Jobs in the future, Ngā mahi hei āpōpō
Updated 25 Mar 2024
Do you worry that your perfect job will be stolen by a robot? Here are 5 ways to future-proof your career and make the most of being human.
1
Keep learningMe ako tonu atu,
The human brain is fantastic and will keep learning long after you leave school. You’ll learn a lot just through living and working, but most people’s brains have space for more. Keep your brain busy by learning new skills and exploring new ideas. You can choose a study or training course, or just read about and watch things that interest you.
You can add to your knowledge and skills through:
- Online and distance learning
- Tertiary study and training
- Workplace learning
- Short courses and micro-credentials
- Reading and watching videos.
2
Improve your people skillsWhakapaitia ō pūkenga whakawhitiwhiti,
People skills are hard to measure with a test or qualification but being good at them makes you a highly valued team member or leader. These skills are also known as ‘employability skills’ because employers want people who have them, and ‘transferable skills’ because you can use them in any job you move into.
Examples of people skills are:
- Communication – explaining information and understanding other people
- Problem solving – breaking down a problem into parts and working out a solution
- Initiative – being self-motivated and not waiting to be told what to do
- Organisation – planning work to make sure you can get it done on time
- Teamwork – working well with people with different backgrounds and abilities
- Ability to learn – being enthusiastic and curious, like finding out how to do things better.
People skills make us different from computers and robots. These are the skills employers will continue to look for and value.
3
Learn about different cultures and languagesAko mō ngā ahurea me ngā reo kē,
The internet connects us easily to people all around the world. You could get a job working with a company based anywhere, or have clients living in different cultures or time zones. Knowing even a few words in other languages can be useful. It also shows you’re interested in different cultures, have respect for people and are open to doing things differently.
4
Prepare for remote and flexible workingKia takatū mō te mahi mamao me te ngāwari,
Remote working means doing your job anywhere instead of going into the same workplace as all your colleagues. There are lots of jobs you can do remotely from home, a café or a co-working space with a laptop and internet connection.
Flexible working means you might work in different places or at different times each day, depending on what suits you and your employer. The focus may be on getting your work done rather than working for a certain number of hours each day.
Remote and flexible ways of working are becoming normal. Employers may prefer job applicants who are happy to work this way. If you like remote and flexible working, ask about the options in job interviews. Employers will be more willing to offer them if it means they get the staff they want.
5
Be ready for fewer full-time jobsKia rite mō te aramahi e iti ake ai ngā mahi wā tūturu,
In the past, lots of people worked in the same job for 8 hours a day for many years. But in the future, work will be more varied and is likely to involve:
- part-time hours
- temporary and fixed-term jobs
- freelance and contract work.
Already more people are choosing to mix the ways they work, like having a part-time job and also doing freelance work. This can make their work life more interesting and varied.
To make sure you always have enough work, it helps to learn new skills and keep up with technology. It’s also a good idea to save some money for the times you don’t have full-time work.