The Future of Work Part II: 10 Tips For Professionals

Opening a recent panel on the “Future of Work” at SXSW V2V, Maynard Webb asked everyone in the room “How many of you have been at your current company for more than five years?” Only a couple of hands went up.

How many people do you know who have been at their jobs longer than five years? That is a long time-horizon today. I heard Tom Malone of MIT say recently: “My dad had one job, I'll have 7 jobs, and my kids will have 7 jobs at once.” The fact that the way we work is changing is irrefutable.

My last post discussed what the future looks like and how companies should respond to it. Let’s turn now to how we, as professionals, can navigate today’s changing career paths.

Here are 10 tips to help professionals step up to the future of work:

1. Be entrepreneurial

You’re going to notice a common thread throughout my tips: opportunity. Being entrepreneurial today does not necessarily mean starting a company; it can also mean the mindset of someone who is adept at seeing opportunities and making things happen. When you define it this way, you realize being entrepreneurial applies to almost everyone — whether you actually are starting a business, or if you are a team member who wants to gain respect within an organization. The entrepreneurial mindset will become one of the greatest professional differentiators of the Millennial generation, and it’s also fascinating to watch how those who have this mindset band together to support each other and make things happen on an even larger scale.

2. View change as an opportunity

The changing world of work can be anxiety-provoking, but it is actually an opportunity for professionals to set themselves apart. Consider the following statistic: The American Society of Training and Development (ASTD) estimates that by 2015, 60% of new jobs will require skills that only 20% of the population currently has. This represents a huge gap that you have the potential to help fill by crafting your skills appropriately. One resource to help navigate this process is a book releasing next Tuesday, Promote Yourself: The New Rules for Career Success, by Dan Schawbel (founder of Millennial Branding).

3. Start small, explore options, and gain experience as you go

At the end of the day, we’re the sum of our experiences. For those of you who are early in your careers or perhaps considering making a change, dip your toes in the water and see what you like. Growth comes from being outside your comfort zone and challenging yourself. How do you do this? Try different internships, switch jobs (even within the same company), or take on freelance projects. Explore options along the way, make some mistakes (but learn from them), and ultimately you’ll have a better sense of what your interests are as well as a growing track record of actual work you’ve done. For your job prospects, gaining this initial experience (and showcasing it) is critical, as Harvard economist Amanda Pallais found in a recently published study.

4. Cultivate your network

Porter Gale (former VP of Marketing at Virgin America and author of Your Network is Your Net Worth) spoke to our team this week about networking. A critical point she makes about the art of networking is that you must establish authentic relationships built on your passion. These types of contacts can turn into your next big opportunity. For example, while attending a networking event a few years back, I met Sharon Wienbar (of Scale Venture Partners). She was intrigued with our business and referred me to the organizers of a colloquium at Harvard. While at that event, I formed relationships including one that led to Harvard Business School writing a case on oDesk which they now teach annually. Last year, despite Hurricane Sandy’s best attempts to keep me away, I guest lectured in their class. This never would have happened without that first networking event. Which leads me to…

5. Remember this: you lose 100% of the opportunities you don’t pursue

We all get opportunities (yes, there’s that word again) of varying degrees every day, but many of us brush them off and say our time is too tight. Be careful with this behavior. Before you turn anything down, ponder it for a bit because you never know what you may miss. We’ve all had moments when something wonderful happened and we’ve thought, “Wow, I’m so glad I did ____, otherwise I never would have ____” (fill in the blanks).

6. Along the way, try what you love

First, figure out what you’re good at. Then, figure out what you really enjoy doing. To the extent that those things intersect and there’s a viable market, go do that thing. If you’re able to identify what motivates you to wake up in the morning and stay up late at night, you’re well ahead of the game. As Steve Jobs once said, “If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.”

7. Build your personal brand

A top personal brand expert happens to be someone I work with, oDesk VP of Marketing Jaleh Bisharat. To quote Jaleh here: “Personal brand is growing in importance, as managers seek people with the right characteristics for fluid projects and teams. Think of your personal brand this way: When somebody encounters you for the first time, what do you want them to think? Once you've identified your personal brand — or what you bring to the table — deliver on it consistently. Then promote it in places that matter to your audience: places like LinkedIn, Twitter, relevant blogs, live conferences and meetups.”

8. Be a lifelong learner

Take every chance thrown your way to gain knowledge. The job market we’re operating in is as dynamic as it is competitive, so this is more important than ever. You won’t be successful resting on your laurels. Learning is widely available online now via sites like Skillshare (a community marketplace to learn anything from anyone), Lynda.com, Vimeo’s “how to” videos, and for those interested in languages, check out Fluent in 3 Months (a company built by oDesk client Benny Lewis).

9. Give yourself a break

Work is like training for a marathon. You have to give yourself breaks, especially those of us building businesses or self-employed who work incessant hours typically. Fellow LinkedIn Influencer Shane Snow also recently wrote about the importance of “sacred time” for balance. It is important to take breaks so you don’t burn yourself out. You need to make it through to the finish of long projects, but you also need to allow yourself time to recover and enjoy your accomplishments.

10. Finally, if opportunities don’t present themselves, make them

Every day should be about making your own opportunities. There is one person in charge of your career destiny, and that person is you. If you have a manager who isn’t presenting you with opportunities, don’t wait. Identify projects you can step up on, and take the initiative to suggest them. Be bold. Be assertive. Make opportunities happen. If you spend your days waiting for a permission slip to make things happen, you’re going to spend your career waiting.

What has worked well for you? Any advice you’d like to add to these thoughts?

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Gary Swart is the CEO of oDesk, the world’s largest online workplace.