If you’ve found yourself worrying lately about your future job prospects because of all this talk of digital disruption, you’re not alone. Of the 1400 Australian workers recently surveyed about this topic, 60% expect to change roles or even industries sometime in the next 10 years, and 67% of young people new to the workforce expect that their current job will be nonexistent, or at the very least, require significantly different skills, in the near future.
But is this necessarily a bad thing?
According to a paper titled “The Future of Work: how can we adapt to survive and thrive?” published by the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, Australian workers who are adaptable and savvy will be able to survive the threat of the current technology boom and advance their careers – or in some cases – create totally new careers in the digital age.
Technology: Friend or Foe?
Digital disruption has a lot of people freaked out, and it’s easy to understand why. The common narrative bandied about is that developments in technology ultimately kill jobs. But this is a very one-sided glass-half-empty view of the changes we are currently experiencing.
The glass-half-full point of view recognizes digital disruption as an opportunity to create new jobs; ones we’d never have access to just a few short years ago. In particular, the rise in technology will create a huge demand for digital marketers who can help businesses navigate this new frontier. With the right mindset, technological advances are a wonderful launching pad for Australians who wish to carve out a completely new career path.
And keep in mind that even though there is obviously going to be huge disruptive and challenging times ahead for those who do not educate themselves with digital skills, for those that do there will be enormous opportunities as the new digital age means:
- lots of new digital career opportunities PLUS
- the big advantage of being able to telecommute or
- work from home or
- create lucrative side businesses whilst still maintaining your usual day time employment or
- ability to work from home and create multiple online businesses and income streams that never existed before
With this in mind, here are 4 ways you can leverage digital disruption and launch your digital marketing career:
- Don’t Fear Change in the Digital Age
You can’t fear change and embrace it at the same time. You’d have an easier time eating soup with a fork.
Besides fearing potential failure that comes with trying something new, many people fear that employers or prospective clients will view their career change negatively. But this again is looking at change with a glass-half-empty mentality.
The reality is, employers and clients also view changing jobs and careers as a sign of agility and an ability to confront change as well as excel in different environments and situations. Since they themselves need help embracing change and managing it to stay afloat, businesses will actively seek out individuals who have personally survived and thrived in the current market.
- Acquire the Right Digital Skill-set through further education
In the survey, half of respondents said they will likely have to seek further education, despite the fact they already have a specific skill-set. It is extremely important in this evolving job market to get the right education so you can remain relevant in today’s knowledge economy and easily transition to your next career.
The ebusiness Institute digital training courses train people in the high paying digital marketing skills of tomorrow; skills that will be more and more in demand with each passing year. With our online teaching portal you can learn everything you need to know to further your education in the following key money making skills for the future:
- How to create and effective website and web presence
- How to promote a person, brand or business online
- How to set up and start an e-business from home
- How to sell your products or services online
And, as a side benefit, you can instantly use this new knowledge to promote your own career in digital marketing.
- Be Ready for new digital career opportunities
You’ve embraced change and gotten the education you need to help you along your path, now you’ve got to be ready when opportunity comes a-knockin’. What happens when a former boss or co-worker calls you out of the blue with an exciting new career opportunity and you’re not ready?
Make sure your resume and LinkedIn profile are current and reflect your recent digital career change and your digital training qualifications. Hiring managers and potential clients will notice if there is a discrepancy between your resume and social media profiles, so be sure to get those up-to-date as soon as possible.
- Build Your Personal Brand Online
You know large companies take time to develop their brand online, but why should you follow suit? Because creating a personal brand online helps you to be recognized in your industry and leads to career opportunities.
When you’re just starting out on your new career path, you want your potential employer or clients to associate your personal brand with something they need. This is why it’s so important that your online brand be an accurate and truthful reflection of who you really are, your strengths, expertise (eg trained and certified in digital marketing) and personal beliefs.
Make sure your social media profiles show off your brand in the best possible light. Do you have a high-quality professional head-shot? Are you actively interacting with others and sharing content? Do you have a website for your brand or home e-business or digital agency show casing your digital skills and qualifications? If you’ve answered no to any of these, let alone all of them, snap to it!
Digital disruption is here – it’s happening. The choice is totally up to you. You can either fear it and your future, or you can embrace it and create a future that is full of options that create your ideal lifestyle, personal aspirations and that creates a secure financial future – yes, its time to get further education in the new digital skills of the future!
