Micro-careers: The Way of the Future
10 April 2015
Read by 3073 persons
Consider this: careers are becoming less and less linear.
In this age of new technologies, continuing education, and dwindling RRSPs, many are choosing to forge their own path by hopping from job to job, and field to field. But where do we draw the line between career challenge and unfair instability?
Years ago, a career was defined as something stable, where one evolves long-term while accessing job security that allows one to support a family. Maxime Chouinard, an organizational development advisor at the human resources consulting firm HDO, confirms that things have changed. "Stability is increasingly nonexistent in the job market. So, many are saying that they will create their own security by building a career off the beaten path," he explains.
How? According to Maxime Chouinard, the best job security one can give oneself is to develop one's skills. To do this, all means are good: changing jobs as opportunities arise, making the leap into a related field, taking supplementary courses, etc.
But will frequently changing jobs be perceived negatively on a resume? "Not necessarily," says the development advisor. "Certainly, 10-15 closely related jobs isn't ideal. Just as it will be poorly viewed to hold the exact same position in 5 different companies," he specifies. In short, as long as the job changes are aimed at taking on new tasks, climbing the ladder, or developing professionally, there's no need to worry!
Not only is there no need to worry, but it's even recommended: experts agree that it's the variety of work experiences that allows individuals to know themselves and develop more quickly. In any case, the phenomenon of micro-careers is now unavoidable. "People who studied in one field and then held a position in that field throughout their career, that's less and less the norm," says Maxime Chouinard. People are now looking to feel competent, to explore all their capabilities. Obviously, you need a somewhat bold personality type to dare to build a career in this way. "Certainly, a taste for challenge must be present, but above all, it takes someone who wants to truly know themselves and listen," believes the advisor.
With a game plan, even the most timid can embark on the adventure!
Takwa Souissi.
Workopolis.com
Published April 7, 2015.
Posted online April 10, 2015.
In this age of new technologies, continuing education, and dwindling RRSPs, many are choosing to forge their own path by hopping from job to job, and field to field. But where do we draw the line between career challenge and unfair instability?
Years ago, a career was defined as something stable, where one evolves long-term while accessing job security that allows one to support a family. Maxime Chouinard, an organizational development advisor at the human resources consulting firm HDO, confirms that things have changed. "Stability is increasingly nonexistent in the job market. So, many are saying that they will create their own security by building a career off the beaten path," he explains.
How? According to Maxime Chouinard, the best job security one can give oneself is to develop one's skills. To do this, all means are good: changing jobs as opportunities arise, making the leap into a related field, taking supplementary courses, etc.
But will frequently changing jobs be perceived negatively on a resume? "Not necessarily," says the development advisor. "Certainly, 10-15 closely related jobs isn't ideal. Just as it will be poorly viewed to hold the exact same position in 5 different companies," he specifies. In short, as long as the job changes are aimed at taking on new tasks, climbing the ladder, or developing professionally, there's no need to worry!
Not only is there no need to worry, but it's even recommended: experts agree that it's the variety of work experiences that allows individuals to know themselves and develop more quickly. In any case, the phenomenon of micro-careers is now unavoidable. "People who studied in one field and then held a position in that field throughout their career, that's less and less the norm," says Maxime Chouinard. People are now looking to feel competent, to explore all their capabilities. Obviously, you need a somewhat bold personality type to dare to build a career in this way. "Certainly, a taste for challenge must be present, but above all, it takes someone who wants to truly know themselves and listen," believes the advisor.
With a game plan, even the most timid can embark on the adventure!
Takwa Souissi.
Workopolis.com
Published April 7, 2015.
Posted online April 10, 2015.
