A couple weeks ago, I wrote a post titled Career Insurance.
I’ve had conversations with several people about the post and the concept.
This got me thinking even deeper about the topic.
In the post, I suggested those in their 40s start considering their personal career insurance.
Now, I think this is something we should be doing at any age.
We will be working longer (possibly much longer) than our parents.
The job market for knowledge workers has an instability that continues to be more challenging.
In fact, this piece of research suggests that 70% of employees are bracing for layoffs.
A challenge is that no one is helping us plan for how to “brace ourselves”.
5 Steps to Insuring Our Career
The five ideas below will put you on the path to control your stability in an unstable environment.
1. Understand Your Finances
The research mentioned above found that, if laid off today, 24% of workers would run out of money within two weeks based on current spending and 40% would run out in a month. Having a clear view of our spending and “financial floor” is an important first step in creating a solid insurance plan.
2. Prepare Core Documents
An obvious component of career insurance is often overlooked. Keeping your career history, resume, and career stories up to date is key to having a jump start on a job search. Every 3-6 months, plan to spend a few hours updating files with work completed, case studies, and results. Consider stories in the STAR format.
3. Develop a Personal Brand
Define your personal brand – your core strengths, what you want to be known for, and the vision for your future. Create a strong online presence through LinkedIn, a personal website, or a blog. Highlighting your skills, achievements, and industry knowledge can help establish you as a thought leader, making it easier for potential employers or collaborators to find and recognize your value.
4. Expand Your Professional Network
We shouldn’t be building relationships just when we have an ask. Build meaningful connections with colleagues, industry experts, and mentors, both within and outside your organization. Engage in networking events, LinkedIn, online communities, and informational interviews to stay aware of new opportunities and trends.
5. Create a “Career Insurance” Action Plan
Develop a structured plan that outlines your career goals, potential risks, and actions to mitigate those risks. This could include milestones for upskilling, networking targets, or a timeline for achieving specific professional goals. Revisiting and refining this plan regularly can help you stay on track and adapt as circumstances evolve.
Your Turn
Have you taken steps to ensure your career?
Which of the 5 ideas above resonate with you?
How could you take steps this month to provide increased security?