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Despite all the good that contemporary innovations have brought about, they are also shredding the concept of job security in a great many industries. Artificial Intelligence, automation, the cloud, the Internet of Things (IoT) and super-smart devices are putting a question mark on the future of almost innumerable careers. Would you like to escape the coming deluge of innovation-induced job losses? Here are a few steps you can take to do just that:
Embrace Change
The first thing you need to do is accept that change is inevitable. It’s a mindset shift that’s sometimes hard to make, but necessary nonetheless. Unless you are willing to learn, unlearn and relearn, you will struggle to survive in the brave new world of rapid evolution. Develop flexibility in your outlook and approach to work. It’ll do you a whole world of good in the long run.Get Comfortable with New Technology
A hallmark of the age of disruption is the frequency with which new technology gets churned out. There’s so much happening that it’s sometimes hard to keep up. But keeping up is exactly what you have to do to thrive in tomorrow’s world of work. You need to feel at home with new technology, especially if it’s useful in your industry or company. Even if you previously weren’t keen on tech, a change in mindset (as we recommended in the first step) can help you quickly take to new tools.Develop Soft Skills
Learning technical skills is great if you want to future-proof your career. But you have to pick up soft skills too—leadership, communication, emotional empathy, teamwork, and time management, among others. These abilities will make you stand out in a world where many technical roles have been filled by automated systems.Sign up for the Connect Nigeria daily newsletter
Aim to Be Globally Competitive
Look beyond what’s going on in your business or even your industry locally. What new developments elsewhere in the world could eventually arrive on your shores? What tools, skills, and approaches to work are becoming the norms internationally? And what does it take to be world-class in your role? These are questions you must answer and act upon. These days, truly ambitious career people have to compete against global talent. This trend will likely accelerate in the future, so you’ll want to prepare yourself for that.Build Your Network
Your professional relationships could prove crucial to your having a successful career. This was true in the past; it’s just as true today and will remain the case going into the future. So, make sure to continually expand your professional network. Your contacts may connect you with opportunities you otherwise would never have been able to access. They could also give you advice that’ll help you progress up your career ladder more swiftly.Keep Tabs on Trends in Your Industry
Unless you know what’s going on in your industry, you may fail to spot the unfolding of changes that could impact your career. Stay on top of developments in your domain; if you note a significant trend, you’ll probably have time to decide whether or not it’ll affect you, and think about how to respond.Register to attend the CN Business Mixer
Final Words
The world is changing right before us. Things which were once considered conventional in business have become disposable—if they are not already being discarded. These changes threaten millions of jobs and render whole career paths irrelevant. If you’re going to survive this situation, you need to know how to future-proof your career. To do that, you can follow the steps discussed in this article.Got a suggestion? Contact us: editor@connectnigeria.com