The Millennial Career Dilemma Series- Article 19-By Shubika Bilkha
While re-entering work-mode after the mayhem of the new year celebratory period, I was greeted with a well-timed flashback or in new age terminology a ‘throwback or #tbt’ of a video byte I gave at an event some time ago. As we venture into yet another year of surprises, the message in the video of ‘there is nothing you can’t do with the right attitude and perspective’ struck a chord as I greeted some of my millennial clients this week.
What better approach to start 2019 with than that of a #CanDo! I most certainly felt pretty empowered with it.
As we enter the ‘exponential era’ to quote Mr. Ambani, it is the agility and adaptability of the millennial career aspirant that will help navigate this era of uncertainty. In a recent interview of Ravi Venkatesan, former Chariman of Microsoft India and acclaimed author, he quoted Warren Buffet to say “its only when the tide goes out that you learn who has been swimming naked” ie. it is the era of navigating your own course and not justrelying on what is known in the present.
When I was at Columbia Business School in New York, they said that the single biggest skillset you need to survive in the world was that of ‘resilience’. Resilience as defined by the HBR is ‘the ability to recover from difficulties, to spring back into shape after a shock and is the ability to be adaptable to changes in the environment’.
As the heat turns on in the final semester to land that perfect job or nail that appraisal and promotion, for the millennial career aspirant here are some ways to stay true to your #CanDo:
1. Chalk out your Life Purpose
In the run up to finding a job or getting ahead at work, we often forget what is it that we truly want to accomplish in our life. It is important to have our life purpose to hand and revisit it from time to time to make sure that are on the right track. It will not just serve as a motivator during the disappointments but relating our life purpose to our current job role/job hunt will make work more fulfilling.
2. Know that Change is Inevitable
In a world of constant disruption, change is synonymous with our existence. Those days when like our parents we could rely on a 25+ year career at an organization seem far behind and it is our responsibility now to be proactive to take the necessary steps to stay relevant at work. Keeping the hand on the pulse, being commercially aware and being flexible are key to navigate these evolving times
3. Learn how to fail
Ups and downs are a part and parcel of life. As an entrepreneur, I succeed and fail every single day. As a job seeker you will too. Failure no longer has that negative connotation and in fact bouncing back from failure, learning from it, shows strength of character.
4. Crises is temporary
The famous words of ‘this too shall pass’ should resonate with you during this process. Know that all setbacks are temporary and that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Manage your expectations in this regard and power through. You’ve got it!
5. Stay Positive
Employers, organizations and managers like to see positivity. So wipe that frown, throw on that smile and get that spring in your step as you enter the next interview or appraisal meeting. Don’t keep that fabulous you hidden and dazzle them with what you bring to the table. Remember there’s nothing you Can’t Do!
For more information on Edpower-U’s Career Coaching and Workplace skill building programs please write in to edpoweru@gmail.com.
About the Author
Shubika is currently the Founding Partner of Edpower-U. She is a dynamic entrepreneur, trained executive coach, media spokesperson, author and corporate advisor with experience that spansthe financial, technology, ecommerce, education and real estate sectors in India and Internationally. As the managing Director of two early stage start-ups in technology and education, Shubika has hands on experience in all aspects of these businesses. She was recently the Managing Director of a leading vocational training institute in India and has worked with a number of leaders across industry, government and the educational ecosystem in India and the UK.
She is also a published author with her first book widely distributed. Shubika is an alumna of Mount Holyoke College, USA and Columbia Business School, USA; an Associate Member of the Chartered Securities Institute (CSI) in the UK; and has completed the “Building Excellence in Higher Educational Institutions” at the Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad. She is a trained Executive Coach with CTI, UK in line with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) ACC guidelines.