4 Tips to Future-Proof Your Career | The Way We Work, a TED series

TED

TED

4 min, 19 sec

Dr. Michelle Weise discusses strategies for individuals to adapt to a future where frequent career transitions will be the norm.

Summary

  • People historically have had around 12 jobs, but future predictions suggest 20-30 or more, many of which don't yet exist.
  • To navigate career changes, individuals should highlight human skills, become skills translators, learn from discomfort, and choose supportive employers.
  • Human skills are crucial and transferable; they include adaptability, collaboration, judgment, and mediating tense situations.
  • Skills should be translated to the language of prospective employers and discomfort at work can signal areas for skill development.
  • Choosing an employer that invests in talent development and provides clear advancement pathways is important for long-term career success.

Chapter 1

Introduction to Career Changes

0:00 - 29 sec

Introducing the concept that individuals will experience numerous job changes throughout their career, many in fields that do not yet exist.

Introducing the concept that individuals will experience numerous job changes throughout their career, many in fields that do not yet exist.

  • The number of jobs one can expect to hold is increasing, with future estimates predicting 20 to 30 jobs or more.
  • This shift in the job market can seem overwhelming, considering the current outdated job search mechanisms like resumes and job postings.

Chapter 2

The Way We Work

0:39 - 20 sec

Dr. Michelle Weise introduces herself and sets the stage for her advice on navigating career changes.

Dr. Michelle Weise introduces herself and sets the stage for her advice on navigating career changes.

  • Dr. Michelle Weise, an advisor to companies and educational institutions, discusses preparing for successful and longer careers.
  • She aims to help individuals understand how to approach their next job change and the subsequent ones.

Chapter 3

Highlighting Human Skills

0:59 - 1 min, 3 sec

Dr. Weise emphasizes the importance of human skills and how to identify and present them to prospective employers.

Dr. Weise emphasizes the importance of human skills and how to identify and present them to prospective employers.

  • Human skills such as adaptability, collaboration, and judgment are as important as hard skills and should be prominently featured.
  • Creating a timeline of experiences helps identify patterns in skill development, including transferable human skills gained from personal and professional experiences.

Chapter 4

Becoming a Skills Translator

2:03 - 36 sec

Dr. Weise advises on the need to translate one's skills to align with the language and needs of the target industry.

Dr. Weise advises on the need to translate one's skills to align with the language and needs of the target industry.

  • It is important to research the target industry and translate skills to match the employer's context and language.
  • The same skill may be interpreted differently across industries, such as communication skills in marketing versus behavioral health.

Chapter 5

Embracing Discomfort

2:39 - 32 sec

Dr. Weise encourages using discomfort as a tool to identify and address skill gaps for career advancement.

Dr. Weise encourages using discomfort as a tool to identify and address skill gaps for career advancement.

  • Discomfort at work can be a useful indicator of where one needs to improve or acquire new skills.
  • By recognizing and acting on these areas of discomfort, individuals can turn them into opportunities for growth.

Chapter 6

Choosing the Right Employer

3:10 - 43 sec

Dr. Weise stresses the importance of selecting an employer that supports skill development and offers advancement opportunities.

Dr. Weise stresses the importance of selecting an employer that supports skill development and offers advancement opportunities.

  • Job seekers should look for employers that are committed to developing their talent and have clear pathways for internal career advancement.
  • Companies should recognize and cultivate human skills and talent, helping employees to develop professionally within the organization.

Chapter 7

Taking Control of Your Career Path

3:53 - 21 sec

Dr. Weise summarizes the strategies for individuals to take charge of their career trajectories in a rapidly changing job market.

Dr. Weise summarizes the strategies for individuals to take charge of their career trajectories in a rapidly changing job market.

  • Individuals can exercise control over their career paths by identifying hidden skills, translating strengths, and addressing skill gaps.
  • By presenting their skills effectively and choosing supportive employers, job changes can become less intimidating and more exciting.

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