Recently, the way we think about the concept of ‘work’ has shifted. With lifestyle choices playing an ever-greater role in ever-busier lives, there is more focus on finding work that satisfies and rewards, rather than just the salary bracket it brings.
Do interesting things
More people are wanting to do interesting and challenging things, sometimes even fun things and are willing to sacrifice the high pay cheque to do this. There is more balance between work, home and money. The 3 key ideas here are Interesting, Challenging and Enough. Focus has shifted to lifestyle, flexibility, free time to pursue other learning or hobbies or sports.
Another shift will be Social going Mobile – when recruiting more of it will happen on mobile devices. The explosion of Android and iPhone apps means fewer potential candidates will be using traditional computers. The use of contractors, part-time employees and consultants will continue to expand as it provides the employers with the flexibility they seek to manage costs and headcount easily plus employees find these arrangements suit their lifestyle and interests well. All in all this should be a year of modest employment growth and, even more growth in outsourcing volume recruiting and hard-to-fill positions to recruiters.
As world populations age and the job market becomes more diversified, there will be an upturn in skilled and semi skilled jobs available in the future. The U.S. Labour Department says that 68% of the fastest growing occupations from 2004 to 2014 will be related to health care. This does not mean doctors and surgeons, but more assistants and aides to the profession.
Computers, health care, science and technology will open up different jobs and markets as the baby boomers retire, leaving gaps in the current market and also requiring specialist need for the aging population.
Information collation
The biggest asset in the future will be the ability to handle information, and lots of it. The exponential growth of connected devices will mean a huge demand for people who can collate this information and make sense of it. In other words information gathering and distribution in a format which makes sense to normal people will be the hot topic. When your toaster is wired to the internet, who will help you navigate the myriad controls needed to operate your house, let alone compete in a saturated market space?
In the future, expect to change careers often and expect to learn for your entire life. Gone are the days when a degree in something means you will be able to do the job in 10 years’ time. The future is about innovation and adaptability, something humans are not very good at in general. It is going to require a massive shift in focus and the ability to multitask on levels most people will have difficulty with. Change and change management will also be key players in the new economy.
Nanotechnology will change everything, from the way cars are painted to the way surgery is done – or not done, depending on the micro-sized robots engineers are able to put into our bodies.
Turbulent times for business ahead
Healthcare and international business will be at the forefront of big pay cheques. Aging populations and the virtual decline of international borders will mean those that can think and act in many environments, international law, international tax and relations will make exciting and challenging times.
Get ready to live globally
The other area where jobs will increase are in areas which can’t (yet) be automated. Taxi drivers, truck drivers, mechanics, teachers, and service industries are not glamorous, but they do represent a large market sector where no one wants to work.
In the new economy, those that can use their minds and are able to bridge cultural and other kinds of divides, will succeed.
