I recently posted a video to TikTok that got some attention. As a career counsellor I was feeling a little "fired up" that day after hearing the same sentiment over and over from all sorts of people--from my dentist to some of my friends. I'm sure you've heard it too. It's that thought that the younger generations or people in general don't want to work anymore. Some go so far as to claim people are entitled, aren't willing to work hard, and are in for a world of pain when they hit the "real" world.
As I said, there was a big response to my video which doesn't surprise me because as someone who coaches people on all things career, I see and hear the frustration from people. I hear how we're told we should go about finding work, how we're treated at work, and what we actually want from our work.
I believe we're hard wired for contribution. Not only because we fear being "kicked out of the group" but because we are all programmed to some degree to be generous and nurturing.
What I Know to be True
People want to contribute. But they also want to feel seen, heard, respected, and valued for the work they do. This hasn't been the way things have been going down out there for a long time. At least that's what I've been hearing.
I also believe it is true that we don't want to work anymore if it means working for someone who doesn't care about people.
Nobody wants to work for companies who don't see them as a human beings during the hiring process.
Nobody wants to work for managers who take advantage of them.
Nobody wants to work for abusive micromanagers anymore.
Nobody wants to work for managers who won't let them take vacation they've accrued when they want or need to without a highly mission-critical reason.
Nobody wants to work for a bully.
Nobody wants to work for a company that cares more about an employee's results than an employee's well-being anymore.
At this moment, it's not only about the workforce selling employers on why they should be hired.
It's not only about worker's proving themselves to employers.
It's not about employees agreeing to do things that serve no real meaningful purpose at all costs anymore.
People are tired, people are burnt out. People are tired of feeling overlooked, under appreciated, and taken for granted. People are owning their skills and their qualifications, and their expertise. They're not willing to tolerate poor treatment at work anymore.
People are realizing they don't have anything to prove. That they are worthwhile because they exist not only because of what they can contribute to somebody else's bottom line.
Companies that put people first are also winning. They see increased loyalty, performance, productivity, and customer service.
It doesn't take much to care.
A living wage, a respect for human rights, physical, emotional, and psychological safety, adequate resources, autonomy, flexibility, paid time off (that they can actually take), an understanding that employees are people with families and lives and interests outside of work.
It doesn't take much to care.
Personal Responsibility
It's also true that as individuals we have certain responsibilities. It's up to us to learn to set and enforce our own boundaries. We must learn how to not rely only on the validation of others for our survival. Of course it's important that when we're hired to do a job we hold up our end of the commitment. Of course we understand that an employer will have certain expectations of us. They are paying us to do a job.
Let's be clear though. The undercurrent of employers telling workers "do what I say or you can find another job" has been felt for years even if it isn't being spoken out loud. Even if the last couple of years employees have felt a little more empowered to speak up or move on from what they view as poor working conditions, individuals don't hold the bargaining power. Employees are mostly seen as replaceable. If we make a hasty exit from a bad employment situation, it's likely us that suffers. We need to be able to feed our families and pay our bills. It's usually not so easy to just walk away.
I hope things are changing. I love seeing worker's standing up for fair and equitable treatment in the workplace and I hope companies are listening.
My kudos to the Generation Z's and the folks from the generations before them who are bringing some much needed new perspectives to the work landscape. We've been hearing for years that most of the careers the newer generations will be working in don't even exist yet. It makes sense that the older folks are having trouble understanding some of the new approaches to work. Maybe they aren't meant to?
Advances in Technology
Take a moment to think about how much the career landscape has evolved even from just 10 years ago. Besides just making me feel really old, technology is fundamentally changing the nature of many jobs. Very few of us even bat at eye at self-checkouts or remote work anymore. We are seeing jobs approaching obsoletion or nearly so but we're also seeing some new and interesting fields that are slowly emerging as highly coveted, lucrative career goldmines.
Here are 5 truths about the modern career path and how it's evolved over the course of the past decade.
1. Flexible/remote work
Most often clients tell me that part of what they crave in their work is flexibility. The option of (at least occasionally) being able to work remotely and have a bit of control over the structure of their day.
We've learned during the last few years that this type of work environment is a possibility for many careers. However, the trend hasn't been embraced by everybody. Even though I hear clients saying they'd even be willing to take a slight pay cut to make this a reality, not all employers embrace it. If this is something you prioritize for your work, the good news is sometimes all you have to do is ask. Figure out how you could make this work and be prepared to prove that it can. Employers, it can pay to listen to what your people want when it comes to the way their work is structured.
