Boomers Retire - A Brave New Work World -

Boomers Retire - A Brave New Work World - Tammy Erickson of Harvard Business Online recently wrote about the changes that may be coming as a result of baby boomers reaching retirement age.   Ive written about how the workplace may need to become more flexible to avoid the brain drain that would occur as more mature and experienced workers leave their companies.   Ericksons prediction goes beyond suggesting the employers will offer flexible jobs: Over the next several decades, as more sectors face the looming talent shortage, there will be a rapid increase in the number of people who work in cyclical or project-based arrangementsmany with no fixed affiliation to one corporation. Its even possible that project-based work will become the norm in several decadeswith most workers operating as what some have called intellectual mercenaries assembled by project, as needed. Essentially, these cyclical workers are what might today be called contractorsThey come in to do a job, get the work done and leave. Imagine if our workforce really adjusted to this type of scenario.   Many workers would be like cogs in an ever spinning wheel.   Benefits could go by the wayside, as only a select group of essential workers would be considered full time employees.   Presumably, some permanent jobs may be lost, but many would benefit from the flexible arrangements.   Erickson suggests that this workplace may be decades in the future.   Its difficult enough planning for next months workplace, let alone for something that may happen 10 years down the road.   However, the suggestions she makes to prepare seem timely and  well suited to anyone in todays workforce who hopes to influence their own career path. In summary, Erickson suggests: Building and maintaining your professional network. Understand your skills and talents and where they can be put to use. Keep current on research and thinking in your field. Keep licenses and certifications up to date. Maintain a home office as a launching pad for marketing and selling your skills as well as maintaining records of billable hours. Dont become so immersed in the here and now that you forget to take time to consider planning for the next thing. This last point strikes me as particularly important.   In any changing or volatile work environment, dont let yourself get so caught up in getting through the week that you forget that another Monday is just around the weekend.   We could all benefit by more involved planning and efforts on our own behalf to ensure that we are really driving our own career bus. Keppie Careers will help you drive your own career bus.