Here’s an article with the title of Five Rules for Job Security from the CBS Moneywatch site.
But in fact they are not about giving you job security. Nobody can do that. Instead, these rules are about
- mitigating the effects of job loss and
- protecting your financial security in the event of job loss.
The distinction is important. These days you can’t count on job security, although it makes a great headline.
The story opens with an anecdote about a marketing executive who was unexpectedly laid off. Fortunately, he had already started a part-time Internet business. He was able to bring in enough revenue to keep paying the bills till he found another job.
What the article doesn’t add is that having this financial security probably gave this man an edge when he applied fora new job. Employers tend to hire people who are confident. I like to think that getting a job is like getting a bank loan. It’s easier when you don’t need it.
This man’s approach, along witih the other techniques proposed in the article, seem to suggest creating a form of career insurance. By way of analogy, when someone steals a precious possession, your insurance allows you to replace it. Nothing guarantees that your object won’t be lost stolen. But insurance can mitigate the damage.
I’d be happy to talk to you about ways to develop your own career insurance. Click here to learn more about my services.