As you can imagine, I’m coaching a lot of clients through fear and uncertainty these days.
We’ve all seen the headlines about mass layoffs, a white-collar recession, and AI replacing us. Professionals are posting on LinkedIn, desperately seeking a job. Breadwinners are going from six-figure incomes to surviving on gig work. I’m volunteering for an organization helping displaced government workers. People are hurting and scared.
My best advice? Focus on staying relevant.
You can’t control what’s happening, but there are still things you can do.
We’ve been through scary times before. Machines were taking jobs a century ago. And plenty of fifty-something down-on-their-luck MBAs were waiting tables and stocking grocery shelves in 2009. But the world kept turning for those who could position themselves for the next opportunity.
The difference today is that things are shifting at a faster pace. It used to take decades for your knowledge and skills to become obsolete; now, change is constant. According to recent studies, 50% of today’s job activities could be automated within the next decade.
No matter your current job status, relevance must become a priority. This will take a commitment to lifelong learning, embracing technology, and nurturing your network.
Whether you’re out of a job now or concerned about what’s to come, it’s time to jump into action and position yourself as a valuable asset to the workforce for now and the days ahead. Here’s what I recommend:
1. Conduct a personal skills audit: What are your strengths and weaknesses? What do you need to work on?
2. Create a timeline for acquiring needed skills: Retraining might require another degree, taking online courses, getting mentorship, or self-directed learning using free resources online.
3. Build your visibility: Position yourself as an expert in your industry. Get out there and network, speak at conferences, publish articles online, and keep yourself in front of the right people.
4. Cultivate strategic relationships: Connect with forward-thinking professionals, engage with leaders in your field online, and know where you and your capabilities fit into the mix.
Career relevance is ultimately in your hands. It’s based on the small actions you consistently take and the efforts you make to stay up-to-date.
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