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Employment Realities

The workplace is complicated, but if you have a plan you can advance and succeed in your career.

In the new world of work, you have to think about your long-term career goals. Job seekers can expect to change jobs or employers every few years. Below are some examples of how the world of work has changed:

Sticking with the same job: Workers used to stay in one type of job their whole life. They worked for one company long term. Today, workers have jobs and more than one career in their lifetime.

Determining your own career path-and pay: Employees used to be able to predict how and when their pay and work duties would increase. Today, workers create their own career paths within one or many employers. They have more say in their own pay raises and change in duties.

Being resourceful on the job: Employees used to do exactly the work an employer told them to do — and no more. Today, job duties change more often. Even full-time employees work on different projects. Employers want workers who think for themselves.

Types of jobs available: There used to be many manual labor jobs in the production and manufacturing industries. Today, more jobs are in the service or knowledge industries. Workers in all areas need to be creative. They need to provide good customer service. They also need technical skills.

Job schedules: Most workers used to work full time for one employer. Today, employees might work full time or part time. They might be short-term or contract workers. They may work for more than one company at once.

The reality is that you are in charge of your career. In today's job market you can have more control over your pay, who your work for, and the type of work you do — if you have a plan.

Having a career plan can make the difference between simply moving from job to job, and advancing to higher paying, more fulfilling positions.

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