​The future of work is changing quickly, and the jobs of tomorrow will be different than today. A new study from the World Economic Forum reveals the emerging jobs that are in urgent demand worldwide. According to the report, 37% of projected opportunities will be in the care economy; 17% in sales, marketing and content; 16% in data and AI; 12% in engineering and cloud computing; and 8% in people and culture. The following resources can help prepare for the trends of tomorrow. Seek resources to upskillUpskilling requires learning on the job to remain relevant in the changing future. There are numerous opportunities to embrace and volunteer for upskilling. Have a conversation with your manager about how you can fit into the organization’s long-term plans through upskilling.More companies are planning to build talent within their workforce, with 84% of organizations planning to upskill employees in 2020 – an exponential increase from 21% in 2011, according to a ManpowerGroup report. Cultivate learnability Candidates who can demonstrate higher cognitive skills, creativity and the ability to process complex information, together with adaptability and likeability, can expect greater success throughout their careers. To meet these needs, workers need to cultivate their Learnability and continue to grow their soft skills. Join industry associations The best industry associations offer many practical benefits including certification, conferences, webinars, networking events and job boards. Industry associations often commission industry research, so members can keep up with trends that are likely to shape the industry. All these benefits are important to anyone looking for a job, especially in a new and emerging field. Look into joining a recognized industry association to stay current with your job skills. Don’t ignore soft skills Overall, soft skills are not going away. ManpowerGroup's report Robots Need Not Apply: Human Solutions in the Skills Revolution surveyed 20,000 employers across 42 countries on the impact of automation, and found that soft skills are of greatest value are hardest to find. Developing soft skill abilities can have an immediate and long-term impact on your career. And those are the transferable skills that will continue to be in demand. ​No matter what work you do, the ability to learn, unlearn, relearn is vital to advancing your career. Employers are looking for candidates with skills and adaptability for this changing environment. 

​How do you develop transferable skills?​There’s a fine line between being an expert and getting pigeon-holed into a narrow role. Even if you become highly specialized and skilled at your job, you want to work on remaining well-rounded and develop skills that can be transferable to new positions. ​Do you know what skills you have that are transferable to other industries or functions? Review this checklist for a quick assessment. Then focus on these methods for developing transferable skills. ​Examine your résuméYou may already have budding transferable skills that you can focus on. Review your resume to see what experiences can be applied in new roles. Having the experience is one thing, knowing how and when to showcase those transferable skills is another. Recognize the transferable skills that are embedded in your current role such as project management, as well as creativity, communications, planning and collaboration. What are roles that can be further developed? ​Step into new roles​Consider volunteer roles – either inside or outside your organization – that add expertise and knowledge to your tool kit. Use volunteering as an opportunity to try something new, perhaps a career you always wanted to explore. You may find it as exciting as you dreamed, or it may lack the glamour or fulfillment you envisioned. Follow your passion – when you are giving back to something you believe, it is much easier to find that extra hour or two every week and learn new skills. ​Set accountability goals for yourself ​Metrics are often associated with performance reviews, which play a part in developing soft skills. But you can also create output metrics to set accountability for developing transferable skills. For example, a manager can rate your leadership ability before and after a training activity such as joining committees at work. ​Transferable skills are only becoming more valuable for organizations. Today, more than half (56%) of employers say communication skills, written and verbal, are their most valued human strengths followed by collaboration and problem-solving, according to the global Talent Shortage Survey. That’s why developing these skills are important for today, and they’ll only become more necessary tomorrow. ​

​What Transferable Skills do Employers Look for?​Today’s employers need flexibility to take skills from one role and apply them to another. Here is how you can maximize your marketability through transferable skills.​Jobs today and in the future aren’t about what you already know. Increasingly, they are about what you are willing to learn, adapt and apply for tomorrow’s needs. Roles in sales, business and financial operations and office administration all need transferable skills like writing, managing, strategy and information technology that will still be applicable despite changing job titles. ​Here are the transferable skills that are most in demand. ​Learnability over the long term Of all transferable skills, learnability is the foundation. Learnability is the desire and ability to continually learn and grow throughout careers. To keep your learnability skill sharp, take the time to find unfamiliar topics and dig beneath the surface. Situational leadership Every leader is different, and every situation is different. But the leader that can adapt to each situation with different approaches has valuable transferable skills. According to Situational Leadership Theory, quality leaders know how to read different needs and provide the right style based on the experience level, difficulty of task and novelty of the situation. Those who can provide this type of flexible leadership can transfer across new environments and be in high demand.Thriving with teamwork While automation is augmenting work, humans and teams will continue to need to work together. On a team, there are people who will do what they commit to, while others will not deliver. The team has to manage these situations, so that they do not impact the grades of team members. Being a team player, and possessing interpersonal skills, are critical workplace skills in a variety of situations.​Overall, soft skills are not going away. ManpowerGroup's report — Robots Need Not Apply: Human Solutions in the Skills Revolution — surveyed 20,000 employers across 42 countries on the impact of automation, and found that soft skills that are of greatest value are hardest to find. ​Developing soft skill abilities can have an immediate and long-term impact on your career. And those are the transferable skills that will continue to be in demand.  

