Embracing the Future of Work: How to Prepare Today and Succeed Tomorrow

When it comes to achieving career success, you learned this formula: You finish school, land a job, and then climb the corporate ladder until you retire. It’s simple, reliable, and foolproof—for our parents’ and grandparents’ generation, that is.

These days, adopting this classic approach can easily translate to the opposite of success, especially amidst the massive shifts happening in the working world, not just in Singapore but across the globe. Organisations are restructuring, careers are becoming more fluid, and traditional methods are becoming obsolete, replaced by automation and technology. The pandemic proved the biggest disruptor, too, triggering a wave of changes many employers, talent, and job seekers never saw coming.

Given the way things are going, the only way forward—and upward—is to be prepared for the next chapter, a.k.a. the future of work. The question now is this: How exactly does one do that? And what does it even mean?

Defining the Future of Work

While it sounds like some space-age jargon, the term “future of work” is something that ought to be on everyone’s radar, regardless of your industry or profession. It describes the projection of how work and its related concepts will evolve in the years ahead, primarily influenced by technological, generational, and social shifts.

In case you missed it: The start of the 21st century ushered in the fourth industrial revolution – the current work era – characterised by rapid technological advancement, from the internet and robotisation to artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR). For the past couple of decades, these innovations have been merging the physical, digital, and biological worlds, massively impacting how people work and how they live their lives.

And then came the pandemic in 2020, which accelerated – and redefined – how current and future work looks. As offices closed down and businesses turned to remote working and virtual processes, the system changed quickly, whether workers were ready or not. It was a wake-up call, too – one that underscored the need for agility in the face of disruption. As a result, more leaders and workers have learned to embrace novel ways of working in preparation for the future.

But what can you expect in the next chapter? Here, we’ve listed some key trends that are shaping the new normal in the workplace:

More flexible work arrangements

In the wake of the Great Resignation and the “ quiet quitting ” phenomena, companies have recognised a shift in workers’ preferences and priorities concerning their jobs – punctuated by a general reluctance to return to the office. In response, more businesses are now offering full-time remote and hybrid work options, with some even scrapping onsite reporting completely.

Continuous shift to virtual systems and processes

To complement the growing virtual workforce, employers are shifting from traditional processes (i.e. face-to-face onboarding, manual paperwork) to virtual or remote alternatives aided by digital tools. It’s become a necessity, too, even for companies who cannot go remote – a technology-powered fallback, so to speak.

A shift to skills-based hiring

While your degree and experience remain significant, they no longer guarantee you get the job. Many hirers are removing standard credentials from their hiring criteria in favour of skills, especially now that innovation can make someone’s current expertise outdated in just a few short years. In fact, according to research, today’s skills generally have a “half-life” of about five years, while more technical skills have just around two and a half years.

The rise of hybrid roles

The rise of tech may have brought about a lot of automation, but it also gave birth to many hybrid professions. Whereas technical functions like data analysis and programming used to be the domain of ‘experts,’ recent developments have made them more accessible to everyone—allowing more people to take on more multifaceted positions.

A more worker-first approach

As companies scramble to compete for top talent in the new normal, many have adopted a more worker-centred strategy, such as increasing wages, improving benefits, and rolling out employee assistance programs in a bid to stay relevant in the competitive job market.

Company restructuring for efficiency

Many companies have had to rethink their business models and restructure for relevance and efficiency, especially after suffering massive losses during the height of the pandemic. While this strategy has undoubtedly resulted in job cuts, it also spotlighted indispensable roles and paved the way for more future-ready schemes.

Why You Need to Be Future-Fit

Given the many changes in the employment landscape, it’s only logical for workers to adapt and pivot – lest they be left behind. As history shows, there’s no going back to how things were. To succeed, workers need to embrace the fact that change is inevitable and then arm themselves with the necessary skills and tools to survive and thrive.

But how does one navigate a constantly evolving environment? Take stock of these tangible steps so you can be future-ready now.

How to Prepare for the Future of Work

1. Prioritise skill-building.

By the year 2030, it’s estimated that about 45 million workers will lose their jobs to automation – and that’s just in the U.S. And it’s already happening: Workers around the globe are being replaced by machines, bots, software, you name it. It is imperative for today’s employees to upskill and re-skill to stay relevant and irreplaceable.

Of course, it’s also crucial that you choose the right skills to learn and relearn. Digital skills are in high demand nowadays, from technical computer know-how to web and social media proficiencies. Choose the skills that align best with your company's interests and goals, and start building from there. (Also read: The Top Must-Have Skills of the Future You Need to Learn Today.)

2. Be open to hybrid arrangements.

These days, job titles are becoming less traditional and more dynamic, with modern roles like “innovation consultant” or “experience architect” emerging in various fields. Companies are no longer looking for “basic” employees; they’re scouting candidates who can excel in hybrid professions, a.k.a. roles that combine traditional functions with more technical or targeted expertise.

If you’re stuck in a traditional job title (for example, copywriter), you can talk to your employer about expanding your duties. Or, learn from a co-worker or mentor (i.e. a digital marker) while still fulfilling your regular tasks. Another way to go about this is to identify a gap in your workplace or team and assess if it’s something you can do and would like to do in addition to your current role. Talk to your manager about it and see where it takes you.

3. Embrace digital innovation.

Not being a techie can be considered a mortal sin nowadays, especially if you work in a digital-first or tech-driven workplace. Even if you prefer traditional methods, keep an open mind when trying new technology and be more willing to accept innovative solutions. More than 75 per cent of workers employed at automated businesses say that new technology has made their jobs easier, says a recent study, and you might be surprised at how much it can help you, too.

Moreover, take advantage of how technology can improve collaboration and teamwork. Aside from improving your work processes, having a working knowledge of digital collaboration tools, such as Slack, Trello, and Google Workspace, is fast becoming a prerequisite in most industries.

4. Invest in your creative capacity,

Computers and robots may be fast and efficient, but they can’t replicate creativity. The bigger your creative capacity, the more value you add to the company, making you highly unlikely to be automated out of a job. So take the time and space to nurture your creative skills: Join workshops, take classes, and engage in out-of-the-box activities. It will pay off in the future.

While much is still unknown about the future of work, here’s a comforting truth: You hold more agency in this revolution than you may think. The key is to look forward with readiness and optimism – forget scepticism and fear – and start acting now instead of waiting for tomorrow to begin.

Check out our Career Resources page or download JobStreet’s app available on the App Store and Google Play for more tips that can guide you in navigating your career. It also offers expert insights and advice that could help you manage your mental health and well-being in the workplace.