Re-Entering the Workplace After Separation

Dealing with a separation can be a challenging time. If you are preparing to re-enter the workplace after a number of years away from work, you will want to make well-informed choices about the career path to pursue.

With the ever-changing state of jobs and the uncertainty that advancements in technology have brought to many fields, it can be difficult to know what career avenue will be best for you following a separation.

A recent article in the Courier Mail’s “QWEEKEND” (12-13 November 2016) referred to a report conducted by the global consulting firm, PwC, indicating that over the next 20 years, 44 per cent of Australian jobs are at risk of disappearing. These harrowing figures are connected to advancements in technology. But it’s not the first-time workers have been hurt by technological advancements. When machinery took over manufacturing factories for mass production, countless jobs ceased to exist. Australian workers again face this threat of job redundancy by computers and technology that are increasingly able to fulfil roles that people previous held.

So, what does this mean for you as a current job seeker?

Although certain professions may begin to crumble away where technology offers a more efficient approach, there is a silver lining: technology is also a great producer of jobs. The internet has made it easier for individuals to create their own brand and ideas, and sell it to the world. We have seen this in the launch of countless bloggers, social media sites and online magazines.

The idea of launching your own business over the internet may sound daunting. You may be surprised though, if you stop and think into your own life experience, just how many great ideas you have that could flourish in your own business. If you’re looking to re-enter the workforce after a separation, an exciting fresh start might be just what you need.

Having your own business though is not for everyone. But whether in a business of your own or as an employee, according to Jan Owen (chief executive of Foundation for Young Australians) and Peter Coaldrake (QUT vice-chancellor), there are a number of skillsets that you will need to help keep you safe during this technological storm.

You will need to be willing to develop multiple careers over your working life. It may be that you look at one or more part time roles. The key will be to develop and enhance qualities of creativity, agility, resilience and adaptability. Owen’s predicts that traditional entry-level jobs will disappear due to automation but that the rise of digital platforms will see us more and more working remotely in our careers.

In order to find a sustainable career path that will be resilient against the advancements of technology down the track, you will need to adapt and upgrade your skills on an ongoing basis. By continually looking to the future trends of technology and being able to offer a range of transferable skillsets, you will put yourself ahead in the workplace.