How can young people prepare for a future job?

How can young people prepare for a future job?

Based on the Eurostat report, in July 2018, more than 3.3 million young people under the age of 25 were unemployed in the EU. However, comparing July 2017 data shows that youth unemployment decreased by 466 000 in the EU. Such promising numbers might raise a question concerning young people and their preparation for future jobs and careers which is an important topic in today's world.

• Developing soft skills is one of the aspects that truly makes even a less experienced individual a valuable member in any company and also helps you stand out from the crowd. Being able to interact efficiently, solve problems and conflicts and having a flexible attitude are just some of the soft skills that are required not only for a future job but for most jobs in the future. Despite all of the technological improvements, people skills, social and emotional intelligence are some of the features that cannot be imitated by machines and devices.
• Starting to prepare for jobs that don’t exist yet is also a great way to be ready for anything that’s coming in the future. Young people should start looking at a learning process in a different way: they ought to become lifelong learners which will help them adapt to completely new jobs and different work environments. Studying STEM subjects is also a way to prepare for this new wave of jobs, as computer and science disciplines, as well as math and technological competence are the things that will help boost innovation and bring up people that will encourage changes and trigger competitiveness and original ideas in the world.
• Embracing social media, computer softwares and keeping up to date with the latest technology in a way prepares young people for whatever is waiting in the future job market and also helps them develop valuable skills. Knowing the current culture, engaging with online networks, trying out new apps and teaching yourself how to use computer programs and various tools are all the different ways of becoming more technologically oriented, more successful and more prepared for the unexpected shifts in jobs landscape.
• Networking and never staying stagnant are quite a valuable abilities in a world that is so focussed on technology and online connections. Such social networking websites as LinkedIn have potential to broaden your horizons and help you connect with various professionals. Specialists that work in a field you’re interested in might be able to either offer you advice or give you some ideas concerning your career path. Even Facebook or Instagram could contribute to you career: nowadays, when being a social media influencer is actually starting to be called a real job and a proper career path, such websites can help you establish your personal brand and let you connect with people that share the same interests. Social networking is not always about getting a job or securing a position at a particular company - it simply makes you more aware of your surroundings, the industry you’re concerned with and overall helps you move forward and keeps you from staying in one place for too long.
• When talking about social networking, it is important to establish the fact that building a proper social media presence is already becoming a priority nowadays. This is really crucial for young people in particular, as they tend to be more reckless and negligent when it comes to their online image. Making a first impression, which determines the way people and potential employers or colleagues view you, is a very real and significant matter these days and will continue to be in the future. Though there are fields that don’t require you to strategically organize all of your social media pages or have an online portfolio, it is still important to keep in mind that you do not want to come off as a unreliable or unpleasant person only due to your social media activity. Besides, although social media has its advantages, it can also be quite detrimental to your social skills, your attention span, as well as your grammar and your leisure time, as it uses up a lot of time and distracts from more productive tasks. That’s why it’s important to stay aware not only of the image you create online, but also of the time and energy it takes away from you.

Staying open minded and being conscious of how the world and human interaction change is first and foremost a thing that helps you prepare for what the future holds. So, make sure you start your job search with the right attitude and approach!