“Where do you visualize yourself in five years?”
It's a query that many individuals have pondered or been posed during job interviews, by mentors, career counselors, or even by their guardians.
But it's not a question that should cause much concern, Aneesh Raman, vice president and workforce specialist at LinkedIn, informed CNBC Make It during a discussion at LinkedIn’s U.K. Talent Connect event last month.
"Don't fret over five years or a decade ahead," he advised.
At first glance, this may seem counterintuitive, but given the rapid evolution of the labor market and jobs themselves due to technological advancements like artificial intelligence, planning for the future can be challenging.
Simply put, we cannot predict which job roles will even exist in a few years, Raman remarked. "The sole constant for the next decade will be change," he emphasized.
But what about those embarking on their careers?
Instead of fixating on desired job titles or roles, Raman recommends concentrating on aspirations, skill development, and their meaningful application.
"What matters most are skills," Raman emphasized. Cultivating these should be the primary focus for early career professionals, he explained, noting that the where and how are secondary.
"Employers value all the skills you bring to the table, irrespective of where you acquired them," he pointed out. "Evaluate your top skills and excel at articulating where you honed them and, more significantly, where you utilized them."
According to data, employers are increasingly prioritizing skills — for instance, recruiters are five times more inclined to seek out candidates based on skills rather than other credentials like college degrees, as per LinkedIn's findings.
"Once you've developed genuine expertise, the subsequent step is to contemplate how you can apply your knowledge to a specific issue or area you're passionate about," Raman stated.
In addition to skills, a focus on learning should be integral and complementary to adapting in a constantly shifting job landscape.
"Discover your passion for learning, where you're enthusiastic about acquiring knowledge because of your curiosity and commitment to enhancing specific skills or expertise," Raman urged.
He noted that inquiring about the culture of learning is the
most crucial question job seekers can pose during interviews. This is attributed to the evolving nature of jobs and the labor market, Raman explained. LinkedIn's research has also revealed that learning enhances workers' sense of belonging to their organization and imbues their roles with purpose.
