There’s no denying that the landscape of the working world is changing. From telecommuting to automation, it would seem that the days of punching a time card and sitting at a desk all day is heading the way of the dinosaur. But now there’s a new movement that’s transforming the future of work. Employers, say hello to the portfolioists.
In the article, “The Career of the Future Looks More Like a Portfolio Than a Path” on Quartz, the idea of portfolio workers is introduced. Rather than having a career that consists of single dots on an upward trajectory, portfolioists may have more than one career, and encompass various skills, education, experience, and duties that collectively add up to a dynamic livelihood that goes beyond occasional freelance gigs. Portfolioists think outside the box, assessing the pain points of companies and then tailoring their talents to come up with unique solutions.
In order for employers to prepare for the future of work, consider weaving in these tips in order to attract portfolioists and other top talent to your team:
Become location independent.
Let’s face it: not every job has to be done in an office every single day—or even a home office. Encourage your staff to become location independent. It’s in your company’s best interest, however, to make sure that employees have a backup location (or two) that they can go to in case of emergencies. Getting your workers—remote and in-office—to have remote work contingency plans makes a lot of business sense. And for portfolioists who most likely do the bulk of their work remotely, having a location-independent company mindset can be attractive.
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Offer flex.
While some portfolioists will work on-site, most are working remotely. If your company isn’t already a proponent of flex, this might be the motivating factor to adopt a flexible work policy and hire remote. Consider revamping your current jobs to allow employees the option to work remotely, and, where it makes sense, have flex be an integral part of future job openings. After all, the vast majority of today’s job seekers want flexible working conditions, and if your company doesn’t offer them, they’ll seek out those that do.
Rethink your hiring practices.
Sure, it’s smart to hire someone who has proven qualifications in order to handle the rigors of the job. But having experience only in your field isn’t always enough for the person to be your top job candidate. Look at what it would really take for a person to succeed in the position you’re trying to fill—and then broaden your own thinking as you look over job applications. Maybe someone doesn’t have a lot of experience in your specific field, but has a proven track record for success in other areas that are comparable. Or they might have some soft skills that would make them a great remote worker.
Keep your culture in mind.
Ultimately, you want to hire someone who will mesh seamlessly with the rest of your team. So consider your company’s culture as you interview potential new hires to see if they would be a good fit or not. Do they support the company’s mission and abide by its ethics? Do they fit in with the work environment, even if it’s a virtual one? Whether you’re thinking of hiring a portfolioist for a short-term stint or even a full-time position, it’s important that they ascribe to the beliefs of your company culture.
Be open to employees of all ages.
Right now, the millennials are the sweet spot in the U.S. workforce. With their tech capabilities and their collegial nature, they can sometimes be the coveted candidates to scoop up. But don’t discount older workers, who bring a wealth of wisdom, experience, and yes, energy to their roles. They are proven hard workers, responsible, and dedicated, which would make them an asset to your organization. And as portfolioists, their expertise can’t be beat. So as you consider the future of work and how it will affect your company, hiring portfolioists can be a sound investment in your company’s bottom line—and beyond.
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