​Some internships might only last a few weeks or months, but their impact can last for years. Follow these steps to make the most of this period to launch success for years to come.​Build your brand with the right internshipAlong with your major and your GPA, internships are one of the most important line items on your resume. Because it’s tied to your personal brand, applying for internships should be more thoughtful than simply working in a relative’s office filing papers for the summer. Put thought into what internships aligns with your future career goals, then make a list of businesses that can advance this brand. If a business where you want to intern isn’t hiring, reach out to them regardless. Your proactivity may be rewarded.Designate a mentor or mentorsMany internships will have a mentor built into the role. If not, have a conversation with your manager at the beginning so you know who you can go to answer the mundane to the important questions. Having a designating mentor will benefit you for more than just locating the bathroom. Building a relationship with a mentor can help down the line when you need references, career insights and job leads.Ask questions. Then ask more questions.“I don’t know” are the three hardest words to say. It can be hard to admit when you need help. But an internship is a time when you’re not expected to know it all. Use this to your advantage by asking questions on any topic you may be unsure. Remember, this is a learning opportunity.Do thankless tasksIt’s a cliche of internships that you sometimes do thankless tasks, because it’s true. The temptation may be to rush through these mundane assignments or feel that they are beneath you. But you’re building a reputation during this time not just for your talents, but with your presence and your character. You have a short time to make a lasting impressions, so do even the minor assignments to the best of your ability. You may find what seems like a series of thankless tasks are the ones that pay off in the long run.​Final thought: Even though internships are often entry-level learning experience, they can also offer responsibility, like learning how to project manage. An internship is more than a line on a resume – it also means growth and education. Use it to your advantage.​

​​There is a crucial time between getting hired and starting work where you have leverage to enhance your work life.When negotiating, ask for what you want or they won’t necessarily know what is important to you. ​Know the market range for your salary  ​Most medium to large organizations have a pay range – not just one rate – for each position. To find this range, seek out a credible compensation survey from consultancies that collect data from organizations, rather than individuals who may submit unverified data. If you can’t get access to these surveys, do research online and talking to your network and recruiters to build the picture of the range. Then negotiate within the range based on your experience and skills.  Think beyond the salary  ​Frederick Herzberg, a pioneer in the field of business psychology, asserted that people aren’t just motivated by salary. But they do need a stable base of income and benefits that he called “hygiene factors.” Take the time to think what conditions will make you feel more secure in your role, including retirement benefits, vacation and weekly hours. Look at the full picture to see how benefits can contribute to a solid foundation at work.  Gather intelligence  ​Is salary firm but vacation time flexible? If you want to learn more about what to negotiate for, talk to some of your contacts to identify what people are negotiating for in compensation packages these days. Although you are negotiating for what you want in a compensation package, it helps to know the territory and what the company considers flexible.  Get creative ​Salary and benefits package are the most popular items to negotiate, but other options may be on the table depending on the culture of the organizations. For instance, some businesses may offer sabbaticals, training and tuition reimbursement, concierge and gym benefits, or a flexible work schedule that includes working longer days for a day off. Consider what’s truly important to you – not what would just be a nice perk – and make the ask.  Have a conversation  ​Negotiations don’t need to be about a take-it-or-leave-it mentality. Rather, you can simply ask if the organization has the capacity to increase their offer if, for example, it came through lower than expected. If the employer is unwilling to move, you can still consider the offer as it stands.  Remember, you’ll never get it if you don’t ask.  ​Remember, you can acknowledge and express genuine appreciation for the job offer without accepting. During the conversation, set a positive tone, request some time to review the offer, and consider your options. The ball is in your court.   

