Being able to adapt and take on roles that require you to wear many hats is a skill that will see you through some of the toughest modern-day career challenges that employees face, and that they will likely face in years to come.

The only constant is change

Employees in 2018 will have already noticed the rapid pace at which traditional work environments have shifted. And thanks to the changes brought about by the rise of digital technology and innovation, as well as the resulting increase in demand for employees with digital skills, the nature of work itself has also shifted.

For example, entrepreneurs now need to have a much better understanding of social media then they did before in order to target their customers. Similarly, an individual hoping to land a role at a digital agency would be required to be able to use a variety of different platforms and software in their day-to-day duties.

Just a decade ago, this wasn’t necessarily the case – and today, just when you think you know everything there is to know to make yourself ‘indispensable’, a new innovation comes along and increases demand for new skills.

There's no such thing as ‘indispensable’

There’s no such thing as an indispensable employee. For one thing, companies can no longer afford to take the risk of hinging the success of their businesses on one or a few individuals.

Instead of hiring employees to work in silos, employers are opting for individuals who can each contribute a wide and meaningful range of skills and expertise. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t take the necessary steps to future-proof your career.

Studying further is key to developing a high-level understanding of your field or industry, allowing individuals to take a step beyond what they were able to learn during undergraduate studies and delve deeper into specific topics and challenges that affect industries at large.

The world of work is competitive

According to the CareerJunction 2018 Index, supply heavily outweighs demand when it comes to certain skills, where there are more people in the market for sales and marketing positions, for example, than there is a need for them.

This means that job seekers are competing against others with the same skill sets for a limited number of jobs, where employers are looking to hire those who can bring something more to the table.

A shapeshifter, in this case, is the candidate who has equipped themselves with in-demand skills to boost their employability. Staying ahead of industry news and trends and enrolling in online education courses to develop your skills on a regular basis are both great ways to set yourself apart from the crowd.

Shapeshifters are headhunted

It’s no secret that employers are always on the lookout for impressive and promising young graduates, as well as individuals who are notably great at their current jobs, and who can add value to their businesses.

More often than not, employers are not just looking for great qualifications, but the industry and life experience that an individual gained during their studies.

Career success in the modern-day work environment is a moving target designed to keep you on your toes, which is why you need to be a shapeshifter – someone who is able to adapt to change (instead of resisting it) in order to get ahead.

For more information, visit www.vegaschool.com. You can also follow Vega on FacebookTwitter or on Instagram.