In recent months, the shortage of skilled labor has become a central topic in economic and social discussions. The media, businesses, and institutions express concern over this issue. The Vaud Economic Forum on September 27, 2024, even placed this topic at the heart of its discussions: « By 2040, 430,000 people will be missing from the labor market. Who will do the job? ».

This observation sounds alarming, but as a professional, should this situation also be one of your concerns?

You might be tempted to think that, given this shortage, you’ll have a better chance on the job market; for once, you might even be spoiled for choice! Not so fast: while optimism is a great quality, reality is a bit more nuanced. A close analysis shows that this situation can represent major challenges for everyone. This conclusion brings us to a crucial question: How does this shortage directly impact each professional, and what can be done to adapt?

In this article, we’ll first explore the reasons behind this shortage, then examine strategies you can adopt to avoid being seen as an “average professional.” Finally, we’ll see how a creative approach can ensure the sustainability of your career.

Why Is There Talk of a Skilled Labor Shortage?

An Inevitable Demographic Shift

The population structure is evolving, and the age pyramid looks less and less like a pyramid. The aging population means that retirements are increasing, while the number of new entrants to the labor market is declining. This creates an imbalance, with fewer workers to support a constantly growing economy.

A Constantly Changing World

Beyond demographics, our era is marked by technological acceleration that continually redefines the skills required. Rapid advances in fields like artificial intelligence and automation make some qualifications obsolete in just a few years. While this creates a greater demand for specialized experts, it becomes more difficult for generalist professionals to keep up. At the same time, these same technologies make it possible to automate basic tasks, reducing the demand for versatile profiles compared to the past.

These factors, although they may seem distant or general, have a direct impact on every professional. If you don’t make an effort to stay updated and stand out, you risk being marginalized in the job market.

How to Avoid Being Seen as an “Average Professional”?

In a market that evolves quickly and where technical skills become outdated fast, it’s crucial to remain relevant. Here are a few strategies to distinguish yourself from the mass of professionals.

1. Invest in Continuing Education

While technical skills are important, they are no longer enough to guarantee job security. It’s essential to go beyond by developing human skills that machines can hardly replace: empathy, leadership, conflict management, creativity. These skills put you in a position where you can not only interact with technologies but also bring unique value to the company.

2. Becoming Agile

Agility is not just a buzzword; it’s a necessity in a constantly evolving professional environment. Agility allows you to react quickly to changes, anticipate disruptions, and adapt your working methods. Working on several projects simultaneously and being able to pivot based on market developments will make you indispensable. To achieve this, develop an open mindset, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to change direction when necessary.

3. Cultivating Uniqueness

One of the most common traps is settling for general skills without identifying what makes you a unique professional. But how do you stand out?

Here, psychology and marketing can be great tools. For example, the concept of personal branding can help you build a strong and consistent image of your skills and added value. Ask yourself what your unique strengths are. Conduct a personal and professional assessment: what skills truly set you apart? Then, be sure to highlight them, whether in your communication (resume, LinkedIn, etc.) or in professional interactions.

In terms of psychology, self-determination also plays a role: individuals who engage in projects aligned with their deep values and interests often have greater success and satisfaction in their careers.

Becoming Creative to Ensure Career Sustainability

It may happen that, despite your skills, you are perceived as too costly a profile for a company. This does not mean that your salary expectations are unrealistic, but rather that the overall cost (in time and money) you represent becomes difficult to justify for a part-time or occasional need. It’s a bit like buying a car: if you only drive once a week, you might consider renting rather than buying.

This is where your creativity comes into play to ensure your career sustainability. Let’s paint the picture: you have the sought-after technical and personal skills in your field, you know how to juggle multiple projects and issues, and you can explain how your experience enriches your professional contributions; you are the proverbial “five-legged sheep.” The “average professional” framework no longer fits you, and you need to create a custom framework for your growth.

One of the creative paths to ensure this sustainability is the slash career. This approach involves diversifying your professional activities, for example by undertaking multiple projects simultaneously or combining a fixed position with a side activity on a project basis. This allows you not only to share your expertise with multiple companies but also to constantly enrich your skills and remain agile in the face of market changes.

For more on this concept, you can read our dedicated article on the slash career.

Your Career, Your Creativity: The Key to a Sustainable Future

In a constantly changing professional world where the shortage of skilled labor is intensifying, every professional must take action to avoid becoming obsolete. Whether it’s investing in training, developing a bulletproof agility, or cultivating uniqueness, the key to success is to remain adaptable and proactive. Creativity and innovation become precious allies to ensure career sustainability.

At Opsys360, we understand these challenges because we experience them as well. Our solutions are designed to help you thrive in this constantly evolving professional world. We believe that every individual deserves a career that reflects who they are, and we are here to support you at every step of this process. Contact us today to discuss your project and discover how we can help you shape a professional future that’s uniquely yours.