Home Content Articles How to future-proof your portfolio career for 2025

How to future-proof your portfolio career for 2025

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The phrase ‘future of work’ gets thrown around a lot these days, and that’s because work will never go back to what it was five years ago. 

When we talk about the future, more often than not, we’re talking about now. We’re coming to terms with this massive paradigm shift by making it feel like it’s just on the horizon.

But it’s not. It’s here. Technology has advanced. Hybrid work is part of the norm. And AI is deeply engrained in our everyday lives.

Companies are being forced to adapt, as are employees. So what does that mean for those of us who work independently?

It’s simple. Staying still isn’t an option. In order to thrive in your portfolio career, you need to adapt and evolve. But change is a good thing, and the future is full of possibilities when you approach it with an open and curious mindset.

So what should we be thinking about in 2025?

According to the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Future of Job’s Report, the most transformative trend we’re facing at the moment is the broadening of digital access – and this is fuelled by things like AI, information processing and automation. 

Not only is AI making processes quicker, but it’s creating demand for new specialisations like big data, cybersecurity and technological literacy. Plus, it’s making things easier for portfolio professionals because it allows you to automate your admin, giving you more time to focus on the parts of your job that you love doing.

The most in-demand skills are also changing. In fact, workers can expect 39% of their existing skillsets to be transformed or outdated over the next five years. It’s no surprise that the most in-demand skills of 2025 are soft skills.

Most in-demand soft skills of 2025

Analytical thinking

Emotional intelligence

Resilience

Leadership

Social influence

Adaptability

Intellectual curiosity

Collaboration

Trendy career specialisations of 2025

AI engineering

Digital services

Care work and social work

Computer sciences

Sustainability and climate change mitigation

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)

That’s not to mention the growth in fractional leadership and the rising call for business mentors. There are so many things you can get involved with this year and new skills you can explore.

So are you ready to embrace everything 2025 holds and tackle the future head on? Here are six ways you can future-proof your portfolio career.

1. Have a professional development strategy

If the global workforce was made up of 100 people, 59 of them would need training or upskilling by 2030 (according to the World Economic Forum).

Luckily, portfolio professionals are able to offer lots of different services and specialisations, meaning you don’t have to change what you do completely. Instead, think about what you could add to your toolkit that allows you to tap into these emerging trends.

The good news is that there are plenty of easy-to-access courses that allow you to learn things quickly – and most of them are free (or at least affordable).

So how can you make learning part of your 2025 strategy?

Block out time for your development.

Spend at least an hour a week building new skills or industry awareness by listening to podcasts, taking courses or reading articles.

Explore micro learning.

Sites like LinkedIn Learning, Coursera and Udemy are great for short burst learning, with bite-sized lessons that can fit seamlessly into your day.

Invest in the next stage of your career.

Our Catapult course is great for anyone who wants to refine their focus or build a stronger career foundation. Or maybe you’re interested in mentoring business leaders? Then something like our Mentorship Programme would be a great investment.

2. Brush up on your digital literacy

Not everyone is tech-savvy, and that’s OK. But technology is constantly changing, so it helps to know what’s going on, especially if you’re working with startups or scaleups.

According to Cloud Security Alliance, 98% of organisations worldwide use cloud-based services. In 2024, Google Workspace had over 6 million paying business customers and over 500,000 businesses worldwide currently use Zoom.

That’s not to say that you have to be an expert on every software or tool that your clients use, but it helps to have a basic knowledge so it’s easier for you to integrate into their day-to-day operations.

Technology can also be a massive productivity boost for your business, which brings us to our next point.

3. Think of AI as your productivity superpower

Whilst fears of a global robot takeover still linger in the back of our collective subconscious, we’re beginning to realise that AI isn’t here to replace human roles. It’s here to augment them. 

Afonso Pereira © The Portfolio Collective

So think of AI like a productivity partner and look into how it can free you up from repetitive tasks. That way, you can focus on the strategic and creative parts of your job rather than getting bogged down in the boring stuff.

Plus, being a bit more AI-savvy can work in your favour. According to Fiverr’s 2024 UK Future Workforce Index, 80% of businesses are willing to pay an average of 45% higher wages to candidates who have AI expertise. So it helps to know how to use it to your advantage.

4. Develop in your personal brand

Finding work is tough. And with 75% of roles existing in the hidden job market, it’s never been more important to stand out. In other words, you need a killer personal brand.

Your brand is how you communicate what you do (and why you do it) to potential clients – and it’s the thing that people will remember you for. 

Afonso Pereira © The Portfolio Collective

So you want to get it right. Not only will it help you stand out in a crowded marketplace, but it will shape how people perceive you. And it’s the best way to build trust and establish your expertise.

As you go into 2025, take a look at how you present your brand and your business online. Ask yourself:

What do I want to be known for?

What am I passionate about?

Why do I do what I do?

What values shape my decisions and actions?

What makes what I do different from everyone else?

People buy from individuals or brands that they know, like and trust – and the best way to build that trust is by telling your story and demonstrating your passion (which we talk about quite a bit in our Personal Branding Masterclass).

We’ve got some great articles on building your personal brand to help you get started – and feel free to ask some of the branding experts in our community for tips if you get stuck!

5. Grow a meaningful and authentic network

Portfolio professionals don’t find work the same way traditional employees do. We rely on referrals and recommendations, which is why your network is so important.

It’s more than just a list of LinkedIn connections – it’s your community. So the more you build your tribe, the more insight, mentorship and opportunity you have access to.

And with more companies embracing fractional and flexible talent than ever before, it can be the thing that gets you in front of the right people and opportunities.

If you want to strengthen your network, we recommend:

Checking in with your current connections.

Schedule coffee chats and send a few voice notes or WhatsApp messages. It’s all about staying top of mind and nurturing those relationships.

Getting yourself out there.

Join some new communities and start attending events (either virtual or in person). You never know who you might meet!

Be visible on LinkedIn.

This is all part of building your brand, so share content, comment on posts and engage with other like-minded people.

6. Find your collaborators

Contrary to popular belief, being a freelancer or contractor doesn’t mean you have to work alone. In fact, freelance collaboration is on the rise, and it’s changing the way we think about the gig economy.

Team-based freelancing is when portfolio professionals join forces to tackle larger, more complex projects. This means projects get completed faster and to a higher standard, which is a win-win for everyone involved.

An example of this would be a designer and a copywriter working together on a rebrand project, or a project manager, developer and UX/UI designer building a mobile app.

Not only does it allow you to tackle bigger projects, but it reduces burnout because the responsibility is shared. So our advice is to build relationships with trusted professionals you can call on for future projects.

We’re a community of experts - so let us know if you need help getting future fit

It goes without saying that we’re here to help you thrive in your portfolio career. So if you want to know more about any of the skills or specialisations mentioned in this article, just ask! There’s sure to be someone in our community who can help you out.

Keep learning. Build your network. And make sure to let the world know what you do. And don’t forget to come along to our next Community Networking – it’s a great space to chat with other portfolio professionals about these trends and topics.

We can’t wait to see what you accomplish this year. See you in the community!

Think this sounds like the right path for you? Come along to our monthly Get started event for new members to find out what a portfolio career could look like and how The Portfolio Collective can help you take those first steps towards professional success – and don’t forget to connect with our community!

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