​There’s a rhythm to starting each semester in school.However, making the move from college to the workplace requires a lot of adjustments, including learning acquiring new job skills, managing interactions with colleagues, and learning to balance independent projects with working on a team.Whether you’re adjusting yourself or working with someone new to the workplace, here is a checklist of ways to navigate the transition and make it more manageable.Long term project managementIn college, a big project rarely lasted longer than a semester, and usually were much shorter. But in the workplace, you’re often expected to juggle multiple projects that can last six months, a year or longer. When you’re working on projects of these lengths, set several milestone goals, check in on progress regularly, get feedback, and use the resources of others around you. Set expectationsAt the beginning of the semester, your professor issues a syllabus and devotes the first class to expectations. This not only provides a framework, it helps determine the professor’s teaching style and fit and feel. The same format is just as crucial when starting your role at work. Sit down and communicate face to face – not just over email – so both of you can get a sense of your style, your motivations and expectations.Secure a mentorWhen you’re in university, you can stop by your professor’s office hour or book an appointment with your academic advisor. The same principles of mentorship are just as important in the workplace. But after you graduate, you have to be more proactive about it securing your own mentor. Having a mentor will enable you to learn what employers expect from new grads and you can use the information to make yourself job ready.​After years of being in the school system, it will take new grads time to transition to a different environment. But just as freshmen become seniors, this next generation will mature, learn and grow into their roles. Good luck, graduates!

​Welcome to the era of the millennial workforce. While this generation has been rising up the ranks, a new report from LinkedIn shows that millennials are projected to fare the best in the job market over the coming years.  ​Three-quarters of 2,406 U.S. hiring managers surveyed said they plan to focus recruiting efforts on millennials over the next five years, according to the report. Millennials include those born approximately between the years of 1980s to 1997, which puts them prime into some of their most productive working years.  ​The millennial workforce contributions also make sense in the context of their place in the global market. Millennials and Gen Zers make up roughly half the world’s population as 10,000 baby boomers retire each day, reports USA Today.  ​So what do millennials want? According to ManpowerGroup research, both women and men want flexible, meaningful and challenging work. They understand they have a career ultramarathon ahead of them and want to achieve balance for the long run. For women, to pursue challenging work, it must come with flexibility. They continue to do most of the emotional labor and unpaid work at home – balancing work around commitments.  ​As employers face a continued global skills shortage, millennials share in the following advantages as well as their preferences when seeking to develop their careers.  ​Flexibility in work arrangements  Today’s way of working may not be how tomorrow’s generation operates. According to a ManpowerGroup survey, a growing number of people are opting for alternative models over full-time permanent roles. Part-time, contingent, contract, temporary, freelance, independent contractor, on-demand online are all on the rise. This affords businesses the choice, flexibility and alternative ways of working that build resilience for less predictable futures. Younger millennials, in particular, are seeking out gig work.  Positivity and optimism  According to ManpowerGroup’s Millennial Careers: 2020 Vision report, millennials are remarkably upbeat about their careers. Two-thirds are optimistic about their immediate job prospects. Sixty-two percent are confident that if they lost their main source of income tomorrow they could find equally good or better work within three months. The majority of millennials globally see a promising future and successful careers ahead. They are the can-do, will-do generation.  ​Growing into new roles  Research shows that rather than having one job for life, millennials are focused on continuous skills development. Millennial talent provides organizations with employee traits like learnability and curiosity rather than a narrow set of defined “job skills.” According to Lory Antonucci, M.Ed., GPHR, Executive Talent Management Consultant for ManpowerGroup, while roles may also be actual positions (and someone’s job), they are first and foremost a combination of needed and valued skills, knowledge and outputs. Roles are about adapting to change now and in the future.  ​As we enter a new decade, both employers and job seekers will have to adopt new ways of thinking about careers. With both experience and youth on their side, millennials are in a great position to capitalize and make the most of the 2020s –– on their own terms.

