Got job security? No? Here’s 7 Career-Building Tips

There’s simply no such thing as job security.

Just recently we heard about General Motors (GM) closing auto plants due to slow consumer demand.  This story struck me—listening to long-term employees talk about their dashed hopes to retire from their one-and-only job.

When was the last time you heard of someone (younger than 45) who spent even 10 years at one company, let along an entire career?

And when was the last time you heard of someone spending 10 or 15 years at one place, having advanced time and time again within that same organization? Seems like the days of ‘starting out in the mail room and climbing to the board room’ are (way) over. Honestly, do companies even have mail rooms anymore?

Actually, the reality of long-term employment is over too, and has been over for many, many years.  Facts are that fully 75% of American Workers job hop—meaning they change jobs every 18 months or so.

And, January is the most common month employees change jobs with nearly 1 in 5 people finding new employment. So, right now is the time to reflect on your career and think about ways to take more control over your professional destiny.

Given that professionals can no longer look to ‘The Company’ to supply a road map for career development and advancement, it’s on the individual to ‘know thyself’ and take responsibility for developing a career ladder.

When there is no organizational or company ladder to climb, you must build your own stairway. But how can this be accomplished in the absence of using a formal structure within an organization or company?

For me, I did not follow a specific or ‘known’ career path within one company or organization. Over the years I’ve had (probably) 10 employers, counting myself as a self-employed consultant. However, I’ve managed to stitch together a very active, fulfilling and successful career, all hinging on my clinical credentials and staying focused within healthcare: I’ve been a pediatric floor nurse, an adult emergency medicine nurse, a wilderness and camp nurse, overseas travel medicine educator, academic, consultant, writer and speaker.

I’ve been lucky perhaps—all of my professional roles have been meaningful to me, (and hopefully to the patients and families I’ve served) even though I never had a ‘grand scheme’ to my career.

 And here’s what I’ve learned over the years about building a sustainable career following your values, interests, competencies:

1.      Be Opportunistic…Or highly Planned. I’ve always been highly opportunistic because I never had a grand plan, but some people have grand plans. Have a grand plan and stick to it—or be opportunistic. These tips work with either approach.

2.      Build a Strong and Positive Reputation. Your reputation will always have a bigger reach than you so make sure you conduct yourself with integrity, authenticity and grace.

3.      Have or Build Strong, Authentic Relationships. A network of ‘real contacts’ creates a community you can enter and exit as you need help and advice. Good people help you stay informed, connected and current.  

4.      Seek to Learn New Knowledge. Learning and stretching is a requirement for advancement. Passion and belief are important values, but without ‘knowing how to learn’ and acquiring new knowledge, then, professionally speaking, you’re dead in the water.

5.      Know Thyself. And to Thyself, Be True. At the core, make sure you know what you believe in…for me, it’s always (always) about what my father used to say: saving lives, stamping out disease. Even when that seems remote in my job, it’s always what drives me and keeps me anchored to my work.

6.      Cultivate Moxy. If you don’t step into territories that are uncomfortable, you’ll miss opportunity and insight. I routinely talk with people who I believe are more senior than me, or have more expertise, so that I can learn from them. It goes back to the old adage of, if you want to get better at tennis, play with someone better than yourself. Professionally speaking, play with people who are more experienced, more talented and more connected than you are. This will open doors like nothing else.

7.      Don’t Be Selfish. Don’t just take a job insincerely knowing you are going to leave it within 6-12 months. This is never appreciated by the hiring manager and can hurt your reputation. (See # 2 above.) It’s easy in this ‘grab-and-go’ job market to simply think of yourself. But hiring people takes time, money and burns emotional (and professional) good-will. So be considerate.

While, others might suggest things like ‘have a clear vision,’ or ‘set career goals,’ when talking about career planning, that sort of advice never meant anything to me...I’ve never had a ‘big vision’ for my career, nor am I one to set career goals, except on a short-term basis.

But if that advice helps, then by all means, take it. For me, it’s about staying true to what I believe in, finding work that’s interesting and stretches my intellect. And, importantly,  involves working with a group of thoughtful, generous and sane professionals (you know what I mean).  

There are many ways to live a life (I like to say), so make sure the work-life you are living is in harmony with your ‘whole self.’ By pursuing work that is simply an extension of your beliefs, values and interests, you are guaranteed to have a satisfying—and interesting—career!

About the author: Julie Kliger is recognized by LinkedIn as a "Top Voice" in Health Care in 2015 & 2106, & 2107. She is a Healthcare ‘Strategic Realist’ who is passionate about improving health care and improving lives. She specializes in future-oriented healthcare redesign, optimizing existing operations, implementing new care models and strategic change management. She is an advisor, management consultant, clinician, Board member, speaker and author.