Your Job Security Is a Myth—Here’s What to Do Instead
Sam’s hands were shaking as he reread the email.
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"We’re making structural changes to stay competitive."
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It didn’t say layoffs. It didn’t have to.
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Sam had given ten years to this company. He worked late nights, hit every goal, and trained new hires. He assumed that loyalty and hard work would keep him safe.
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Until suddenly, they didn’t.
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?? At the time of writing this, over 242,000 people have just filed for unemployment.
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Some saw it coming. Most didn’t.
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That’s when Sam called me.
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"I thought I was safe." His voice was quiet. “Now what?”
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I let his words sit for a moment.
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Then I told him what I tell every client in this situation:
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?? "You don’t wait for clarity. You create it."
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And that’s exactly what we did.
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Think Your Job Is Secure? Here’s Why It Might Not Be
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Sam was good at his job. But being good at your job isn’t enough anymore.
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Companies don’t make decisions based on tenure. They don’t decide who to keep based on who works the hardest.
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?? They prioritize adaptability, visibility, and strategic value.
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Sam’s first instinct was to panic. I didn’t let him.
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Instead, I walked him through a strategic plan to make sure that no matter what happened, he was in control of his next move.
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?? Here’s what we do know:
? The job market is shifting right now.
? Some companies are hiring, while others are cutting back.
? The people who stay ahead aren’t the ones who wait.
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Sam wasn’t going to be one of the people caught off guard.
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How Sam Pivoted & Landed a Better Job—Step-by-Step Guide
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Instead of worrying about what he couldn’t control, I had him focus on what he could.
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? Step 1: We made sure people knew his value.
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?? “But I’m not the type of person to brag about myself.”
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I hear this all the time. Being visible isn’t bragging—it’s ensuring people understand your value.
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If you don’t make your contributions clear, someone else will take credit for them.
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? Step 2: We built his network before he needed it.
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?? “But networking feels forced.”
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I get it. But real networking isn’t about asking for favors—it’s about relationships.
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The best time to build those relationships? Before you need them.
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? Step 3: We explored opportunities before he was forced to.
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?? “I don’t have time for all this.”
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Neither did Sam. But he made time—because he realized that waiting wasn’t a strategy.
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If you can spend hours on your job, you can spend minutes securing your future.
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The Career Pivot That Paid Off—Could This Be You?
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About 50 days later, Sam sent me an email with the subject line:
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“You won’t believe this.”
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Then, the email came.
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But this time, it wasn’t bad news.
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It was a recruiter. And the offer? Better than anything Sam imagined.
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Sam didn’t just keep his job—he landed a better one.
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?? “This probably worked for Sam, but I’m in a different situation.”
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Maybe. But I’ve seen this work across industries, job levels, and career stages.
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The common factor? The people who take action before they have to—win.
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Your Next Career Move: Are You Waiting or Taking Control?
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Sam’s success wasn’t luck. It wasn’t just timing.
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It was a strategy.
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And if you’re reading this, you have the same opportunity right now.
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Instead of waiting for the next big shift at work, ask yourself:
? Who knows my value outside my direct team?
? When was the last time I connected with someone in my field?
? If my role disappeared tomorrow, would I already have options?
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If you don’t like your answers, now is the time to change them.
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Career Change Ahead? Here’s How to Stay Ahead of Layoffs
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The best career moves don’t come from job boards.
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They come from conversations, relationships, and being in the right rooms.
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? Be visible in your field. Share insights, speak up, and show your expertise.
? Connect with decision-makers before you need them. Start conversations, not job applications.
? Position yourself so new opportunities come to you. The people who do this don’t just survive workplace changes—they thrive in them.
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?? Most people wait until it’s too late.
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Sam didn’t. That’s why he didn’t just keep his job—he upgraded his career.
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P.S.
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Not everyone needs a paid career coach—and I want to be clear about who should go where for support.
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? If you’re a veteran, transitioning service member, or military spouse, you likely qualify for free career services through a nonprofit that specializes in helping military-affiliated individuals with career transitions.
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?? If you qualify, I strongly encourage you to take advantage of these free resources.
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? If you are a mid-career professional, executive, or someone looking for personalized, high-level career strategy, and you’re ready to take control of your next career move, I offer one-on-one coaching and consulting tailored to your goals.
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?? Don’t wait until you’re forced to make a move—take control now.
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?? Still have questions? For private coaching inquiries, email me directly at:
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Still Serving to Enable the Warfighter | Operational Planner
1 周Truly supportive of all who continue and may face a difficult transifion in the coming year. Federal Employment once felt stable (at least once you made it past a probationary level). It provides and grounding and great benefits for many. It allows veterans like myself to continue to serve. The feeling of the potential of getting the rug pulled out from under you from jobs and working with teams that we truly enjoy is scary. Regardless of one’s feelings towards everything going off, the extent of the Federal workforce reduction is unprecedented and hasn’t been seen to an extent close to this in quite some time. I updated my Linkedin profile to “open to work” to be on the safe side should I be RIF’d. As April Ogden rightly alludes to, you have to be ready for that transition…#transition #employment