The workplace world is constantly changing, especially with the global digital transformation. Knowing how to future-proof your career is more important than ever as more jobs continue to become extinct due to their replacement with technology. Today, employers have higher expectations from their employees than they did in the past. When your employer is experiencing a problem, you want to be the one with the solution. Apart from delivering outstanding work, the other half of remaining relevant in your workplace is visibility. Whether you’re a fresh graduate or have been in the workplace for long, there’s fierce competition, but here’s how you can remain relevant.
Create a professional network
Work can keep you busy, but don’t let that hinder you from forming professional relationships in and out of the workplace. The more you know and establish professional relationships with people, the more you remain relevant. Expand your network by meeting the right people during events like fundraisers, banquets, trade shows, community service activities, or open houses, and form friendships. Through your network, you can be regarded as the reliable person to call, maybe not because you’re the best, but because you’re well-known in your field.
Brand yourself
Branding up helps you market yourself effectively. You must understand and communicate who you are and how you add value to an organization. Branding yourself is especially vital for individuals who work in marketing, sales, and public relations. The clients you interact with, whether individuals or organizations, need to value the strengths and skillsets you bring to the table. Once you’re clear on what you can offer and the problems you can solve, begin building your brand.
Be technologically evolved
The world is fast becoming a digital hub due to technological innovations, advancements, and internet connectivity. With more business being conducted online, being technologically evolved is essential to making yourself irreplaceable in today’s job market. When there’s a new technology, you must quickly learn how to navigate it and adapt to avoid falling behind the competition.
Advance your skills
With the workplace constantly changing, you must keep up by advancing your skills to suit the current needs. When you up your skills, you can stay ahead of the curb. Identify the weak areas that make you vulnerable in the workplace and establish ways to educate yourself and gain experience.
Attend seminars, training, and workshops offered by your organization, campus, or volunteer during your free time. If you have a Bachelor’s degree, you can advance by taking on a masters in cyber security online as you continue working. This way, you can climb the career ladder.
Familiarize with industry trends
To remain relevant in the workplace, you must know what goes on in your industry and when it happens. Look into the needs you should fulfill to avoid lagging and leaving gaps that put the competition ahead of your organization. Thanks to search engines and the web, it is easier than ever to acquire information regarding your industry. There are many blogs and articles from credible sites which you can take advantage of to keep up with the latest news and fulfill needs using your skills.
Be a great communicator
In every organization, communication will always be imperative. Currently, the workplace is more globalized, with the workforce being distributed across different countries. With the online connectivity and ability to travel, you can work almost anywhere for any organization. As you may have to work with people from different cultural backgrounds, it is essential to understand the sensitivity that comes with it. Ensure you can communicate professionally, express yourself clearly, and respect authorities and hierarchies in the organization. You can learn how to be a better communicator by taking short courses or reading books.
Challenge yourself
Challenging yourself forces you to grow as an individual and professionally. In every workplace, employers are always searching for outgoing individuals who can take on challenging work. Being among them can help you to remain relevant. Challenge yourself by participating in projects or taking on assignments that require travel, even when traveling alone to new places. However, this doesn’t mean that you should abandon your work or overwhelm yourself. When you have time, you can volunteer and lend your skills to benefit other groups working on different projects.
Be a leader
In every workplace, leadership is essential. Being one means taking on more responsibility and acquiring visibility. However, leadership is a skill you need to cultivate. You can do so by being quick to spot areas where you can contribute or help. When you’re a leader, other people look up to you for guidance; develop creativity, innovation, thinking, and problem-solving skills. One way you can build leadership skills is through challenging yourself and working with various people in different groups.
Stay social
Social media has significantly impacted the business world. The majority of the population that is online is on various social media platforms. Social media is not for a particular generation; whether you’re a millennial, middle-aged, or in your sixties, being on relevant social networks, such as LinkedIn, Whatsapp, Facebook, and Twitter, can keep you relevant with the workplace. However, being present isn’t enough; use these platforms to engage with existing and potential clients, engage with them, and ensure your professionalism is visible on these platforms.
Focus on success
The success of your workplace should always come first. When you’re given a position at a company, use your skills to propel it to success. Your employment highly depends on your company’s success. If your skills and efforts are recognized and make your company more profitable, you’re likely to be an asset and end up achieving job security. Although you won’t earn a promotion or a higher salary immediately, build a reputation of being a problem solver and doer.The job market is ever-changing, and remaining relevant in your workplace is vital to attaining job security. Amid a recession, the competition is fierce than ever; one wrong move could render you jobless. Become irreplaceable by creating a professional network, focusing on success, becoming a leader, challenging yourself, and staying social. Improve productivity by advancing your skills and staying up to date with industry trends.
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