Labor Market and Employment
Considering the global changes and technological advances, labor market and employment conditions are constantly changing. Today, technology has become a middleman, connecting employers and job seekers around the world. It is also constantly changing the way jobs are and the way they can be done. Moreover, international organizations consider it crucial to have a diverse group of employees that enable them to better understand and connect with their customers around the world. At the same time, employees find the possibility of finding jobs in new environments refreshing. They seek to work for organizations that share the same values as they do. All of this is possible due to the changes the world has experienced, yet some things are still the same.
The labor market
The supply and demand in the labor market are partly changing due to the emergence of advanced machinery and artificial intelligence (AI). Technology has taken some jobs off the market, especially those that are considered hazardous to people’s health or too labor intensive. But it has also been offering new opportunities for which people have to be trained. Since computers and machines are taking care of certain hard skills, people are required to work on their soft skills, learning to work with other people and manage relationships. In other words, attention to human skills has become more heightened.
keeping up with the trends
Even the jobs that have not changed in nature, are constantly experiencing changes in their environment, which in turn necessitate skill upgrades. For example, the ability to use certain softwares is no longer an advantage, but a necessity. Individuals have to be able to work with office automation systems regardless of their jobs. In addition, they have to be familiar with softwares that are typically used by people in the same position or profession. Even for people who haven’t written a letter throughout their lives, using emails is common in almost every job our there. Employers need people who are willing and able to keep up with these changes and elevate themselves constantly.
From homeworking to offshoring
Organizations are no longer limited to choose employees from the ones within their cities or even countries. They can hire a person or even a team and have them work remotely in an office or at home. This brings more freedom of choice to both employers and job seekers. It provides a perfect chance for people who have to or prefer to work from home. Companies even allow local employees to work from home to offer them a chance to create work-life balance. In some cases, businesses go beyond outsourcing and resort to offshoring to have the best take care of some of their activities. They stick to what they do best and leave the rest to other people. In a way, they choose to put their resources to better use and do what they do best.
Market flexibility
The labor market is still looking for full-time, part-time, and contractors. They sometimes seek freelancers who can get a job done without charging them as high as a company does. Regardless of global changes, national laws still provide employment guidelines for their companies. Some countries allow for a more flexible labor market. Companies can let an employee go with a prior notice and the country provides unemployment benefits to help those who don’t have a job. Although this may lead to job insecurity, it allows companies to sift through their human resources and let go of those with a low performance.
On the other hand, some countries have strict rules that prevent businesses to hire and fire as they wish. They have to pay notable amount of redundancy payments only after going through a time-consuming process of firing them. In some cases employee can even make a complaint if an organization decides to let them go. In Iran, for example, companies are required to allow for a long maternity leave as well as short working hours after child birth. It has also warned to fine those who try to fire female employees. Though this prevents companies from firing women, it has led many organizations to reconsider hiring women in the first place. Such rigid labor markets are said to result in a higher unemployment rate in the long term.
from freelancers to influencers
While freelancers are finding it easier to introduce themselves to other businesses through social media, influencers are constantly being contacted by organizations. People who enjoy the freedom of working for themselves with their preferred working conditions find it liberating to connect with customers or businesses as an individual. Sometimes a personal brand catches more glimpses than a large company. Meanwhile, companies have realized that through not necessarily celebrities, but popular people who have become role models to many in social media, they can become even closer to their potential customers. That is why these people are known as influencers. Their lifestyles and attitudes are closer to home, therefore, people are more easily influenced by them. Influencers have significantly affected marketing and new marketing strategies are possible thanks to them.
Changes continue to define the nature of jobs and working conditions. Job markets face job seekers with diverse skills and organizations have a clear image of their preferred employee. Finding and offering the right job have become easier, but maintaining human resources and keeping a job needs careful consideration. Specialties may give job seekers the edge, but soft skills elevates them.
