Introduction
For decades, hard-working and conscientious employees were rewarded, if they so desired, with permanent employment. A company’s verbal employment contract promised a job “for life” in return for the employee’s commitment to loyalty and excellent work.
Fewer and fewer companies are able to fulfill “this deal” due to downsizing, restructuring, outsourcing, and corporate consolidation in recent decades.
The concept of professional dynamism has replaced the old corporate market. This new concept is about employees taking responsibility for their careers, their job performance, and their ongoing training and development. Employees who are career-driven, and at some point face job loss, have ways of coping. In an unexpected situation, they can bounce back and take advantage of it. Career dynamism simply means that you must:
- Ensure that your professional skills do not become obsolete;
- Assess whether your current skills will still be relevant in your company or industry five or ten years from now;
- Understand the labor market and consider industry growth trends and in-demand careers;
- know your talents, strengths and interests since these can translate into other jobs if you find yourself unexpectedly unemployed;
- Know that losing a job does not necessarily mean a long period of unemployment.
Recommendation
No one will invest more in your career than “you”. Take the initiative to design your own career development plan with the following recommendations in mind:
- Continually evaluate your skills.
- Track the progress of your local labor market.
- Keep learning; view education as an ongoing process, not an isolated event.
- Continually look for ways to make yourself look good to your employer.
- Continue to meet others in your industry.
Today’s job market requires people who can keep up with the ever-growing needs of businesses.
To be successful, you must expect and be prepared to “navigate” the changes.
Exercise: Maintain your development plan
This exercise will allow you to keep tabs on the skills you currently possess as well as new ones you will acquire throughout your career..