If you are in your twenties or thirties, you are welcome.
Job security is one of the most taken for granted luxury that we will only realize when it is lost. If you quit your job, you most likely have another job waiting for you, going for a sabbatical, won a lottery or married someone rich. What if your job quits on you instead?
As we progress through our careers, our wages rise and so does our age. As companies maneuver through good and bad times, it consolidates, trims and expands as it deems fit. The management who decides to retrench the middle management today are on the chopping board themselves tomorrow. It is becoming very common that long serving senior executives at the pinnacle of their careers are being asked to leave in order to reduce costs. Companies seek employees’ loyalty but yet do not give the same.
So what do you do?
1. The world as a global company, employers as different departments
It is not uncommon nowadays to have job rotations in a big multi national in order to expose staff to different skill sets. The typical duration of a rotation would be 2-3 years. So why not treat the world as a job rotation? While you are still young, move around. Moving around different companies exposes you to different industries, management styles, processes and so much more. You will realize what you pick up from different companies will shape you up as a professional and prepares you for the future. You might also discover your higher calling in life in the process of moving so. Some never ever find their calling but it is okie, I haven’t found mine as well if that comforts you.
2. Invest, Invest, Invest
Invest in yourself, upgrade your skills, stay relevant.
Invest in your health, eat healthy and exercise.
Invest your money to make them work for you.
You will be mentally and physically ready for the challenges in life, stay on top of the game to your current and next job. In the unfortunate event that you are retrenched, you have investments churning passive income that will bring food to the table.
3. Working for yourself
At the end of the whole day, one is only answerable and responsible to self. The happiest individuals I have met always have some kind of side income going on for them with their day jobs being supplementary income or just as a social activity. There was this story of a 9-5 worker who suddenly became very efficient at work, being really honest at meetings and just shutting down all office politics. When the manager queried the reason for the change, it was all because the employee had won lottery and suddenly the job became supplementary income. I am not suggesting you go buy powerball/toto or 4D but look within yourself for a skill/talent/asset that could earn you side income. You might enjoy driving so Uber, Lyft or Grab can be considered. You might have an extra room in the house that can be put up for airBnB. You might enjoy writing so a blog with adsense will earn you advertising dollars. You might enjoy travelling so you can consider being a mystery hotel reviewer or writing a travel guide.
As they say: the sky is the limit, your only limitation is yourself.
Start now, not regret later. Good luck.
In related post, 2 kinds of bosses before calling it quits.