Future-proofing your career Research the labour market
'Future-proofing' in a career planning context, means preparing for future changes to ensure you stay employable. It’s not just about keeping up to date with the labour market, new technologies and skills; future-proofing is about creating a strong foundation that can withstand any changes the future might bring
The best way to future-proof your career is to be broadly flexible and ready for anything. You can do this by focussing on:
Transferrable skills
Developing a strong foundation of employability skills that can be applied across various roles and industries will help you pivot and thrive as job requirements change.
Resilience
Being resilient means Successfully dealing with career challenges and adapting to change. Cultivate a growth mindset that embraces challenges as opportunities for growth and innovation. OU students can access this GradConsult video on growth mindsets and resilience.
Continuous learning
Continuous learning through further study and personal development is a skill in itself. New experiences and qualifications will also make you a more competitive candidate. Graduates are making up a higher proportion of the workforce, so extra learning can help you stand out. Use labour market information to understand what kinds of things would be most valuable for you to learn and do.
Seizing opportunities
The course of our careers and lives is often shaped by chance occurrences. If you’re prepared to take advantage of unexpected events, you’ll benefit from the possibilities they open up. Be proactive in seeking out new challenges, join careers events and aim to expand your professional network. Keep an open mind and be willing to step outside your comfort zone to explore new opportunities.
I am always impressed by candidates who have considered long-term labour market projections, can identify the potential skills of the future, and then link this to how they approach learning new skills.
Sam Turnpenny, Recruitment Lead at Accenture
