What do you do if your career goals don't match up with future industry trends?

Encourage clients to conduct a thorough analysis of their industry's current trends and future trajectory. For example, a marketing professional specializing in traditional print media might discover a decline in print advertising and an increasing demand for digital marketing strategies. This analysis reveals a potential gap between their current skillset and industry needs. Identify the specific skills and knowledge required for emerging roles within the industry. For example, the marketing professional realizes a need for proficiency in data analytics and social media marketing to adapt to the digital landscape. This assessment highlights the specific skills they need to acquire to align their career with industry trends.

If your career goals don't align with future industry trends, consider adapting by identifying transferable skills and exploring how they can be applied in emerging fields. Stay informed about industry changes, seek additional training or education, and be open to adjusting your goals to align with new opportunities. Networking with professionals in trending industries can also provide insights and guidance to help you navigate this transition.

If your career goals don't align with future industry trends, it's essential to reassess and potentially pivot your goals to align with emerging opportunities or consider transitioning to a field that better matches your aspirations and market demand. Flexibility and ongoing learning are key to adapting to changing industry landscapes.

Make a career roadmap by first reviewing what path people have taken that are 10-15 years further along in their careers. For example, if you want to become a VP of Product Management, look up those people on LinkedIn to see what job titles they had leading up to that. Strike up some conversations with them to ask for guidance and direction.

Lo que suelo recomendar es hacer una evaluación del potencial de la persona. Una vez que reconoces todos los talentos y habilidades, así como tus fortalezas y debilidades, puedes adquirir nuevos conocimientos que te permitan hacer esa transición de la manera más efectiva posible.

When your career goals diverge from future industry trends, focus on updating your skills to stay relevant. Identify emerging skills and technologies in your field and invest in training or certifications to bridge the gap. Network with industry peers to gain insights and guidance on navigating the shift. Embrace continuous learning as a strategy to align your career goals with evolving industry demands. Remember, staying current ensures your skills remain valuable and adaptable in changing times.

In a rapidly changing job market, continuous skill updating is crucial. If your career goals seem out of sync with industry trends, seek training and education opportunities to bridge the gap. This could involve online courses, workshops, or pursuing certifications that are in demand. Enhancing your abilities enhances your adaptability and value to prospective employers, ensuring you stay competitive and aligned with evolving industry needs.

If you are interested in a field, you need to stay updated with the trend to stay relevant. There is competition out there, but you must also stay true to yourself. If you realise it's taking a turn that you don't like, there will always be something out there for you to enjoy. You're not done.

Remaining a student of your current industry and industries of interest is a key driver in longevity and advancement. Study the trends of the industry/role, if this is an area you wish to remain: take advantage of LinkedIn Learnings, employer offered trainings, workshops, panels etc. Review and seek out the skills incubators for your industry, taking advantage early on. Your goal should be to have a toolkit of skills/experience (both core and technical) that can allow for agility. Network with folks in your company, network with folks in your industry and outside of your industry to stay on top of trends in the market. Be IN the conversation relative to re-skilling, don't simply let the conversation happen around you.

Once you've identified abilities that are relevant to future trends, invest in yourself by learning new skills or improving existing ones. This could include taking courses, attending workshops, getting certificates, or even pursuing additional education.

Networking smartly is crucial when your career goals don't align with future industry trends. Connect with professionals who have successfully navigated similar changes to gain valuable insights and strategies. Participate in industry events and online communities to expand your network. Leveraging these connections can reveal new opportunities and help you adjust your career path to better align with industry developments.

Expand your professional network to include people from fields or industries that interest you. Networking can provide valuable insights into market trends, potential job vacancies, and transition guidance.

Building a strong professional network is crucial, especially when realigning career goals. Connect with individuals who have achieved where you aspire to be or have successfully navigated similar transitions. Their insights can guide effective career adjustments. Networking also opens doors to new opportunities that better align with industry trends, helping you stay adaptable and informed in a dynamic job market.

Speak with people who made the move towards where the trend is turning. Maybe you don't have enough knowledge of this trend, so you're a bit scared of it, but someone can provide reassuring insights. Like a compliance manager specialising in crypto regulations, for example.

