Forget FOMO aka the fear of missing out that the Oxford Dictionary defines as ‘anxiety that an exciting or interesting event may be happening elsewhere, often aroused by posts seen on a social media website’.
In the workplace, what workers are now really concerned about is FOBO: Fear Of Becoming Obsolete.
According to recent research, FOBO (which has also been used to describe a Fear of Better Options) is a growing concern and not for the reasons you might think or the age profile you might assume.
In the past, younger workers, armed with the latest qualifications and the determination to climb the ranks were, arguably, seen by older colleagues as the biggest threat to their job security and skillset.
But thanks to the explosion of generative AI and its ability to do the tasks usually assigned to those at the start of their careers in entry-level jobs, younger cohorts are also worried about their relevance and longevity.
In fact, 22% said they were worried technology will make their jobs obsolete and university-educated workers are now as concerned about job security as those who haven’t received further education.
Automation is now infiltrating traditional white-collar office-based jobs so it’s not just factory production lines that are increasingly relying on robots over humans to achieve the fastest and most accurate results.
Next steps to battling the fear of being obsolete at work
If you’re feeling insecure in your current position or are worried about how your skills stack up against AI, the first thing to do is perform a career credit check of sorts and critically assess the areas you need to work on.
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If you’re currently employed by a large organisation, you should have learning and development (L&D) courses at your disposal as established HR departments tend to make L&D a priority and facilitate upskilling accordingly to encourage employee retention.
Some companies will even offer upskilling opportunities as part of your benefits package, along with share options and paid parental leave.
However, if you can’t access L&D opportunities at work, don’t despair; there are a number of online resources including Coursera and Udemy that you can access for free, in your own time, to upskill and fill in the gaps on your CV at your discretion.
Hone your soft skills
Staying abreast of the latest advances in your field is critical along with adapting to new software and productivity tools that should make your life easier, no matter what stage you’re at in your career.
Recent data found that among the roles most at risk from AI are tech jobs, such as computer programmers, software engineers and data analysts.
However, if you really want to insulate yourself from being replaced by a robot, honing your soft skills and developing how you handle challenges is essential.
According to The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Future of Jobs Report 2023, analytical thinking is the most important workplace skill for the future, followed by creative thinking and resilience, flexibility and agility.
This is echoed by a separate study which predicts that soft skill-intensive jobs will account for almost two-thirds of all jobs by 2030.
The good news is that you can start improving your soft skills straight away and you don’t necessarily need to avail of prescriptive L&D courses to do so.
For starters, build upon your professional relationships by linking in with your direct line manager and seeing how you can work on your communication skills. This could translate as volunteering yourself for more presentations or leading a video call with colleagues who work remotely.
Next, see how you can apply critical thinking when making decisions throughout the work day and instead of being reactive, start practising a new way of working that requires you to take a step back and analyse, evaluate and conceptualise information before acting upon it.
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The most important thing to remember is that the key to developing a robust set of soft skills lies in taking a holistic approach. Instead of picking and choosing a couple that you identify with most, aim to build upon a set of soft skills that can be used in tandem to resolve any kind of work challenge that comes your way.
However, if you feel like you’ve outgrown the company you’re currently working for and despite your best efforts you’re not progressing professionally, it could be time to start reconsidering your options.
If looking for a new job is one of them, the Metro Job Board is the perfect place to start your search as it features thousands of jobs in companies that are actively hiring across the UK.
In London, Secureworks, a cloud-native cybersecurity analytics platform is seeking an Account Executive to develop long-term client relationships and sell into accounts in assigned regions. Proven solid analytical and problem-solving skills and the ability to maintain effective working team relationships with all departments is essential.
In Belfast, Swissport International AG is hiring a Customer Service Agent-UK to play a vital role in our airport operation and will be responsible for ensuring a positive experience for all passengers between the terminal and the aircraft. In this role you’ll be focussed on delivering exceptional and safe service, have strong personal skills, can be an effective team player and be committed to learning and personal growth.
And in Nottingham, facilities management company EMCOR UK is looking for a Project Manager to deliver individual or multiple projects related to new works within allocated budgets and defined programmes. As such, you’ll be required to prepare specification briefs in consultation with staff, prepare labour plans and update labour trackers.
Looking for the kind of company that will support you throughout your career? Browse The Metro Job Board today
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