The human tragedy in the legal sector is the elimination of staff jobs. WFH has accelerated the inevitable: hollowing out the administrative functions. For a while it had been obvious that robotic automation would hit those niches hard. Well, now it has.
It's not likely that former staff will find the same kinds of jobs or the same kind of compensation.
So, like so many others knocked out of their job box, you displaced staff have to think differently about earning a good living.
That line of thought should include the certification route.
Having a certificate in a certain field used to be an edge. That tended to reassure employers that this person could do the job, such as be proficient in PPC (Pay Per Click).
Now, with high uncertainty facing all businesses, those doing the hiring for jobs and even gig assignments toss applications with no certifications of the skills needed. Nonono, they don't want to hear that you pick up software quickly or that you can leverage your overall knowledge of legalities to the real estate business.
You might have already noticed that more help-wanted ads and application forms are asking about or requiring certifications.
Increasingly certifications are becoming the price of entry.
Suppose a side hustle for you has been landscaping. All your neighbors have used your services. You were even interviewed on a podcast about landscaping. So, you feel confident about replying to a help-wanted for someone to manage the landscaping for the hospital. Well, expect to be asked about your certification. Here U.S. News & World Report covers some popular certifications, including landscaping.
The silver lining in certifications should be obvious. Those of you who are determined to remain employable don't have to hunker down and do four years of college or circle back to academia for a pricey advanced degree.
Where training is available is just about everywhere. That ranges from the brick and motor community college or trade school, often with online options, to stand-alone online instruction and testing.
Some provide training that is free. However, there probably will be a fee to take the exam.
Those that are self-study versus involving actual classroom instruction are less expensive.
In-person training plus the exam in a niche in IT can cost between $5,000 and $11,000. The IT field has its own specialized publication - Certification Magazine.
Those I coach ask me: Is it possible to get in the door without certification?
Sure, I answer. Try it. Then, if no response to your applications or you never receive a job offer, then research certification programs for your line of work - or a field you want to enter.
In your research, demand documentation of the program's track record in jobs and rate of compensation.
Ask for names of former students you can informally interview.
Also, contact the Better Business Bureau and other sources of information about complaints.
When certified, position and package it as an asset in your cover letters, resumes and interviews.
The Future of Work is now. Ghostwriting on those issues and coaching for job search, transition, personal branding, re-entry after recovery and reputation restoration. Sliding scale fees. Complimentary consultation (janegenova374@gmail.com)