It is 2025! It is a year that holds many possibilities, but this year will be one that will be survival of the fittest, just like the Darwian maxim. It is possible to succeed in this new year if certain strategies are adopted in one’s career plan.
As we enter the new year, the job market is fast becoming a hot topic of discussion – all thanks to economic instability coming from various geo-political factors, technological changes and dynamics of the workforce. This is because the market is now characterized by high uncertainty and instability, for example through news items on layoffs, inflation and advancements in AI.
Sharad Mehra, CEO of GUS Global Services, says, “Trump is back in power so we can expect a different set of economic policies. It will have a global impact with conversations around tariffs and jobs being disrupted. There is a potential war in Europe that is being talked about. These are major events which will have an all-encompassing impact. The good news for India is that these will most likely have a positive impact because India will remain aloof from the war. A push in the tech sector is what can be expected to come. With the initiatives that the government has put into manufacturing in India, I expect a revival in 2025. These sectors will be booming and the rate of growth of the economy will be high compared to the rest of the world, so generally you will see opportunities in multiple areas. If I were to put one word onto it, I would say 2025 is overall a very positive year.”
The highly competitive workplace landscape makes it imperative to focus on skill development activities. Reskilling and upskilling is an urgent priority and over 74% of employees look for every chance to add new skills that make them a valuable resource possible, according to a PWC study.
“What is very important is that the level of technology which anybody needs to have now to be successful in a particular job is going to be extremely high. All professionals entering the industry must have skill sets like machine learning and AI and those who are already in the industry need to have a fair understanding because it is a very disruptive technology which is going to have an impact on several areas of jobs. Many areas where it has already started to affect is the creative area – designs and graphics etc. What will happen is that the nature of the jobs will start changing now, and the kind of skill sets needed from professionals will be different. Just to give you an example, if I was hiring a graphic person a few years back, the kind of understanding of software and technology would have been very different, but today, I need somebody who can work completely comfortably with AI tools. So that’s the way it will be for all relevant professions. Even the way hiring happens today, that’s also through many AI tools One piece of advice to everyone is to become a technology expert, just being merely aware of what the technology is will not help, added Sharad Mehra.”
Some workers want to reskill for them to remain useful. Reskilling employees boosts their engagement by approximately 15% according to trends highlighted in workforce studies by organizations like Coursera and the World Economic Forum. Studies by leading workforce analytics firms and training providers substantiate this and claim that 24% of employees increase their productivity when they are given the learning programs that they desire, which in 91% of cases happens, and allows for the employee’s personal development to coincide with that of the company.
Equally important, however, is flexibility in accordance with new working models. Employees have embraced hybrid and remote work models, which have now become conventional. Not only do these models improve engagement, but also substantially reduce turnover rates. However, there is a contrarian view as well which states that leaders worldwide believe that the Work from Home and Hybrid model is not being pushed aggressively, nor is it a very sustainable model. This view has been reiterated by tech leaders worldwide.
It’s well known that networking and mentorship are fundamental to career progression. Making professional contacts broadens horizons, and skills and leadership development are achieved through mentorship. Emotional intelligence (EQ) is yet another critical success factor. EQ is what improves teamwork, collaboration and decision-making as technology takes over simple tasks, and for those in positions of leadership, it becomes the deciding factor.
It has been observed that to excel in one’s career setting specific and quantitative goals greatly helps. It has been found helpful to break larger initiatives into smaller initiatives because it makes the achievement processes easy and fosters the zeal to achieve the objectives. In this context, ring-in employer assistance, such as career growth opportunities, adds up to one’s professional growth. Insights into workforce dynamics and employee priorities in development and retention strategies tell us that 86% of employees are ready to leave for another job if one comes up, which emphasizes the need for development strategies. Companies which give priority to such programs have been noted to have a retention rate that is 58% better (https://www.getbenepass.com/blog/employee-retention-statistics).
Lastly, venturing into less common career paths can introduce someone to additional opportunities. Today’s employers value applicants with a range of experiences like living in a foreign country or having an unusual job history since it would give them a different angle. The job market of 2025 requires a mindset brought about through continuous learning. Professionals who engage in leadership and soft skills, align with emerging trends, and exploit employer-provided resources will position themselves as indispensable assets in their areas. By following this pattern, individuals may successfully negotiate the difficulties of 2025, turning problems into opportunities for significant career achievement.
Now is the moment to take action; embrace these developments and match your professional objectives with the needs of a changing economy. For more in-depth information, examine the origins and contemporary trends influencing the nature of work in the future.