With so many technological, scientific and social advancements in recent years, the world of work has changed dramatically. Traditional life-long careers that were a sure thing fifty years ago are either irrelevant or obsolete in today’s world. The world is constantly changing and it’s not likely to stop any time soon.

So to make sure that you and your job stay relevant throughout your working years, here are five things you can do to future-proof your career.

1) Choose your company carefully

A generation or two ago, it was common to stay with the same company throughout your career. These days, employees are far more savvy and willing to move from company to company in order to feel satisfied in their jobs. So in order to keep their staff, companies now need to spend more time and effort on up-skilling and developing their employees in order to keep them.

This is great news for those who want to keep evolving throughout their career. If you want to stay relevant in the workforce, choose a company that really invests in their staff. Whether it’s with structured skill development or a policy that allows employees to move around within the company, look for someone who cares about the future of their staff.

2) Embrace technology

Just because you don’t like it or understand it, doesn’t mean it’s going away any time soon. This applies to several areas in modern technology such as social media, cloud computing and artificial intelligence. If you already work for a company that is constantly up-skilling their staff, that’s great. But if not, don’t sit around waiting for someone to inform you about these technological advancements. Whether it’s by taking Cloud Computing courses online or signing up to a digital marketing newsletter, equip yourself with the information you need to function in the future workforce.

3) Never stop networking

Networking doesn’t have to mean constantly pestering people so that they will give you information, business or a job. Networking simply means keeping in touch with people in case they may be able to help you (or you may be able to help them) in the future. Whether it’s networking within your own company, at industry events or via social networks like linked-in, it’s important to stay active and keep networking.

You don’t have to be excessive about it or even pushy, but keep an open mind about everyone and everything and keep in touch. You never know how connections could come in handy now or in the future.

4) Consider the environment

Climate change is the biggest challenge we’ve faced in generations (or ever). And whilst some huge corporations and governments prefer to bury their heads in the sand, the reality is that we have to find ways to be environmentally friendly and reduce our carbon footprints.

Whether it’s with structured skill development or a policy that allows employees to move around within the company, look for someone who cares about the future of their staff. If you’re looking for an IT-related work, you may find a tech job in San Francisco, specifically in Silicon Valley, where the top tech companies like Google and Apple have been established. These companies have also been known for great employee perks and benefits that’s why many job seekers aim to be part of their team. 

Being able to offer something in this field is likely to open many career doors in the future. So if you have even the slightest interest in the environment, arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible in this field. Whether it’s getting extra qualifications or simply staying up to date with relevant scientific and technological advancements, being green is likely to get progressively more important in the near and distant future.

5) Think big

Thanks to the internet, the world is a far more accessible place. So when it comes to future-proofing your career, don’t let geography get in your way. Think big. Think global.

Reach out to people who are doing your job in different countries via Linked-In and keep each other up to date on new industry practices. Don’t limit yourself to working in one country, think about the bigger picture and provide yourself with as many potential career avenues as possible.

Conclusion

Future-proofing your job doesn’t necessarily mean having to completely change your career or start again. With a little bit of forward planning, proactive action and an open mind, you can keep up with technological advancements and arm yourself with the knowledge and connections you need to survive whatever the future holds.