In my preparation for getting back into the workforce, I’ve noticed a few things.

Firstly, I feel like I’ve come full-circle.

When I first started working after I left school, I’d get up in the morning, get dressed in my suit and catch a bus into the city.

When I eventually moved-on from that first job I spent the next 19 years in a different company where the dress code was more relaxed and I’d usually drive to work.

Now, with my new job, I’ll be having to dress in a suit again and catch a bus into the city … and I haven’t caught a bus in 27 years!

Secondly, everything has changed!

And it’s all happened since Covid.

The industry I’m in has been decimated and the new business model is to have few staff in this country and most in India or the Phillipines.

I’ve also noticed some participants in the industry have their head in the sand regarding technology.

They believe because aspects of their job are difficult, it can’t be automated … very myopic thinking 😳

And this is concerning because most industries will be affected by automation and AI, to whatever degree that may be.

Which will leave many people unemployed and then it doesn’t matter if businesses have reduced their costs by getting rid of labour as I’m guessing their revenue will also decline because …. who can then afford to buy goods and services??

Perhaps we’ll end-up like Japan where people are employed to help others cross the road because it gives them an identity and a wage … even though it’s a job that’s not needed.

The other alternative … and the one I’m working-on … is to start something on the side.

Something I can generate income from, through the use of technology, and from which I can run by myself.

This is the longer-term game I’m playing as I try and work-out how to survive in the future.

But for now, I know I’ll have to buckle-down in the new job for the first 6 months and try and get myself back into things.

That way, I’m at least earning something and if I can achieve that then that’s one weight off the shoulders.

But you can bet I’ll still be looking for that “something on the side”!