Jobs of the Future

There is no doubt our future will be different with greater focus on protecting the environment. Recently much has been covered in the media about protection of natural resources, coping with climate change and reduction of carbon emissions. What has the government, employers, training bodies and employees considered about the impact of these initiatives on Jobs of the Future?

I believe thought also needs to be channelled into considering what this will mean. Let's just imagine changes to the world in these 4 areas: -

Transportation, Buildings, Resources and Services

Transportation: People will be encouraged to travel on public transport, car pool or ride a bicycle to work. Vehicles will rely less on petrol and more on renewable energy resources.

Buildings: Offices, factories, shops, and other places of work, and homes will be made more energy efficient and able to accommodate a reduction in carbon emissions. Existing buildings will need modification to accommodate efficiency with water saving devices, solar/energy panels, heating and cooling appliances. New buildings will be built with different materials and it is likely different materials need a different methodology to errect and maintain.

Resources: New systems for homes and workplaces will be created for conserving energy, maximising water usage and monitoring use of electricity, gas and water. Monitoring output of pollution per household and returning unused energy back into the national grid will be available.

Services: Let's consider the regulatory and compliance side of these changes. There will be new government bodies to introduce and monitor these changes. Advertising to carry the message of the changes. There may be financial impacts of how carbon missions are accounted for and taxed and even traded. There will be a closer regulatory regime introduced.

Jobs of the Future
There is no doubt new jobs will be created, existing jobs will be adjusted and many people will need new skills and training. It makes sense organisations will have different job titles.

• Renewable Resources Manager
• Regulatory Officer for Renewable Resources
• Pollutants and Carbon Emissions Manager
• Taxation Specialist in Renewable Resources and Energy
• Renewable Energy Trader
• Carbon Emissions Minimiser Officer
• Energy Conversions Specialist
• Renewable Energy Assessor
• Environmentally Friendly Building Materials Adviser
• Recycling Water Treatment Specialist

Do you have any suggestions or thoughts about the types of Jobs of the Future?

Sharing your strong opinion in the workplace - is it career limiting?

The question is do you or don't you open your mouth and give your strong opinion in the workplace? Does it depend on the circumstances of the situation, and how delicate are they? Does it depend upon the culture of the organisation? Does it depend upon whether you have an iron stomach to tolerate the repercussions of having an opinion outside of the mainstream thoughts of the organisation you operate in?

Yes, there are lots of questions to ask before you open your mouth. Sometimes intuitively we know the answers before we begin and find ourselves with an opinion contrary to popular thought and decide to press on regardless. We bear the risk of the repercussions which may be small or great depending upon the answers to the questions above.

Having and giving an opinion is certainly a basic entitlement of existence in the free world. In Australia we are fortunate to be able to express our opinions without being taken to a place of incarceration. In the workplace the consequences may vary depending upon the organisation's culture, people you work with, ethics and really how you delivered the opinion. The last point is so important to many. It is not so much what is said but how it is delivered. Is the opinion delivered with respect and kindness and doesn't impinge on other people's entitlement to holding a view? I think absolutely. What do others think about expressing candid views in the workplace?

Why would you search for a new job?

From talking with my friends in the recruitment industry they suggest the 5 key reasons for why people look for a new job are:

1. To earn a bigger salary
2. Have a balance between work and other pursuits in life such as family, hobbies and sport
3. Difficult relationship with their boss
4. Career Development - in some cases climbing the corporate ladder
5. A mismatch of values between self and the culture of an organisation.

Have the reasons really changed over the last 25 years? Certainly we didn't hear 15 years ago a balance between work and life was a reason. Perhaps it was, but it was considered not an appropriate reason to give at a job interview because the applicant feared they wouldn't be taken seriously.

More money has always been a key reason for moving into another role. If you feel you are not being paid your worth it makes sense to do some window shopping to see what the competition is offering and whether they offer the same or bettter conditions. However, do you really say this at an interview and risk the interviewer thinking you are only there for the money.

I think for many of us the reasons why we look for another role are more complex than a single reason alone. It can be built up over time and can start from an innocent exchange with your boss when she didn't listen to your great business idea, compounded by organisational restructures, new work rosters and little investment in training.

What are your views on the reasons why you would search for a new job?

Is it true that in the first 30 seconds an interviewer makes up their mind about a candidate?

Recently a candidate's experience of attending an employment recruitment day with a large international airline was shared with me. Prior to the day candidates were sent information about what to expect so that they could prepare. The day involved a mixture of practical assessments and a panel interview.

The 6 candidates arrived on the day. Candidates had a different backgrounds and experience and also varied in age. Their physical presentation was different. 4 of the candidates wore suits, the fifth tailored trousers and a jacket and tie. The sixth wore tailored jeans and casual jacket. As the day wore on candidates became more comfortable talking with each other and of course the discussion reverted to the employment assessments completed and the company. The candidate wearing tailored jeans asked his colleagues should he have worn a suit. There was a little quiet before one of the candiates rescued the pause and said it didn't really matter as long as he was technically sound and articulate in the interview it really wouldn't make any difference. It was clear from the uncomfortable pause the other candidates thought dressing more formally was appropriate for the situation.

I wonder whether the panel interviewers had the same reaction as the candidates. With a prestigious international airline, reknown for its immaculate presentation of its employeees, was there an underwritten expectation to dress formally for the interview? What do you think?