Climbing the conventional “corporate ladder” is no longer a trend. Today, there’s a massive drift in the world of work. From slogging for years in the same job to passionately working in multiple jobs — clearly, there’s a transition.
Sure, linear and one-dimensional careers provide much-needed job security. It offers tons of benefits. And there’s money in your bank account end of each month.
But the long hours of monotonous work can lead to burnout. You get too comfortable, and the job gets mechanical. And it’s a vicious cycle.
So, how to define a career path that is both rewarding and meaningful? Do multiple careers work? Does it help you reach your goals?
Let’s find out here!
Squiggly Careers: Can It Help You Get Ahead of the Game?
The term “Squiggly Careers” is the new buzzword. When Sarah Ellis and Helen Tupper hosted a podcast in 2018 called “Squiggly Careers,” it piqued the interest of all. Their book — released in 2020 — goes by the same name is now a bestseller.
Here’s what the term means.
You land a job. You develop new skills and move on to the next job. It’s pretty much what everyone is up to today. Unlike the linear careers, it’s squiggly — uncertain and uncomfortable. In this squiggly world, with sea changes taking place time and again, it gets overwhelming to keep up with things.
However, It’s not always about changing jobs. Hopping from one job to another doesn’t necessarily mean you’re unstable. At least, not in today’s world. But, stability doesn’t mean you need to be stuck at one job in your life.
And that’s what squiggly careers are meant to do — to steer you in the right direction. Squiggly careers help develop new skills and future-proof your career whether you switch domains or jobs.
You learn every day, build on your skills, and adapt to changes. Yes, it’s uncertain, and there’s ambiguity. You don’t know “what’s next,” but that’s the beauty of it.
Linear careers are straightforward and easily predictable (when it comes to your work). But, in times of an outbreak, it can be a major shock. A squiggly career helps you avoid such circumstances. At least, you don’t hit a dead-end.
Skills to Thrive in Multiple Careers
Multiple careers don’t mean you have to switch jobs frequently. You can be moving into different domains within your organization or have a side gig to back you up.
Speaking of side gigs, there’s a dramatic growth in the gig economy. According to a BCG report, the gig economy can open up to 90 million jobs and add 1.25% to India’s GDP. It’s quite the new normal. People are shifting from the typical 9-to-5 jobs to making their side-hustle a full-time thing.
If you think about it, freelancing is squiggly — it’s uncertain yet rewarding at the same time. For instance, you can be working at different domains or multiple gigs, but if people skills come naturally to you, that’s your strength. You get to work on it while learning other things simultaneously.
As Sarah Ellis and Helen Tupper state, to thrive in such a career, you need to have these five skills: super-strengths, networking, self-confidence, values and beliefs, and future possibilities.
Working on your super strengths helps you thrive in these careers. Super strength is that one thing that comes naturally to you.
You’re not just good at it; you’re phenomenal at it. Further, it’s connecting with people that’s crucial to having a fruitful career.
If you think about it as just networking, it may not help you. But if you view it as people helping people, you’re sure to get the most out of it.
What comes next is what you believe in. You work better when your values align well with the organization’s values.
Squiggly careers strengthen your strengths — also develop multiple skills — to survive in the future. Having confidence in what you do helps businesses be confident about working with you.
Squiggly careers may not be for all. It’s having the right attitude and the right mindset that make your career the way you want it to be.
The grass is always greener on the other side, but it’s how you nurture your plants that make the difference. If you choose to follow the road less traveled and design a career path, you’re sure to thrive come rain or shine.
