The truth is that you must rethink your career strategy to move beyond working for a large organization. The majority of jobs recently lost came out of these large organizations. The available positions lie in small businesses and entrepreneurial ventures (or Virtualpreneurs™) and are contract or outsourced. It’s time to accept that the days of having a long-term career and gold watch retirement are gone.
The New World of Work is here to stay. As a refresher, this revolution is based on three trends – work is fractionalized, careers are virtualized, and talent is globalized. You no longer compete with talent in your zip code. Now the competition is global and access to talent is made simple through technology and virtualized business models.
So how do you maximize the opportunities now available?
First, understand that you are a brand. The ability to market your talents is a must, even if you do not have your own business. Why? Because a huge percentage of companies will look to hire talent on a contract basis by hiring Virtualpreneurs. Furthermore, the biggest growth is happening in the small business sector (under $100 million in revenue). These businesses move fast and change quickly.
The hiring practices of a small business are very different from a large corporation. They typically do not have formalized job descriptions and look for people who are comfortable with change. They will look for talent by asking for referrals. Opportunities in the New World of Work require candidates to understand their strengths, how they differ from others wanting the position, and how to present themselves in a consistent manner. Therefore, having a solid understanding of personal branding will net you opportunities for both contract work and potential full-time work with a small business.
What is your persona? Determine what your role is and how it best aligns with the position you seek. Are you a Doer, Solver or Builder?
What are your work options? Should you work for yourself or someone else? If for yourself, then what does that look like? If you working for someone else, then what is the best role?
What types of careers are available? Are you better suited for a start-up company, start your own business or become a Virtualpreneur? If you are working for someone else, what size company should you consider?
By determining your career strategy and then aligning with personal branding, you are well-positioned to take advantage of virtual work opportunities available. Even if you decide to work for someone else, the combination of developing solid personal branding with a good understanding of your career focus will ensure you are happier and in the best place.
This post was inspired from content in our new book The New World of Work: From Cube to the Cloud. Find out why this is happening, what the new opportunities are, and what this whole shift means for you. Get more information and order the book at www.newworldofwork.com.
With the soulfulness of Wayne Dyer and the entrepreneurial spirit of Richard Branson, Terri is a world-class business growth expert, social impact investor, and serial entrepreneur whose purpose is to inspire potential. With her own money, Terri built a portfolio of purposeful companies, Share On Purpose, Inc., and now invests in and creates mission-driven start-ups.
In a career that spans more than 25 years, Terri has launched, owned, sold, rebranded or turned around more than 40 companies. She is known for her game-changing business models and personal transformation frameworks.
Everything she built came directly from a wellspring of perseverance and soulful resiliency, which she openly shares through her first purposeful brand, Succeed On Purpose.
