GlobalBX

The changes shaping your career for the next few years are already in motion. Peek into my crystal ball for the top career trends that may soon affect your job. Take note, and get prepared! 

1. Specialization is key – As more and more companies look for specialized help, experts will be in high demand and will earn higher paychecks. From a practical standpoint, it’s simply not possible to excel in an entire discipline anymore. For example, yesterday’s human resources professional might become today’s workforce planning expert, compensation specialist, labor relations expert, facilitator, trainer, leadership coach, or employee specialist. Specialized degrees or certifications will play a key role. Without these, you may struggle to find the right job for you. 
2. In search of meaning – More people are choosing to define their career in their own terms. In other words, they are establishing their personal career identity. They want to feel good about themselves and express who they are, whether they’re at work, the gym, or home. These people have tuned into their values and belief systems and look for work that speaks to them at an emotional, physical, and intellectual level. They define their job as one component of their life – a component that is synergistic with their life plan. 
3. Computer literacy is necessary – There is no room for the computer illiterate. Computers have found their way into every part of the corporate world, including the production line. Developing and nurturing your computer know-how is essential for any career you choose. 
4. Being skilled in the trades is a goldmine – There is a growing demand for people skilled in traditional trades. Auto mechanics, carpenters, construction contractors, electricians, hair stylists, plumbers, and welders are guaranteed to find great jobs at great wages. If you’re interested in pursuing a trade, be sure to choose one that fits your natural skills and abilities. 
5. Conceptual work continues to be in demand – The first wave of automation changed or eliminated jobs involving highly repetitive tasks, leading to “off shoring” and fewer traditional unskilled jobs available “onshore.” To find available work, choose a career that requires face-to-face interaction, creativity, needs to be completed quickly, or requires levels of complexity that simply can’t be sent out of the country.
6. Soft skills are becoming a premium – Regardless of your career goal, organizations are looking for performers who have “emotional intelligence.” These companies actively recruit workers with strong communication, leadership, and relationship skills. Companies want workers who can connect with people from diverse generations and cultures. If you fine-tune your high-touch skills, you will have a strong career advantage. 
7. Working from home has its rewards – Technology has granted flexibility and more for telecommuters. Workers are trading in commuting time for productive work time and family time. This has led to millions of home-based offices and businesses. A bonus: Telecommuters and home-based entrepreneurs have created a demand for home construction, renovation, and home-based computer support services.
8. Be the CEO of your own career – You can no longer count on a certain skill set to be successful in your chosen career. There are no longer clear-cut paths that define the road to success or to the corner office. Companies will no longer guarantee your job or help you step up the career ladder. So it’s a good idea to start thinking in terms of being the CEO of your own career. Build a portfolio of your experience and expertise, keep your resume up to date, network with colleagues in other companies, and be alert if opportunity knocks. 
9. Develop your own brand – To distinguish yourself in the marketplace, you must turn your attention inward and discover fresh, creative ways to articulate your differentiating factor. How do you determine your professional brand? Think in terms of your values, strengths, skills, experience, and inherent talents. And think about what you wear, the pen you use, or the briefcase you carry. Everyone is unique. It’s a matter of knowing how to define and communicate the unique qualities that you bring to your current job – and that will benefit your future employer. 
10. End of career retirement – Companies have ended mandatory retirement and many people choose to continue to work past typical retirement age for a variety of reasons: they find work enjoyable and fulfilling, appreciate the social aspects, or have a financial need. So stop thinking about what kind of work you will do until you retire, and start thinking about what kind of work energizes you – work you may continue to do into your “retirement” years. Look for this sweet spot and capitalize on it. Start building a future where you earn more than a paycheck; you build a career that fills your bankbook and feeds your soul.