| When it comes to modern career development, one | | | | you can fill a need in the world that is not being filled. |
| thing we can all count on is change. With the advent | | | | - Opportunity to present yourself as an independent |
| of technology, telecommuting, and E-commerce, how | | | | contractor or vendor with services to offer. |
| work is performed is in a state of reinvention. | | | | How can you successfully navigate through the |
| Self-employment and small business development will | | | | turbulent times of change and career uncertainty? By |
| become more the norm than big business. And career | | | | developing resiliency, exercising proactivity, creating |
| changes will be more frequent due to rapidly changing | | | | excellent self-marketing tools, keeping your skills |
| organizations and industries. Finally, the line between | | | | up-to-date, and finding your unique life balance. |
| one's personal and professional life will become even | | | | 1. Develop resiliency (the ability to bounce back). |
| more blurred. Since the modern world of work is | | | | Having the right attitude about career change is |
| rapidly changing to keep up with the demands of our | | | | imperative to your ability to bounce back from |
| fast-paced lives and lifestyles, here are some | | | | setbacks, sudden changes, and twists and turns along |
| characteristics of what the new work contract will | | | | your career path. You will experience a lot of career |
| look like: | | | | change and transitions, so you may as well get |
| - Seeking more meaning from work. | | | | comfortable feeling uncomfortable. |
| - Equating "career success" with personal satisfaction | | | | 2. Take a proactive approach to your career |
| over paycheck or status. | | | | development |
| - Everyone will need their own "name-brand." | | | | You must constantly be on the lookout for new |
| - Increased use of technology. | | | | ways to apply your gifts and talents in the new |
| - Finding work that needs doing. | | | | economy. This requires thinking creatively, actively |
| - Changing in the way management and leadership is | | | | promoting yourself/business, and being actively |
| conducted (less arrogance at the top level, more | | | | involved in how your career progresses. Staying |
| power on lower levels). | | | | involved in professional associations, and continuous |
| - Increased need for networking and self-marketing. | | | | networking are excellent ways to connect with other |
| - Lifelong "trying on" of various roles, jobs, and | | | | like-minded professionals. |
| industries. | | | | 3. Create first-rate marketing materials |
| - Creating a plan that is flexible, and continually | | | | Always keep your resume current. You never know |
| assessing the "fit" of the work. | | | | when you are going to want to share it with |
| - Increased representation of women and minorities | | | | someone or pass it along. If you are in business for |
| in the workforce. | | | | yourself, develop classy business cards and |
| - Changing career fields numerous times in a lifetime. | | | | letterhead. Harness the power of the internet by |
| - Self-responsibility: Everyone knowing they have to | | | | developing an interactive website. |
| chart their own career direction. However, the 21st | | | | 4. Commit to lifelong learning |
| century career also offers many advantages: | | | | To keep earning, keep learning. Do not wait until you |
| - More career opportunities for everyone. | | | | lose your job or want to look for another position to |
| - Freedom to choose from a variety of jobs, tasks, | | | | gain new skills or training. Recognize the need to be |
| and assignments. | | | | open to learning and attend classes related to your |
| - More flexibility in how and where work is | | | | area of expertise to keep your skills sharp and |
| performed, i.e. working from home or telecommuting. | | | | marketable. Keep in mind the top skills needed for |
| - More control over your own time. | | | | career success include:Communication, |
| - Greater opportunity to express yourself through | | | | Computer-knowledge, Creativity, Customer Care |
| your work. | | | | 5. Find your unique life balance |
| - Ability to shape and reshape your life's work in | | | | There are four dimensions to life: love, labor, leisure, |
| accordance with your values and interests. | | | | learning. Remember that work is just one aspect of |
| - Increased opportunity to develop other skills by | | | | your life pie. Be sure to indulge in all of your areas. |
| working in various industries and environments. | | | | Because having an overall balanced life is what leads |
| - Self-empowerment mindset. | | | | to the most fulfillment. |
| - Allows you to create situations or positions where | | | | |