What is Career Cushioning?
Are you scared of being laid off? Check the article to nurture your Career to skip the current scenario…
Whether the economy is in a slump or you’ve heard rumours that the company you work for is having financial troubles, you may be wondering how to keep your job. Many employees exercise career cushioning to guarantee they are adding value to their business and expanding their skill set.
If the phrase is unknown to you, keep reading to find out what it is and how you might apply it in your job. Regardless of your present job security, it’s always nice to know you’re prepared if the worst-case scenario comes.
Career cushioning is the practice of preparing for probable unemployment. It is referred to as “cushioning” since it is used to insulate oneself from the terrible experience of an unexpected job loss while you still have a job.
The truth is that job stability is not guaranteed no matter how hard you work. Taking steps to keep your options open while creating a buffer for whatever direction the economy takes is what career cushioning entails.
Consider the plan to be an insurance policy that will help you to succeed regardless of the economic circumstances. The good news is that you do not need to wait for an emergency to implement it. If you are unhappy with your current career path, you can pursue it as an alternative.
How Can You Cushion Your Career?
You can protect your career by taking one or more of the following steps.
1.Think About Hiring a Career Coach
A career coach can help you fine-tune your resume and LinkedIn profile so that potential employers and head hunters notice you. They can also assist you by coaching you through effective job search and networking strategies and conducting mock interviews with you.
Working with a career coach can improve your number of interviews, the quality of job offers you receive, and your starting salary. Working with a coach can help you identify ego behaviours that are preventing you from achieving the career advancement you desire.
2. Maintain Your Network Connection
Consider your professional network to be a garden. It must be constantly maintained and nurtured. Throughout your career, your professional network will be your most valuable asset.
When practising career cushioning, you must keep in touch with your contacts on a regular basis. You don’t want to approach them simply because you need a favour.
“Remember that reciprocity is essential for successful networking relationships.”
3. Analyse Your Current Set of Skills
Taking stock of your current skills and looking for ways to develop and sharpen them is another great way to protect your career. Many of the skills you’ve developed in your current job can be applied to other occupations, industries, and workplaces.
You must be aware of your skill set in order to market yourself. Recruiters seek candidates with transferable skills.
You must first define what you have to offer an employer, whether you are currently employed or looking for new opportunities. Take stock of your hard and soft skills so you can market yourself effectively and identify any areas for improvement.
4. Stay with Current Industry Trends and Laws
If you’re thinking about changing industries. You can look at various careers and industries and see how they are expected to grow over the next decade.
Reading trade journals and magazines is another excellent way to stay current with industry trends. Business feeds can also be followed on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can tailor your feed so that you only see relevant content, which may save you time compared to reading trade journals.
Stay Ready for Opportunities!
Some may argue that planning for the worst is pessimistic, but failing to pivot when faced with unemployment can be a heavy burden. You don’t buy car insurance expecting to be in a car accident, but you know it’s a good thing to have in case one occurs.
Career cushioning can make you feel better about your current situation because you have a plan in place if you lose your job. Instead of being concerned about being downsized, think about what you can do to increase your value to your current employer or attract a better offer.