​​If you want to search for a new job but worried that your current employer may find out, here are seven ways to keep your job search under the radar.​Once you let on that you're searching for a job, it won't be long before everyone knows it—even your boss. Learn how to search for a new job in secret with these helpful tips!​Don't post your plans on social mediaIt's easy to tweet or update your Facebook profile, but think twice before doing it. Some companies monitor employees' social media accounts. Even if yours doesn't, a co-worker may see your update and spread the news for you.  Keep LinkedIn settings locked downThe social media rule includes LinkedIn. That doesn't mean you can't use LinkedIn for prospecting, networking and learning about new job opportunities. However, what you don't want to do is unwittingly send a notification to your boss about your job search activities, so turn notifications off before updating your LinkedIn profile. If you update your LinkedIn profile regularly, then it won't be be a red flag to your current employer.  Schedule interviews before or after workDon't risk getting caught by scheduling interviews during work hours, and that includes lunch. You don't want to risk being late getting back to work because your interview went longer than expected or you were held up in traffic.Don't use your work computer or other resources to look for workMost companies monitor computer and network use, so don't use company resources in your job search. That includes the Internet. Using your own phone and computer could also be risky if you're connected through the company network, so use your personal time for job searches.Don't post your resume to online job boardsYour name, your phone number, and your current employer's name all can be detected by Google Alerts. Someone at your company likely subscribes to those keywords. Plus, if your company's HR department is look at job boards, they could find your resume. If you do post, extract your name, phone number, address, and current company name from the resume before posting.Don't dress upIf dressing up isn't something you ordinarily do, doing so now will send a signal that you've got a job interview. Instead, leave extra time before/after your interview to change into your interview attire, then to change back into your everyday work gear. Alternatively, if your corporate dress code allows, start incorporating business professional attire into your daily wardrobe!Ask interviewers for discretionDuring your interview, you can request that the interviewer not contact your current employer until you've accepted their offer. If they ask for references, give them your past employers instead.During a job search, it's important to put your best foot forward to potential employers. These tips keep you safe in your current role, so you can confidently focus on the next step in your professional journey. 

​Any savvy job seeker can readily find excellent information on how to find a new job, but what is somewhat scarcer, are the perspectives of seasoned recruiters whether they are internal to a company or are external vendors working on behalf of a company. Recruiters play an important role in the job search process, as they are often the ones who conduct the first round of employment interviews and may decide whether or not a candidate will get a second interview.​A seasoned recruiter – over 30 years experience – shares her job search tips.​Have a career plan and job search plan.  Write these plans down, execute against them and keep records of what you have done/achieved and what remains to be done.  Set timelines to make sure you achieve your goals.  It is apparent in interviews and conversations when applicants are focused and organized and when they are not.Submit a resume that is specific to the position you are applying for. The days of having one resume that will work for all positions is long gone.  It is all about the match – how your skills, experience and results fit the needs of a particular organization.  It is also necessary to select key words in the posting and put them into your resume.  If you do not, you risk being screened out during the resume review process.Be able to succinctly articulate who you are professionally (“Tell me about yourself.”), how your skills and experience match the needs of the company, and what benefit(s) and value you will bring to a company. Be prepared to give specific examples of the results you have achieved.  Also be prepared to answer questions about your desired career path and how and what you do to stay on top of what is going on in your profession. You can prepare and practice your responses to these questions prior to the interview. Preparation, conciseness, the ability to articulate value, and confident delivery are much more likely to move you forward in the hiring processes.Educate yourself on the companies that you are interested in and applying to.Don’t wait until the last minute to do this. Know the companies backwards and forward, network with people who work there and learn things beyond the companies’ websites. Be able to intelligently and succinctly answer the question, “Tell me what you know about us.” Surprisingly, people struggle with this question and the inability to reasonably respond to this question may screen out an applicant.If you are moving into a new industry, learn as much as you can about it. Be able to articulate to a recruiter if asked what you have learned are the challenges and opportunities of that industry. Be able to discuss how your skills, abilities and experience will bring value and benefit to the industry.Keep in mind that the recruiter/company wants you to be successful in the hiring process. There is work that needs to be done and the company would love for you to be the answer to their prayers. Use this understanding to help you control any nervousness and/or fears during the interview process.Prepare for the interview while you’re applying for the position.You never know when you might get a call for an interview.  There are some pretty standard questions that companies might ask and you can prepare your responses well ahead of an interview.  Being prepared gives confidence and confident candidates do much better in the hiring process than those who are not. Always be positive.  Any negativity will likely be a deal killer.A good rule of thumb is to keep to a 2-minute or less response when answering an interview question.Keep in mind that interviews are scheduled in increments – 30 minutes or an hour for example.  Candidates who take too much time responding to questions may not get through the full list of prepared questions.  This may put them at a disadvantage with their competition.Become social media and technology savvy if you are not.Use social media in your job search. List any social media and relevant technology knowledge and/or experience on your resume.Video interviews are increasing in popularity.Have an account ready so you don’t have to take time to set one up if you are asked to do a video interview. You want to be able to move quickly to demonstrate responsiveness and preparedness and to avoid the perception that you are unfamiliar with or are not tech savvy.Incorporating these 11 tips into your job search strategy will place you leaps and bounds ahead of competing job candidates.

