By Jamie J. Johnson
The career playbook has changed. In 2026, staying relevant means building the right skills, working smarter with AI, and being ready to pivot when the rules shift. This is the moment to review, renew, and future-proof your career.
As the new year begins, it is time to take stock of who you are and how you are aligning with your current career goals and future plans. Companies are seeking employees who have a growth mindset, flexibility, and sharp analytical problem-solving skills. With the interweaving of AI as a permanent partner in organizations, it’s important to find ways to confirm your talent and experience, and if that is opening the doors to opportunity and personal development.
Are you keeping up with what you need to evolve your skills or have your realized where you are no longer on the same career path you wish to follow? While it may be worth seeking guidance from a career counselor or coach who can help validate your direction and map out next steps, here are some predictions that can help sharpen your strategy and set the stage for what comes next.
Mind the gap: Building skills for the future
The competitive job market is requiring individuals to bring specific skills to fill the gap in their ever-changing workforce. As you reflect on who you are and where you want to go professionally consider how adding new skills can open new opportunities for future growth. The fast pace of technological change means lifelong learning is no longer a suggestion but a necessity for career resilience.
Companies are starting to implement relevant skills assessments as they have made notable commitments to skills-based hiring. Looking forward, they desire to weigh proficiency more heavily than formal education in hiring decisions. It is no longer just the degree, but the specific skills targeted to the outcome that matter, and knowledge in areas like cybersecurity, cloud computing, and data science will continue to have a high demand across sectors. Plan to create a continual learning mindset; be ready and always willing to learn. And in addition to seeking ways to uplevel your specific skills in the career fields you are targeting, focus on how best to articulate your knowledge and expertise throughout the job search.
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Make Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) your strategic partner
With the advent of Generative AI tapping into all aspects of our lives, we can either be an ostrich and “hide our heads” in the shifting sands of change – or we can embrace it. Today we must seek ways to improve our knowledge and understanding of how AI works within our current job/field. Talk to your manager about participating in any workplace initiatives that are offering classes and/or workshops.
Consider taking additional classes or educational programs through your professional organization or like LinkedIn Learning or college and university offering certificates and bootcamps.
Learn how AI can increase your productivity and assist you to become more productive and add value for now and in the future. Recognize we must be adaptive and flexible to continue to grow as the world of work adapts and changes its needs and goals.
Can you pivot? Battle for remote/hybrid work vs. onsite continues
Employers are continuing to demand some sort of onsite work requirement from employees, while the desire for remote work/hybrid work remains high and continues to cause conflict between work-life balance demands and work force requirements. While work force experts predict an increase in onsite hiring, those looking to reward professionals or to reduce workspace expenses are seeking to identify who qualifies for hybrid/remote work.
Look for the rise of workplace optional and micro shifting. The focus will move from where work is done to how it gets done. A flexible model, including the expansion of the gig and freelance economy, may be looming in the future. Take stock in your top work life values and be ready to pivot toward what counts for you and your career goals.
READ: OpenAI study reveals 44 jobs most at risk of being replaced by AI (
Scalable/contract opportunities become the norm
Many employment futurists are predicting this trend will continue into 2026. Bringing in seasoned and highly professional level staff on a scalable role can help employers meet quick needs for the short-term. However, for the employee, it can bring more uncertainty and less stability in the workplace. Those who found themselves without jobs might be quickly hired into the same position as a contractor. The downside is the possibility of no or limited benefits and uncertain continued employment.
While this may seem like an unlikely choice for some, contract work can provide others with the opportunity to gain more skills, experience and connections for a broader professional network. Many temporary and contract employees have gone on to full-time employment through their temporary work experiences. Consider contracting and temporary work while you look for full-time employment. Make this a time to upscale and connect so the temp/contract role will open up paths to permanent roles.
Side hustle, multi-jobbing, poly employment vs. traditional work schedules
Consider developing a side hustle or poly job as part of your future career goals. Poly employment is becoming popular or in some cases necessary as the job market fluctuates, and companies demonstrate a lean and mean hiring practice. It can also offer schedule flexibility, an increase in creativity, and upskilling to meet diverse technological requirements. It can also provide a sense of financial security and control in case another job disappears due to economic downturn or shifts or gives you a way to bring that extra cash for specific personal and/or professional goals you seek. The downsize is the demand on your schedule, but if it fits within your goals and dreams, it can be a great way to bring in extra cash.
(Jamie J. Johnson is a Career Coach at the University of Phoenix with 25+ years of experience helping professionals navigate career transitions, explore new paths, and adapt to AI-driven workplaces. Her expertise spans healthcare, science, biotech, education, and the nonprofit sector.)