Intentional curiosity is incredibly vital in our careers. This applies to networking; first begin with a self analysis on skill(s), career aspirations, goals and industries of interest. Once completed, start with your internal network (ERGs, work, student groups etc.,) connecting with individuals that are either where you'd like to be, headed in that direction or have a skill(s)/title that you'd like to achieve. Once you've analyzed your internal network, go external: begin with a quick LinkedIn search based on title/skill/location etc., and be intentional with your outreach and transparently state your "WHY." Do not shy away from networking hours, conferences, panels etc., but ensure that the audience aligns to your goals/aspirations.

Guide clients in exploring alternative career paths that use their existing skills by considering adjacent industries or exploring different roles within the current industry. For example, a marketing professional might consider transitioning into content marketing or marketing automation roles, which align with their existing communication and data analysis skills. Help clients identify transferable skills that can be applied to different industries or roles to expand their career options & increase adaptability to changing market demands. For example, the marketing professional might realize their strong communication and project management skills are transferable to roles in public relations or event management.

As mentioned above, we must take a skills-based approach in this climate. Complete an accurate skills self-assessment (self and peer reviewed.) Once completed, begin searching where your current skills are supported AND your skills 'wants' can be fulfilled. Skills-based career discovery confirms movement towards advancement, not simply by title or industry, but by opportunity. This might mean the industry/title you once sought will shift, that is okay. Skills-based intention allows for agility, applying core/technical skills regardless of industry. Challenging your 'title' comfort zone, opens you up to your skills possibilities. Be mindful that pivoting is easier when you know what you have to offer and how to articulate it.

Sometimes, when career goals and industry trends diverge significantly, a more substantial change is necessary. Explore alternative career paths that align with your interests and leverage your skills in a different but growing field. This could mean transitioning laterally into a related field or even making a complete career change. The key is to remain open to new possibilities that can provide long-term stability and satisfaction. Flexibility and proactive exploration can lead to finding a career path that better matches your evolving goals and the changing landscape of industries.

Facing reality is important. And having an open mind is fundamental. Sometimes people limit themselves to one industry, or way position, but thinking about competencies and skills and where they can be valuable will help to draw a new map of oportunities.

Guide clients in setting SMART goals aligned with their desired career path to provide a clear roadmap for skill development & career advancement. Let's say a marketing professional sets a SMART goal to obtain a certification in social media marketing within the next 6 months. This involves researching certification programs, creating a study plan & setting specific deadlines for completing coursework. Create an action plan outlining the steps required to achieve the client's goals. For example, the marketing professional develops an action plan that includes attending industry conferences, joining online marketing communities, and updating their resume and LinkedIn profile to highlight their social media marketing skills.

Adapt Your Goals Flexible Planning: Be open to adjusting your career goals based on new information and opportunities. Flexibility can help you stay relevant and motivated. Short-Term Objectives: Set short-term objectives that align with both your interests and industry trends. This can provide direction while allowing for adjustments over time.

As you align your career with industry trends, it's crucial to set realistic, achievable goals. Break down larger objectives into smaller, actionable steps that you can tackle over time. This approach helps maintain motivation and provides a clear roadmap for progress. Remember, career success is a marathon, not a sprint, requiring patience and perseverance. By consistently moving forward with deliberate actions, you can navigate industry changes effectively and steadily advance towards your career aspirations.

Change is the only constant in life, especially true in the world of work. Embrace flexibility as a core principle of career development. Be willing to reassess and adjust your goals as industry trends evolve. Staying flexible enables you to navigate changes confidently, ensuring your career remains dynamic and future-focused. By adapting proactively, you can seize new opportunities and stay resilient amidst evolving professional landscapes.

At the end of the day, you're the one who will need to live with your career choices. I would recommend listening to the trend and doing what feels right for you. Don't force a move that doesn't feel ok.

Consider talking to a professional counselor or coach who specializes in career changes. They may offer personalized advice, assist you in clarifying your objectives, and create a strategy plan.