You might be concerned about how to keep your job if the economy is dire or if you have heard reports that the company you work for is having financial problems. Many workers engage in career cushioning to make sure they are adding value to their employers and developing their skill set.
What is career cushioning?
Career cushioning is the act of making a backup plan for unexpected unemployment. Because it is intended to protect yourself from the unpleasant effects of an unanticipated job loss while you still have a job, many refer to it as cushioning.
The truth is that job stability is not guaranteed, no matter how hard you work. Taking steps to maintain your options while building a safety net for the direction the economy is headed is important.
Career cushioning may be summed up as attempting to increase stability in your professional life and being ready for the unexpected, whether you’re beginning to be ready for a job hunt or actively looking for a new position that seems more stable.
Why is career cushioning necessary?
Reviewing your current professional status and considering your choices for developing your talents and acquiring new experiences is always a good idea. It could be time to start considering the next steps for your career if you are feeling concerned about the economy or industry.
It would be better for you to begin living with a proactive approach to life and work rather than reacting when your job disappears. Some professionals use the idea of “career cushioning”, which is prepping yourself with and establishing the relevant networks to reduce the effects of a potential job loss or deal with the dread of a sudden layoff when conditions are difficult and are a part of an unanticipated challenge. Even the tiniest step in the right direction can result in tremendous long-term career success.
Stay ready for opportunities
Although it may seem pessimistic to plan for the worse, not being able to change course when faced with unemployment can be a tremendous weight. You don’t purchase auto insurance to be involved in a collision, but you are aware that it is a useful asset to have in case one does occur.
Because you have a backup plan in case you lose your work, career cushioning can make you feel better about your current circumstances. Instead of stressing about being laid off, think about how you can make yourself more valuable to your current job or get a better offer.
How to go about career cushioning
You can take one or more of the following steps to cushion your career for the future.
Conduct a professional SWOT analysis
You might wish to conduct a professional SWOT analysis after analysing your present skill set to determine where you stand. Look at the internal aspects, such as your talents and limitations, that you bring to situations. Take into account your routines, background, and hard and soft skills.
Threats and opportunities are examples of external influences that might be related to the influence of coworkers, superiors, rivals, the industry, and work culture. Learn what a SWOT analysis is and how it can benefit your personal growth if you haven’t done one before.
You might wish to conduct a professional SWOT analysis after analyzing your present skill set to determine where you stand. Look at the internal aspects, such as your talents and limitations, that you bring to situations. Take into account your routines, background, and hard and soft skills.
Threats and opportunities are examples of external influences that might be related to the influence of coworkers, superiors, rivals, the industry, and work culture. Learn what a SWOT analysis is and how it can benefit your personal growth if you haven’t done one before.
Consider working with a career coach
To help you stand out to companies and headhunters, a career coach can help you polish your resume and LinkedIn profile. They can also guide you through successful job-search and networking techniques and perform practice interviews with you.
The quantity of interviews you land, the calibre of job offers you obtain, and your starting pay might all improve as a result of your work with a career coach. You can uncover self-defeating habits that are keeping you from achieving the job development you’ve been aiming for by working with a coach.
Assess your current skill set
Another great method to protect your career is to assess your present skill set and look for opportunities to improve and hone it. Many of the abilities you have developed in your current position are transferable to new jobs, markets, and organizations.
To promote oneself, you must be aware of your skill set. Employers with transferable qualities are sought after by recruiters.
You should begin by outlining what you can offer an employer, regardless of whether you have a job now or are prepared to explore your work options in the future. Make a list of both your hard and soft abilities, so you can sell yourself and see what you need to work on.
After evaluating your abilities, you might want to go over your resume to make sure you have emphasised the abilities that potential employers are seeking. Finding more about the hard and soft abilities to list on your resume may pique your interest.
