Ride Out Automation With These 4 Tips

We know that automation is upon us. The rise of robotics in various fields increases. Industries that have seen automation are manufacturing, transportation & logistics, and starting in healthcare. These are high level examples and may not affect you. What may affect you is RFID self-service at a library, or self-service secure parking garages. These will become more and more common as budgets are cut and pressure to reduce cost.

If you are one of those affected or potentially affected, I can imagine the great concern that causes. What I want to do is give you a few tips that you can use to re-brand yourself after job-loss due to automation:

#1 Build a Network on LinkedIn

Social media is great. You can get on Twitter, Facebook, or any other platform. However, the number one place for you to build a network is LinkedIn. The key thing is to create valuable content and nurture relationships. Do not get on LinkedIn and start approaching people for a job unless you know them personally beforehand. Of course, a recruiter could approach you directly, and that’s okay to engage.

It’s important that you work on building your personal brand and engaging with other people’s content. In this way, people get to know you and learn about your values and mindset. It also shows your personal brand.

Action: Either create a LinkedIn and start building relationships, or use your current account and start to nurture and build new relationships with people while also engaging with relevant content.

#2 Learn a New Creative Skill

I think it’s quite difficult to mimic humans’ creativity, e.g. writing, graphic design, or even cooking. If you have an opportunity learn how to do something in this creative realm, then go ahead! I am not saying you will definitely find a new career, but it’s a good start. It’s something new that you can discover about yourself and trying to make a living out of.

Action: Take a moment to create something using canva.com or write an article about a topic you like.

#3 Improve Computer Literacy

If you don’t have good computer skills, then it’s a good time to learn some.

There are plenty of free online courses out there for Excel, Word, or even Outlook. You can go on Youtube and search around for some tutorials.

If your computer skills are good, then have a look and see if there is something that you can learn. We are constantly learning new things or refreshing.

Action: Follow a course to learn a new computer skill or refresh what you know.

#4 Become a Freelancer or Entrepreneur

Perhaps you can start a new business to fulfill a need in your community whether it could be a taxi business, cooking, or writing for the local newspaper. If you want to look into the freelancer route, there are websites out there. Two that are quite well known are Upwork and Guru. You may not earn much to start, but it’s a start.

You have start somewhere to get anywhere.

One thing I want to point out: Freelancing or Entrepreneurship is not for everyone. You need to research and learn more about both and the pros/cons. I am not saying this is a definite way for you. I am saying it’s an option that you should consider. Ultimately, you make the final judgment and decision to pursue this path.

Action: Research about freelancing and entrepreneurship and in what way you could make a business out of it.

These 4 tips should help you get on the right track. You need to persevere and ensure that you continue to get ahead of the curve as much as possible. Don’t forget you will need to fend off competition all the time.

I do want to mention that things may change rapidly. It’s your responsibility to stay up to date and take your career in your own hands. With that said, what I have suggested here can change and no longer apply in the future. Let’s see what automation has in store for us.

Key Takeaway: Automation is upon us. More and more jobs are being replaced with no alternative. You need to re-brand yourself to manage the job loss or the potential loss. Taking a more creative path can provide you a new perspective and way to get ahead. In doing so, you may decide to take a freelance or entrepreneur path. At the end, you need to learn something new, persevere, and choose what is best for you.