Already immersed in the second decade of the 21st century, we observe that the labor market is less and less homogeneous. Therefore, it is a reality that certain niches (especially those formed by professionals and high-potential executives) have to adopt the new trends of the labor market in the 21st century in order to remain competitive and survive.
Some of the new trends are:
1. Adaptability
Employees have to be ready to change quickly in response to external stimuli. Employees will have to easily adapt to changes in job requirements, job opportunities, and even major changes in the direction of their careers.
The successful professional must be able to recognize and analyze what opportunities are presented in the market, see how they fit into the general direction of their careers and adapt according to what the circumstances require.
This ability to adapt requires a very clear knowledge of what can be adapted and what is essential. That is, things cannot change without giving up being ourselves. It requires a clear and immovable definition of who we are and what we came to do in this world.
We cannot wait for an organization or any other person or entity to decide what is most convenient for our present and future.
2. Constant Learning
Successful professionals must be constantly acquiring new knowledge, both through formal education programs and through new technologies.
An expectation that these professionals will have from the organizations that hire them will be the possibility of accessing opportunities for learning and constant growth. Furthermore, even if companies are not willing to pay for these types of activities in the long term, many professionals will finance them on their own, because they will know that they will more than pay back their investment in the future. This is what happens today with many postgraduate studies.
The idea is that upon leaving college, professionals will seek jobs where they can learn, gain experience, and make a difference.
3. Proactive Race Control
Successful professionals must have their careers under control, as well as most aspects of their work. Many more people will be 'free agents', moving from one opportunity to another in a highly fluid work environment.
4. Job Changes
Professionals will change jobs every two to four years, and sometimes more frequently. Many of those changes will be within the same organization, as long as the employer provides the necessary freedom of movement and growth.
5. Corporate Ladder
Every day it is becoming more apparent that the old goal of climbing the hierarchy in an organization is not for everyone. Organizations have realized that it makes no sense to promote people who can contribute more than from a technical perspective.
From this point of view, the ability to manage or administer (management) is increasingly valued and sought after. This ability is associated with what is commonly known as a "soft skill", and not all people have developed it or have an interest in developing it.
6. Leadership
At the same time that the ability to manage is sought, those who rise to higher positions in the organization, must develop the ability of leadership. This capacity includes diverse styles of leadership, more appropriate to deal with highly educated professionals, with a high intrinsic value. "Coaching will replace direct management by activities and these leaders are expected to be constantly developing."
Managers will be expected to use a 'facilitative leadership' style that is to facilitate high performance for each individual employee.
7. Compensation
Compensation systems will be based on competencies and capabilities, rather than on the position that the person occupies in the organization, “although the roles adopted by the workers will guide their compensation. The time off will be part of the compensation, along with the satisfaction of the work-personal balance.
As we can see, these are very positive changes in the labor market, which will allow us to obtain greater and greater satisfaction in our lives and careers. Although the price that has to be paid will be the need to develop a series of skills and abilities that make professionals competitive in the increasingly changing labor market.
