Job Opportunities Are Getting Narrower, This Is The Key To Successful Careers For The Young Generation

JAKARTA - In the midst of a challenging global economic situation, the younger generation faces a new reality in the world of work. According to Astrid Suryapranata, Indonesia's Market Leader, the trend of job opportunities next year shows a slowdown.

This also makes job opportunities narrower, where competition for jobs or career improvement will be even tighter. However, chances remain for those who are able to adapt to change.

Astrid explained that the global economic slowdown had an impact on reducing labor expansion by the company.

"There is indeed an opportunity, but companies are more likely to replace the existing workforce than to increase the number of employees," he said in a media briefing themed Total Remuneration Survey 2024 from Badminton Indonesia in Jakarta, recently.

Even things like this in turn seem to demand workers to continue to be relevant by reskilling or upskilling to stay competitive in the world of work.

On the other hand, job opportunities depend heavily on the skills they have. According to Astrid, having the abilities needed by the industry is the main key to staying competitive. Therefore, the development of skills relevant to market needs is becoming increasingly important.

Astrid emphasized the importance of learningability or learning skills, namely the ability to continue to learn and adapt in the face of change. Learningability includes three main aspects that can be developed by the younger generation.

These three aspects include the desire to learn, the willingness to explore new things, to continue to learn new things related to the needs of capabilities in the world of work.

"If we don't have learningability, we will be stuck on outdated capabilities. The younger generation is required to continue learning in order to keep up with the times, including utilizing technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) as partners," he said.

In this case, AI is one of the factors that will affect the world of work in the future. Astrid reminded AI should be seen as a friend, not a threat.

By leveraging this technology, workers can increase productivity and develop relevant new skills. The younger generation must learn to work with AI and make it a tool to develop.

When looking at difficult economic conditions, it is important for young employees to maintain their relevance in the world of work. For example, reskilling and upskilling include developing new skills or increasing the capabilities they already have to suit market needs

Then the younger generation is also expected to be able to adapt to change, be flexible and open to new opportunities outside the comfort zone.

Then what is no less important is to maintain individual welfare, namely physical and mental balance so that they can be more sane in facing challenges in their careers.

"This difficult situation does not mean there is no chance at all. With the right approach, the younger generation can continue to grow and find a position that suits their abilities," he concluded.