Written by: LaSandra Collins, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Since the industrial revolution began, employees have had to develop skills to enter into the workforce and stay there. From learning how to use machinery, to automation, and now understanding artificial intelligence (AI). Let us not forget, over the course of a 100 years, we have shifted from an agricultural workforce to a production workforce; from a production workforce to a service-oriented workforce, and now to a knowledge-based workforce. In the late twentieth century, we witnessed the birth of global markets, more and more companies are positioning themselves internationally.
This means, employees must keep their knowledge and skills up to date to remain competitive in the job market. This is even more critical now that we are in an information technology age where, with just the click of a button, at any given time of the day, companies can meet with employees, clients, and prospective clients. Not to mention, because of the Pandemic, companies have had to be agile and innovative in keeping their companies running, which forced some businesses to allow their employees to work remotely. Now, what was once a privilege, has now became a perk for recruiting in many companies; thus, making the job market highly competitive. You must ensure your skills and knowledge are relevant for the future workforce.
We are in an employee’s market this means there are more jobs than there are candidates to fill them. Potential job candidates can be selective and have negotiation power when it comes to their compensation package. But the caveat to this is you must have the knowledge and skills needed to help the organization solve its dilemma. The competition is stiff. On average one job posting can yield 200 applications, and of those applicants, only four to five candidates will be invited to interview, where one candidate is selected. But with current labor shortages and as the workforce skills need change, the amount of qualified job applicants will continue to decrease as the future workforce establishes its presence.
What will the future workforce look like?
We are already getting a glimpse of what the future will look like in the workforce. Organizations are already implementing the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in certain areas of the business for more efficiency, customer engagement, and data. The use of AI in a business allows for automated processes, access to data providing insight on client needs and wants, and the ability to engage customers. The more information customers feed into the AI systems, the more predictive companies can be, which then influences innovative products and services to meet the everchanging needs and demands of their customers and market base.
What can you do to prepare?
You first need to shift your mindset, embrace change, and have a willingness to learn new things. Many employees in the current workforce will be forced to change careers. As AI becomes more prevalent in big business, many jobs will become obsolete and no longer needed. Now is the time for you to take an assessment of your current job, can your job be replaced with AI? What skills do you have that are transferable? What would you like to do next? Do you have the skills and knowledge to do what it is you want to do next? Do you need training? Also, take note of what your current organization is doing now, are they planning to move towards AI? It is imperative that you consider these questions in order to determine what steps you will need to take to prepare for the workforce of the future.
Do the research on how you can build upon the skills you already have or need to transition into your desired role? Data analysts, data specialists, process automation professionals and software and app developers are just a few of the positions that are in high demand as we make the shift to the world of AI.
What skills are needed for the future?
All positions have hard skills and soft skills needed to be successful in the role. Let’s start with some soft skills:
Communication – You must be able to communicate both verbally and in writing. You must also be able listen actively to hear and understand what others are saying.
Problem-Solving – You must be able to use your knowledge and experience to come up with viable solutions to organizational problems.
Teamwork- You must be able to work in a team environment to achieve departmental and organizational goals.
Work Ethic – You must be dependable, reliable and responsible.
Interpersonal Skills – You must be able to build and maintain professional relationships.
Hard skills are job specific, which can be knowledge learned through higher education, hands-on experience, or formal training. For instance, a data analyst must be able to analyze the data (reading and interpreting data), creating charts and graphs, and identifying trends and anomalies. They must also create presentations and generate reports. To determine what hard skills, you will need for the workforce of the future you must know what position you want to pursue. Each job is different and will require specific skills to perform in the role.
The workforce of the future is already here and to compete in the job market you will need to have relevant skills and knowledge that will solve the problems organizations will face from time-to-time. Preparing now will allow for a smooth transition into other roles that will support the AI industry workforce needs. Take an assessment of your skills, determine what you want to do and what knowledge and skills you need, and plan now how to get there. Whether it is additional training to sharpen your skills or to develop new ones, AI is here to stay, and you must be ready for the workforce of the future.
LaSandra Collins empowers professionals to compete effectively in the job market so that they can realize their career aspirations and goals. LaSandra is now the CEO of Competitive Edge, a coaching firm that offers one-on-one coaching and online training to help her clients navigate their careers. Her mission is to help others, hear the words, “We want to make you an offer."
LaSandra Collins, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
LaSandra Collins, is empowers professionals in competing effectively in the job market so that they can realize their career aspirations and goal. For many years, LaSandra worked in dead end jobs to make ends meet. It was after a Recruiter told her, “You are grossly underpaid for the education and experience you have,” that she turned her career around and decided to dedicate her life to helping others do the same. Through research, studying the job market, partnering with Recruiters and strategies LaSandra has created a way to help others find their ideal career opportunities. LaSandra is now the CEO of Competitive Edge, a coaching firm that offers one-on-one coaching and online training to help her clients navigate their careers. Her mission is to help others, hear the words, “We want to make you an offer."
