Even if you have a stable job right now, there could be a number of things that might happen which will eventually leave you redundant. It might not look obvious now, but when things start to spiral out of control and your role in the workplace is suddenly obsolete, you’ll be kicking yourself for not preparing for it sooner.
Whether it’s fears that robots will replace us or a company’s drive to introduce younger talent into a company, it’s important to be vigilant when protecting your career. So without further ado, here are a couple of tips to help ensure that your career is safe until you decide to retire.
Always be open to learning new skills and acquiring knowledge
Employees tend to outlive their usefulness in a workplace once their knowledge is outdated. Whether it’s learning how to use new machines or picking up useful skills to give you more responsibilities in the workplace, you have to show that you’re willing to upgrade yourself and try new things.
Do everything in your power to avoid a criminal offense
A criminal offense puts a stain on your record that will be difficult to remove. While there are record expungement services, these are mainly for old, incorrect, or minor offenses that normally wouldn’t be a threat to employers. However, if you do something serious then it will likely put your job at risk, especially if it has a chance to negatively affect the reputation of the company that you work for. In short, don’t do anything stupid and stay away from the law if you want to keep your career.
Be a team player and don’t isolate yourself from the rest of your company
Employers love it when their most talented employees engage with team members to impart their knowledge, skills, and experience to younger talent. In this regard, it’s important to be a team player instead of isolating yourself from everyone else. You’re more useful to a company when you engage with everyone else and work as a team. If you slowly drift away and people find it hard to work with you, then you can become a detriment to the company.
Always be on the lookout for new opportunities
Staying with the same company creates a layer of safety, especially if that company rewards your loyalty. However, looking ahead for future opportunities can be just as lucrative if not even more safety for your career. If your name is well-known in the industry as a reputable and reliable expert, then you’ll have no shortage of career opportunities waiting for you.
Keep communications open and don’t overlook networking
Lastly, don’t be afraid to keep communications open and continue rolling offers. Networking is an important aspect of growing your career and it’s essential that you stay in touch with people that you meet from the industry or even other sectors. This will help you learn about new careers, opportunities, and even offer you a sense of safety if you ever lose your job.