resources give you a competitive edge in the workplace. Below are some ways these resources can help you:
a. Keeping up-to-date: Reading books, articles, and industry-specific publications will inform you about the latest developments, trends, and innovations in your field. This knowledge can help you make better decisions and adapt to changes in your industry. You may even be able to surprise your bosses with your newfound knowledge.
b. Skill development: Books and publications often provide in-depth information on various subjects and techniques, which can help you learn new skills or enhance your existing ones. These resources can expose you to new tools and technologies to improve your job performance.
c. Thought leadership: When you follow reputable authors, experts, and influencers in your field, you gain insights into their perspectives, opinions, and thought processes. These insights can aid you in developing your own thought leadership and actively contribute to discussions and debates within your industry.
d. Networking opportunities: Engaging with authors, experts, and peers through social media or industry events can help you expand your professional network. These connections may lead to new opportunities, collaborations, or job offers.
e. Inspiration and motivation: Reading about the success stories and experiences of others in your field can inspire and motivate. It can encourage you to set higher goals, overcome obstacles, and strive for excellence in your job.
f. Problem-solving: Books and publications can solve common problems or challenges in your field. By learning from the experiences of others, you can develop effective strategies to tackle similar issues in your job.
g. Best practices: Industry-specific publications often share best practices and case studies to help you understand what works and what doesn't in your field. Adopting these proven strategies can help you optimize your job performance and achieve better results.
h. Staying informed: By subscribing to multiple sources of information like blogs, news websites, and online journals through RSS feeds, you can efficiently keep up with the latest industry news, trends, and research without visiting each site individually. Enhancing your experience by utilizing a reliable RSS feed reader such as Feedly, InoReader, Reader from Readwise, Old Reader, Feedbin, or Feeder is a good way forward.
i. Continuous learning: Actively engaging with books, publications, and RSS feeds cultivates a habit of constant learning, which is crucial for maintaining relevance in the rapidly evolving and fast-paced work environment of today.
8. Networking: Networking is also essential to remain relevant in your job. Establishing relationships with colleagues, industry peers, and even mentors can help you stay informed about new opportunities, gain valuable insights into your field, and potentially open doors for career advancement.
9. Taking on New Projects: Another approach to staying relevant in your job is to take on new challenges and responsibilities. It helps develop new skills and demonstrates your motivation and commitment to your employer. Proactively seek new organizational opportunities, such as leading projects or volunteering for special assignments.
Most people I see, instead, hide behind their computers and would rather pass the buck onto other colleagues. This strategy may have worked a couple of years ago, but this behaviour will do nothing but ruin your reputation as someone who finds excuses instead of doing work.
In conclusion, staying relevant in today's competitive job market is critical to ensuring career success and longevity. By taking the initiative to continuously learn, develop new skills, and adapt to industry changes, you'll maintain your relevance and position yourself as an invaluable asset to your employer.
Don't be complacent; embrace the opportunities for growth and advancement that come your way. Remember, your future depends on it.
So, what are you waiting for? Begin your journey towards a successful and thriving career by implementing the strategies outlined in this article. Stay relevant, stay informed, and stay ahead of the curve. The time to act is now. Let's make every moment count and build a brighter, more secure future together.
If you're struggling to stay competitive in your job despite your best efforts, follow me on my social media platforms for continuous help in Career Growth. I am a Certified Career Coach with over 25 years of HR experience in the high Tech Industry.
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