| Hello, Buddy!
Has someone ever broken up with you using that lazy ass line? – “It’s me. It’s not you”.
Ah, one guy used this line on me when I was in Uni. Omo! I wept like my whole life was gunna end 😂. So when I saw the news about Google parent laying off 12,000 employees globally and Microsoft’s plan to lay off 10k staff this year, in my head, I was like, “Bloody heartbreakers!”
If you get fired, it’s probably because of something YOU did but if you get laid off, it’s oftentimes due to a change in the company that couldn’t accommodate you. Either way, it hurts to lose a job especially if you didn’t see it coming.
2020-2021 was the year of the Great resignation. 2022 was the year of Quiet quitting. And while these revolutions are still ongoing, I recommend that 2023 should also be the year of CAREER CUSHIONING for you.
Thousands of people are going to lose their jobs this year. I know you don’t want to be in that category but….what if it happens to you? WHAT. WILL. YOU. DO?
Okay…here are some interesting facts I discovered about Layoffs according to this LinkedIn Article by Ben Zweig
- Companies exhibit a considerable prejudice against new employees when choosing who to lay off, resulting in a “Last-In, First-Out” structure
- Recruiters are substantially more affected by layoffs than other professions
- The shiny & expensive employees are also most likely to get the boot
- Millennials are more likely to experience layoffs than other age groups
Now, I’m not trying to be the harbinger of bad news but have you asked yourself, “What are the odds that I’ll get laid off this year?”
- Are your resume, portfolio, and other Job search tools fully updated and professionally done? [ You might want to give your CV the facelift it needs here]
- Do you belong to any solid networking community and Job board?
- Do you have a beautiful life outside work? Or work is your all in all?
- Do you have an emergency fund? Is your salary insured? Abi you eat with your 10 fingers? [I piri you…]
…In summary, all I am trying to ask you is, have you started cushioning your career? ‘Cos here are the odds that you might be part of a layoff this year;
- Your company has zero plans to hire new employees or replace the ones that left
- Drastic cost-cutting measures are being implemented across all departments.
- Your workload has become ridiculously lighter [Like you’re not doing anything significant]
- Salaries are being cut
- You’ve been placed on a PIP [Performance Improvement Plan]
- Your role or department isn’t contributing to growth or revenue.
- An AI tool can now do your job better, cheaper, and faster
- Your organization has simply over-hired and now, they can’t afford you due to the economic downturn
- Management seems to be in a frenzy lately and no one is saying anything about it.
This list is not exhaustive but it’s a good place to start reflecting on the durability of your career life.
Truth is, no matter how hard you work, job security in this era is no longer guaranteed. Does this mean you should start living in fear & paranoia? Hell no!
It means it’s time to switch strategies by actively ensuring that you’re cushioning your career daily AKA operation soft landing. The best time to start practicing career cushioning was yesterday. The next best time is now.
Don’t sleep! Wake up!
|
