Disappearing Careers: What to do if your job vanishes!

According to Oxford Economics, disappearing careers is something we all need to pay attention to. Tens of millions of jobs are at risk of being lost to AI, particularly those in the manufacturing and service industries.

Experts forecast that software, advanced robotics, and other tech will replace human employees with computerised counterparts that are speedier and cheaper. On top of the robots, disappearing careers will also be fast-tracked by economic downturns and outsourcing, creating unstable environments for workers across a wide range of industries.

Could your livelihood be at stake? If that is the case, you’re probably less interested in the way than what actions you can take to prepare. The online job aggregator Adzuna gives us a look at what to do if your job is on the line.

Tips for planning a new career

#1 Make an income-generating plan

Instead of searching for another full-time job, be on the lookout for ways to make money in the short term. If you’re a probable victim of disappearing jobs, this is even more important. To make money while you’re busy figuring out your longer-term plans, here are a few options you might want to consider:

  • Temporary jobs – Seasonal or temporary jobs can fill a financial gap and help you stay active and relevant in the job market.
  • Gig work – On-demand apps like Uber offer flexible employment opportunities for drivers, shoppers, babysitters, virtual assistants, and more. These jobs are typically easy to schedule around other jobs and responsibilities, making them ideal pocket fillers.

#2 Upskill ASAP

If your transferable skills and experience can’t help you bridge the gap between your current role and the impending AI takeover, improving your employability score might be the solution. Completing certificate programs can get you into other high-paying positions like web development. Typically, these programs take a few months to complete and cost significantly less than an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.

#3 Craft a long-term plan

It may make sense to go back to university and gain additional degrees or certifications. But you might also be able to develop new career skills on the job too. Whatever direction you take, it really pays to investigate your options and make time to build a new career path.

Here’s what career-planning includes:

  • Self-assessment: You need to have a solid understanding of your interests, aptitudes, and values to find the perfect new career. Online assessments like 123Test and Career Explorer are great tools that can give you a push in the right direction.
  • Research: After you’ve come up with a list of possible occupations, you need to do your homework. You can search specific job titles on Adzuna to discover data pertaining to average salaries and where these jobs are geographically located.
  • Exploration: Now is the time to leverage your network so you can learn more about what it’s like to do the jobs you have in mind. Get as much as possible information about the little-known truth about these jobs and insider tips to succeed in each of them.

Get ready to grow!

People between the ages of 18 and 52 change jobs about 12 times during their working lives. There are already hundreds of disappearing jobs, a problem created by the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, and during these turbulent economic times, it’s a safe bet that most of these are involuntary.

To thrive (and not just make it to the other side), you must brace for sudden career shifts and a gradual change in requirements. The skills you use to do your job today might be obsolete tomorrow.

Your safest bet is to keep upskilling and plan for a lifetime of growing and learning. Every career will eventually change, even if it doesn’t happen abruptly, so you need to be ready to change with yours!

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