Mere weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the World Economic Forum predicted that more than one billion people will need to be reskilled by 2030 because of changing work environments. And when the consulting firm McKinsey released their COVID-19 workplace recovery plan in 2020, they spoke to the ways in which digital transformation continues to drive changes in the workplace. The consulting firm estimates that digital adoption accelerated five years during just the first two months of the pandemic.

Employees, no doubt, recognize this paradigm shift will continue in today’s highly dynamic business environment. In fact, according to a 2021 survey conducted by PwC, nearly 40% of workers worry their job will be obsolete in less than five years. In an evolving environment, the answer is to remain nimble. Here are tips to remain in demand in the ever-changing world of work. 

1. Adopt a “growth mindset”

If it’s been a while since you changed job functions (or much longer since you were in school) trying something new can feel frightening. After all, it’s wonderful to attain a level at work where you feel competent and accomplished. However, your future might depend on the desire to increase proficiency. 

Attitude can play a decisive role in your achievement, so harness your curiosity and drive to succeed in learning new digital skills. The belief that you can always learn new things is known as "growth mindset." The benefits are both intrinsic and extrinsic. First, you’ll probably feel pleasantly surprised at the confidence boost you’ll get from mastering something new. It also can lead to a bump in salary: in Gallup’s American Upskilling Study, workers who had recently participated in an upskilling program reported annual incomes an average of $8,000 higher than those who hadn’t, which study authors pegged at the equivalent of an 8.6% salary increase.

2. Determine which competencies will be in demand in the job you have

When considering your options, you want to be sure you’re pursuing improvements that will have longevity and continue to contribute to mission-critical functions. Even if you’re not currently worried your abilities are subpar, it’s wise to initiate a talk with your manager to position yourself as a go-getter who is ready to embrace the next workplace wave.  

Ask them what digital trends they see the firm moving toward and about opportunities to upskill in your current role, perhaps by volunteering to be on a companywide task force to choose new software or by taking a class in analytics and sharing your knowledge with your team.  Another way to determine what specialized traits are becoming more valuable is by reading current job descriptions for the position you have (or one you want) to see which digital skills are cited.

3. Take the current period of reshuffling to find your ideal job

While clouds are starting to dissipate over the hiring picture in some sectors, the Great Resignation is still well underway in many others. With positions open in a multitude of fields, take advantage of the unprecedented opportunity to move to a more relevant or lucrative field, a move that could be more challenging in a tighter labor environment.

As you evaluate your current industry, consider whether growth has slowed compared with other sectors or types of companies that appear to have a potentially brighter future. For example, telehealth is booming, whereas office assistants could have a shorter career trajectory as automation overtakes core functions.

4. Find out what options your employer offers

As workplaces mold their offerings to attract and retain top talent, many are heeding the call to provide more development opportunities. The already-mentioned Gallup report found that 65% of workers rated the opportunity to participate in an upskilling program as “extremely” or “very” important when considering new work opportunities, whereas 61% said the same as they evaluated whether they would stay in their current position. Of course, additional expertise can also benefit the organization through a digitally savvy team who will be more efficient and effective.

If your company hasn’t been forthcoming with potential development opportunities, ask if they would sponsor a class or certification to help you acquire knowledge that would be valuable to them now — and you over the long run. If layoffs do surface, new digital skills can make you less vulnerable.

5. Take training on your own if necessary

While company-sponsored training is preferable, sometimes you might have to go it alone, especially if you are trying to learn something that doesn’t have immediate value for your current employer. After you’ve identified the digital competencies you seek, search for cost-effective programs, such as “certificates” or other credentials that don’t require going back to school but can help you stand out among your current colleagues or candidates in a job search.

Courses are available through sources like LinkedIn Learning, Udemy, and Coursera, as well as “massive open online courses” (MOOCs), which are free online courses in a wide array of topics, many of them technology related.

Last thoughts

As industries embrace digital transformation to better serve customers and provide more exciting work to their employees, now is the time to figure out how you will fit into the evolving world of work. By reframing your mindset to one of excitement, rather than reticence, and then seeking out the skills you need, you can be equipped to meet tomorrow’s expectations head-on.