2. Tech-focused jobs can turn an industry that used to be seen as dull into something cutting-edge.
Ten years ago, the idea of a career in "data migration analysis" wouldn't have sounded very interesting to anyone but a very small, technology-forward few. Today, things have changed and everything is about data. Marketing, computer science, medicine, finance--it's the name of the game. Of course, sustainability is critically important to every industry, meaning things continue to look up for professionals drawn to all things environment-related. Companies ranging from large corporations to small businesses — in essentially every industry imaginable — are seeking to reap the rewards of minimizing their footprint to become more socially and financially responsible.
3. Less emphasis on bums in seats and more on productivity.
More and more, today's workplaces are FINALLY emphasizing the quality of work produced, rather than just the number of hours of face-time an employee puts in. This makes my heart sing as I'm a big believer that life is too short to be a clock-watcher. There are a few good studies that support the fact that people who are judged on the quality of work they produce, as opposed to just the number of hours they clock tend to be much more productive anyhow. This fits in with the trend of more flexible work options. Okay, also this: open floor plans and co-working places. As an introvert who values quiet time to think, reflect, and work, I'm not a fan of open floor plan offices. From what I understand, many of these updates to the traditional workplace were initially directed toward millennial employees, who tended to favour collaborative work environments. These backdrops tend to work best for folks who value personal learning and development as the number one priority when selecting a career and believe that is better done in person. That being said, I know there are many millennials and people in general who think open floor workspaces are the pits. Of course, there are folks who like to work with people in close proximity no matter their generation even if it is on a part-time basis. The point is, why not at least attempt to accommodate peoples' preferences if it means a happier, more productive workforce?
4. Advanced education is being completing overhauled.
Yes, so the availability of high quality online learning and resources are fundamentally changing advanced education. The way we learn is virtually unrecognizable from when I was in university (ahem...has it really been over 20 years!?) Of course, the trend of being a life long learner is increasingly common in today's digitally driven society. While heading back to school to get an advanced degree after the age of 40 used to mean becoming a bit of a social misfit in a traditional university atmosphere, today's online resources have made that mindset a thing of the past. Many online programs stem from extremely reputable universities and organizations and can provide as quality an education as one obtained in a classroom.
Whether you're seeking a mid-life pivot, hoping to pick up a new skill in order to advance to the next pay grade or making a complete about-face in your career, looking into online courses and programs — even free ones can pay off in spades.
5. STEM and data-driven jobs are still hot and can offer highly lucrative career paths.
Tech and big data have become a part of job descriptions from entry-level all the way to senior management in most industries you can name. It's no secret that having technical skills in programming, data analysis, dev and design, engineering, etc. can pave the way for the career of your dreams — perhaps even that coveted job that you can perform from the comfort of your bed. Virtually every industry willing to innovate and adapt will be touched (or punched in the face, if they’re slow to respond) by change and growth across all STEM fields. If you're a Baby Boomer, or a Gen Xer (like me), don't let all of this news freak you out. Even if you think you aren't the most tech-savvy, there is still a place for you in our rapidly evolving economy and career landscape. The opportunities are endless and even a lot of fun! I'll be talking more about this in my upcoming article 3 Small Steps to Take When You're 50ish and Need to Change Careers.
We know change is here to stay and I'm here to help you get better at it!
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Sarah took the Make Work Better quiz and said this:
“Christine! I wanted to say thanks. I completed the quiz and then it clicked: I don't feel my contributions are recognized or valued by my employer. Time to have a tough conversation and make some decisions. Thanks for the nudge.”
Kim, a one on one coaching client had this to say about working with me:
I followed Christine on social media for quite some time before I reached out so I felt confident that she was the right coach for me. I’d recommend her coaching for anyone who feels stuck in their career and doesn’t quite know where to begin – anyone looking for accountability and motivation to change. Working with Christine led to a huge shift in my thinking about the level of power I have over my personal contentment. What I liked best about working with Christine was that I felt safe – she is genuine, honest and supportive – so I was able to be vulnerable and easily share what I needed in order to move forward. Her constant reassurance that it’s okay to continue exploring, shifting and changing as I grow was invaluable for my piece of mind. Most importantly, Christine believed in me when I had trouble believing in myself. She helped me truly internalize that no matter what obstacles and challenges arise, I can persevere and continue moving forward.
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career coach Hamilton career counsellor Hamilton 21 King Street West.
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