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