How to stay informed in an ever-evolving work environment

How to stay informed in an ever-evolving work environment
How to stay informed in an ever-evolving work environment

posted 15 Sep 23

Search Editorial Team

The world of work is constantly evolving. From the rise of remote and hybrid working to the introduction of AI, we’ve seen rapid transformation over the last few years.  

Whether you’re looking for a new job or not, staying informed on the latest workplace trends is vital in a fast-changing workplace culture. By taking the time to understand new and upcoming ways of working and adapting to change, you may learn new skills, find your perfect role, or unlock opportunities at work, such as promotions and salary increases. 

How do you stay up to date with workplace trends? Our recruitment specialists have identified six key areas to focus on to become an early adopter. 

Analyse job adverts  

Even if you’re not currently in the market for new employment, it is still worth reading and evaluating job adverts regularly to see what employers are looking for and identify recurring themes.  

Look at adverts for positions similar to yours or your ideal role. Make a note of the commonly listed skills, experience, behaviours, and salary ranges. You can then compare your findings to your individual circumstances.  

During your research, you may: 

  • Discover gaps in your knowledge for personal development.  
  • Find the market value for your role and evaluate whether it’s time to negotiate a salary increase. 
  • Decide that a job move is right for you. In this case, your research will have identified relevant keywords, phrases, and abilities to add to your CV and applications. 

Top tip: Register to receive alerts from recruiters like Search, job boards, and social media to be notified of the latest vacancies and save time searching.  

Upskill yourself

Whether you’re a junior or have worked in your chosen specialism for years, honing and expanding your talents is never a bad idea. Upskilling can support your professional and personal development and future-proof your career, alongside:

  • Increasing job satisfaction 
  • Closing skills gaps, either individually or in your company  
  • Helping you progress in your role or land a promotion
  • Uncovering strengths or interests you didn’t know you had
  • Demonstrating to current and potential employers that you are proactive and committed to supporting their business goals
  • Unlocking a different career path

Depending on your learning style and knowledge level, there are various ways to upskill yourself. Options include apprenticeships, online learning, courses and workshops, working with a mentor, and university degrees. 

Many employers offer fully or partially funded training for their employees. Speak to your manager or company’s Learning and Development team to see what options are available before dipping into your pocket and committing to an external provider. 

If you’re not sure what areas to develop, you may want to consider the following soft skills which are in high demand from employers right now: 

  • Time management  
  • Creativity  
  • Critical thinking  
  • Good communication 
  • Working effectively with others  
  • Great customer service  
  • Emotional intelligence  
  • Leadership and people management  
  • Digital competency 
  • Project management  

Explore growing specialisms and roles

As the world continues to evolve, job roles will rise and fall in popularity. If you’re a graduate looking for your first role, picking a position or industry with a good outlook could help future-proof your career. For career changers, reviewing popular occupations and specialisms may help you align your skills, personality, values, and interests.  

Innovation agency for social good, Nesta, released a report mapping out how the employment landscape will likely change by 2030. Nesta’s research found that 8% of workers are in occupations likely to grow over the next 10 to 15 years, including:  

  • Restaurant, catering, bar and pub managers and owners  
  • Chefs 
  • Waiters and waitresses  
  • Artists  
  • Sports coaches and instructors 
  • Primary and secondary school teachers 
  • Social services managers and directors  
  • Occupational therapists
  • Mechanical engineers
  • Social, humanities and biological scientists and biochemists 
  • Advertising account managers and creative directors   
  • Telecommunications engineers  
  • Photographers and broadcast operators  
  • Vets and veterinary nurses

Consume online and offline content and media  

Tapping into reputable outlets can expand your knowledge and provide fresh takes on key or emerging topics. Content avenues may include social media, online articles, business and trade publications, email newsletters, podcasts, webinars, and professional bodies. 

For channels you find valuable, set notifications and subscribe to emails to be alerted of new releases and information.  

Top tip: Dedicate time each week to read or listen to the latest news and updates to keep your finger on the pulse. 

Start networking

Start networking

A great way to stay informed is to grow your network – in person, online, or both. Networking is as much about connecting with others as it is about getting your name out there.    

Hearing different perspectives and insights from fellow professionals can help you stay on top of industry trends and topics. You never know who is in the room; you may even hear directly from those implementing change. Conversations and discussions may also spark ideas, help you learn best practice, and result in career advice and new opportunities.  

Remember, networking isn’t just attending events and conferences. Networking also includes curating your LinkedIn profile, following and connecting with professionals online, or joining professional and local organisations.

Work with a recruitment agency  

Working with a recruiter means more than simply receiving support when finding a new role. One of the advantages of recruitment companies is that they live and breathe all things hiring and employment. As a recruitment agency, we:  

  • Speak to clients daily. Therefore, we know what employers in different specialisms are looking for in their next hire. We share this insight with our candidates, so you benefit from the most up-to-date information. 
  • Analyse data and monitor emerging topics so you don’t have to. We break them down to save you time and highlight key information to enable you to adapt to upcoming workplace changes.  

Create a wealth of resources, from industry knowledge to job-hunting tips and career development advice. Check out our Insights & Advice section on our website. 

Are you looking to take the next step in your career? Contact us today to receive dedicated and specialist support to find a job you love.  

Sources 

> Nesta - The Future of Skills: Employment in 2030Â