The beginning of a new year is always a great time to pause and look for career advice, no matter your age or stage of your career. Adapting your skills, career goals, network and industry knowledge is more important as you get older.
Take some time to determine actions you can take to improve your career opportunities.
Be aware of your interpersonal and generational communication style. Our experience, profession, industry and education shape our interpersonal and leadership style in the workplace. I take steps each day to engage co-workers, either face-to-face or by phone, to understand their challenges. I force myself to slow down to get everyone’s feedback. In today’s workforce, older generations must be aware and adapt to younger generations to enable an entire organization’s success.
Expand and maintain your network in a variety of industries. Most of my career has been in business-to-business marketing for the logistics industry. Knowing that, I strive to develop contacts in other areas to improve my career portability. If I ever have to leave my current role, I want to have a large and broad network to find my next opportunities. LinkedIn has made building a network easier, but do not forget to attend traditional events such as meet-and-greets and conferences.
Keep yourself active in the public eye. Google yourself, and what comes up? It’s a simple test to determine the image of your personal brand. If your name is attached to press releases, news stories, public events and education – awesome – keep it up. If nothing comes up, then start to determine how to position yourself in initiatives you personally value.
The speed of change in business will only increase.
Improve your formal education. Who has the time? No one, but it needs to be a goal. Possessing formal education and improving your educational credentials allows you to remain relevant. The speed of change in business will only increase, and it’s better to get ahead of the change and stay at the top of your game.
Live in a place with an active workforce. Working longer has become a fact of business life over the past decade. Working longer helps maximize your retirement income, helps in providing health care and other benefits, and aids in life satisfaction. Geographic location is a significant factor to help in a long career. The best locations will have a high labor force participation rate and a low historical unemployment rate for workers aged 44 to 64.
Take advantage of an offered education. Organizations often offer training at a variety of ability levels. Take advantage. Focus on classes and skills that will make you unique, valued and versatile. Skills in data use, technology, data visualization, cost reductions, productivity improvement, leadership, business growth and customer satisfaction are in demand.
Teach the next generation of leaders. Being an expert and a teacher in your current role is awesome. Teaching the next generation of leaders and co-workers in your organization sets you apart. Generational teaching within the organization is a way to learn new skills from younger employees.
Understand the capabilities and pitfalls of the most recent technology. New technology holds both peril and promise. Attending conferences, reading business news, keeping up to date on podcasts and listening to industry leaders are ways to understand how the latest technology helps and hurts an organization’s success.
Expect a shock to your career … soon. Every employee should always expect a change to their employment status. There are factors beyond your control that could affect your employment. Having a growing network, modern skills, a strong personal brand and living in a dynamic economic community will keep your career prospects strong.
It’s a good time for a reexamination of your current and future aspirations. Make 2020 a year of focus, determination, “upskilling,” to continue your career successes.
Chad Storlie is an adjunct professor of marketing at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Fla., and a retired U.S. Army Special Forces officer.
