The Future of Work: Flexibility and Options are on the Rise
Economic upheaval of recent years has dramatically changed the American workforce. Companies of all sizes have had to reduce staff, figure out how to do more with less and become more creative than ever in how they use their people to get work done. For the job-seeker, these shifts mean opportunity.
As companies grow and rebuild, many are considering options beyond the traditional fulltime 40-hour per week employee. The trend we're seeing has companies maintaining core fulltime staff in critical positions (i.e. their product or service), while supplementing with contingent workers to handle additional work and non-core functions. Each business has to consider a variety of factors to determine what is right for them, but mainly it comes down to a recognizable cost savings and a higher level of flexibility.
For example, if our company is an architecture firm, we would employ a core team of architects to do the work because that is the business we're in—controlling the end product of quality architectural work is critical. But there are many other functions that go into running the business including Human Resources, Accounting, IT, Marketing, Sales and Customer Service. Perhaps we don't need fulltime employees to fill each of those roles. And when we get really busy and our architect team needs help, we might not want to hire additional fulltime staff knowing that we would likely lay them off after the project is over.
Enter a wide range of non-fulltime options: temporary staff, project-oriented assignments, flexible schedules, part-time or shared positions, telecommuting, compressed workweeks, and outsourced functions. Even though these are non-core or temporary functions, they are still essential positions where it's important to have effective, qualified people in place. Companies may be willing to consider a different schedule or worksite, but they are not willing to compromise on the quality of the work.
So, what does this mean for job-seekers? With the driving forces of economy and technology, our workforce and workplace of the future will be much more flexible and varied. Work will take many forms, and be found in many places. When looking for your next opportunity, consider options beyond the traditional fulltime position.
Connect with staffing firms who may be filling those flexible and temporary positions. If you are seeking a fulltime position, look for companies whose core business is what you do, or companies that other firms outsource your function to. Overall, be flexible and open to considering options beyond the traditional fulltime position, both for what it can do for you now and for where it can take you in the future.
This article may be reprinted when the copyright and author bio are included. ©2010 Kristen Harris, Portfolio Creative, LLC.
Kristen Harris is co-founder and owner of Portfolio Creative, a workforce innovation firm that was named the 326th fastest growing company in the U.S. by Inc. magazine in 2009. Portfolio Creative helps companies streamline and innovate their creative work to save time, energy and money. www.portfolioiscreative.com.
Questions and Answers
Remember is that currently there are a lot of other people out of work. It's a small comfort, but you are not alone. You have not been singled out. It is an unfortunate change in our economy that many people have been caught up in. Which means that when a job is posted the company will get bombarded with hundreds of resumes. In that pile is you, along with all of the other very qualified people. It's possible this might be a long process, so why not learn how to make the most of it?
We've talked before about using social media in your job search, and while this maybe second nature to some, many of you are still baffled and bewildered by it. So this is our quick-yet-in-depth guide to using social media in your job search.
As head of a job placement firm, I've seen a lot of do's and don'ts when it comes to finding a job. Networking, while a powerful strategy for landing a new career opportunity, can be done in such a way that it limits your chances rather than expands them. Here are five of the most common networking blunders and some strategies to correct them.
Whether it's a New Year's resolution, rebounding from the holidays or simply having more free time, the new year makes people think about their career.
Job hunting in a good economy can be an effort. In a slumping economy it can be downright brutal. It would seem logical that job seekers would use every available strategy to secure employment. Yet according to a recent study by Career Builder and The Inavero Institute for Service Research*, the majority of job seekers are not utilizing key resources in their search.
Online career tools, of which there are many, should be a key component of your job searching strategy.
If you are unemployed and wanted to find a good job, then the shortest route possible is approaching a placement agency.
Time management is an act or process of planning and exercising conscious control over the amount of time spent on specific activities, especially to increase effectiveness, efficiency or productivity.Time management can be effectively done by using various tools and techniques.
Glass ceiling is legitimate and find a solution. This is one of the biggest mistakes that many commit. Sexual discrimination is extremely much legitimate and don't permit this only thing to hold you back and accomplish your ambitions especially in this ever-changing age of modernization.
Microsoft IT jobs are not easy to come buy, the nature of the company, requires the best there is and this is why you have to get outstanding skills and qualifications to even be considered.
The health care industry is continuously growing and there's no sign of it slowing down soon. The growth can also be seen on the allied health care services closely tied up to medicine. The reason for this growth is the continued demand for health care. It was further fueled in the past decade by the fact that the world population is aging and is therefore requiring more health care services.
Whether it's a New Year's resolution, rebounding from the holidays or simply having more free time, the new year makes people think about their career.
Whether you are aggressively seeking a new position or just putting your feelers out there because you've heard that companies are starting to hire again, this information can provide a lot of insight into how to approach your search.
When it comes to jobs, "the new normal" often means higher unemployment rates, fewer manufacturing and construction jobs. What else should we expect as we adjust to lingering changes in the work world?
A creative staffing professional gives tips on how to make the most of your job search
There are many ways people evaluate you in your career. Learn how to make every reflection of you a positive one.
Discuss this Article