​Expand your job search resources. Access the hidden market. Find a job faster.Experis recruiters are always paid by the employers, not the job candidates.Working with a good recruiter can help you achieve all of these goals and more. A recruiter’s role is to connect job candidates with employers who need specific skills and talents.To do the job well, a recruiter must fully understand the employers’ job requirements. He or she must also understand your qualifications and job desires as the job candidate. Building a healthy relationship with your recruiter is key. Here are some guidelines to help you succeed:Make a great impression.The impression you make on your recruiter is the image that he or she will market to potential employers. Present yourself best by meeting face-to-face, if possible, and dressing professionally. As you work together, treat your recruiter with respect and appreciation. Always stay positive and optimistic.Build your relationship on trust and good communication.Be honest about your qualifications, and crystal clear about all aspects of the job you’d like to find. For example, if you want to limit your commute time or find a flexible work schedule, letting your recruiter know at the start will save you both time and effort.Follow up often.Contact your recruiter immediately after an interview so he or she can relay your impressions to the employer. If you are interviewing on your own or receive a job offer, be sure to keep your recruiter in the loop. He or she can use this information as leverage on your behalf because it shows you are an attractive candidate in today’s job market.Cooperation is critical.Work together and agree on the next steps you will take. Take advantage of your recruiter’s expertise with resumes, interviewing skills and the job search process. You are working as a team for a common goal: your new job.Stay in touch.Continue your relationship with your recruiter throughout your career. Let him or her know when you earn a promotion, enhance your qualifications and accept new positions. That way, your recruiter can keep you in mind for any new job matches that arise. And, you’ll have a valuable resource on your side the next time you hunt for a job.

Based on conversations with a veteran recruiter, below are eleven job search tips that job seekers should consider. They may seem obvious but they are often overlooked.Have your name in your email address: Make it easy for the company or its representatives to find you.State your name in your voicemail greeting: The company or its representatives may be reluctant to leave a voice message if they are unsure they have contacted the right party.Return calls promptly and be patient: Waiting more than 24 hours to return a call from a company or recruiter may send the message that you are not really interested in the position. Also, resist the urge to call the company or recruiter every few hours if you do not get an immediate response to your return call. Keep in mind that individuals can be in meetings, traveling or may be indisposed.Be polite/ be respectful/ be positive/ be professional to everyone you come in contact with during the hiring process: It’s essential to create a positive impression even if you feel wronged in some way by the company, the process or by an individual. Perceived disrespect, unprofessional behavior and/ or negativity in any form can be a deal killer.Be enthusiastic/ show energy/ be confident/ be yourself: Demonstrate through the tone of your voice and your body language that you are excited about the company and the position and that you are confident you have the skills and experience to bring value and results. Be yourself so that when you show up for your first day of work, the company is expecting you, not someone else.Don’t forget that you’re in an interview: Whether the interview is by phone, video or in person, always remember that you are interviewing. Most companies and their representatives strive to put candidates at ease recognizing that the interview process can be nerve wracking. Don’t misread this. Avoid being overly familiar, and/or debating and arguing for your point of view unless invited to do so. Even if invited to debate, use good judgment, be diplomatic and watch body language. If you are invited to lunch, dinner or a reception, again remember that you are in the interviewing process. You are being observed.Prepare and be prepared: Start preparing for the job interview while you are applying for jobs. You never know when you will get a call.• Learn about the companies you have targeted and/ or applied to. At a minimum, read companies’ websites and be prepared to knowledgably and succinctly answer questions like: “Tell me what you know about us.”; “Tell me why you would like to work with us.”; “Tell me what excites you about this position.”• Keep a record of the jobs you have applied for. Remember that the hiring process can be a long one and imagine how the company representative feels when he/she calls to arrange an interview and an applicant doesn’t recognize or remember applying for the position.• Understand how you will answer the question: “What is your current salary and what are your salary expectations?”• Understand how you will succinctly answer the question: “Tell me how you see your skills and experience as fit or match to this position.”Demonstrate agility, organizational strengths and responsiveness from the first contact with a company: For example, have an account for video interviewing and know how to use it before you get a request for a video interview. If you are in fields like marketing and communications, have a portfolio ready to present or pull from should you be asked for samples of your work.Listen: Make sure you are answering the question that is asked and don’t be afraid to ask clarifying questions if you are unsure what the interviewer is looking for. Watch that you do not interrupt the interviewer and jump in with an answer before the interviewer has finished asking the question. Not only may you end up answering the question inappropriately, this may signal to that interviewer, fairly or unfairly, how you operate in a working environment.Don’t hijack the interview: The interview and interview process belongs to the company. Taking charge and running the interview will likely be an unsuccessful strategy.Smile: Smile even if you are talking on the phone. It sets the tone for the interview and immediately creates a good impression.