Change as they say is the only constant in life. The proverbial saying is aptly true for the ever-evolving global workforce. “Job” is no longer just a job! Nor is the global worker just an employee working only to earn the bread. With work becoming an identity of a person, most are giving their personal touch to the way they present themselves for career growth or finding their next job.
According to the latest Kelly Global Workforce Index which obtained the views of 1,34,000 people in 29 countries across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific, people are increasingly taking the initiative to create their own personal “brand”.
Creating personal brand
The primary reason for this is enhancing employment prospects and remaining competitive in the fast-changing workplace. “A strong personal brand becomes critical for individuals to differentiate themselves and gain future employment,” explains George Corona, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Kelly Services.
Interestingly, when it comes to marketing personal attributes, all respondents worldwide identify verbal communication skills (64 percent) as the most important element to creating a personal brand, followed by technical knowledge (61 percent), résumés (57 percent), written communications (54 percent), personal attire (47 percent), and use of social media (36 percent).
A rather bold trend the study highlighted is the fact that people are also willing to invest in improving their skills or changing careers. In fact, approximately two-thirds of respondents are willing to spend their own money to upgrade their skills, while more than half believe they will change their careers or re-invent themselves in the future. “Many people are now embracing the idea of operating as ‘independent consultants,’ and accepting responsibility for managing their own careers and enhancing their marketability,” adds Corona.
Key Generational Findings
69 percent of those in Gen X are prepared to spend their own money on training to upgrade skills, higher than that of Gen Y (67 percent) and baby boomers (61 percent).
63 percent of those from Gen Y are “very optimistic” about their ability to keep pace with technology and other changes in the workplace, higher than Gen X (61 percent) and baby boomers (54 percent).
More than 60 percent expect to change their career at some stage in the future, comprising Gen X (65 percent) and Gen Y and baby boomers (both 62 percent).
Approximately a quarter of respondents describe themselves as “very active” in their use of social media for personal marketing, while another 37 percent say they are “somewhat active.”
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