Instead of quitting quietly, it might be time to create a career cushion even if you're enjoying your work. Let us explain.
With a new round of layoffs making news every day and the Bank of England predicting a recession, you may be concerned about your job security. A new professional fad making the rounds on LinkedIn is career cushioning. It's called "career padding" at work, and it's understandable why people like the concept of having backup plans in case their firm fails or they are fired.
The Great Resignation happened first, followed by quiet quitting. The buzzword you need to know in the workplace right now is "career cushioning." Career cushioning is a kind of psychological pivot: you come before your job, similar to silent resigning. Even while you're still dedicated to your current position, you're considering what's essential to you, your areas of passion, and the potential paths your network and experiences may open up for you. Undoubtedly, there are people looking right now. Similar advice is given by Martin: "You need to be doing something every day that leads you in the direction of your goals. The dream is nourished, and it grows. Additionally, having a few backup plans in your back pocket is always a good career move.
The practise of quietly setting up a Plan B while still employed is known as career padding. The phrase "cushioning" originates from the dating scene, where people who are in relationships soften the blow of a breakup by leaving their options open for new partnerships. With digital behemoths like Twitter, Meta, and Amazon making headlines for thousands of layoffs, and the rest of us feeling a little uneasy about our own job security, it's easy to understand why this term has entered the workplace dialogue.
No need to feel bad at first. I think it absurd that many people believe looking for work when already employed is cheating on a corporation. Nevertheless, career cushioning mainly entails light job hunting, and after-work hours is the ideal time to conduct tasks like networking and job board browsing. Be moral, and attempt to complete your study during lunch.
Are you ready to use a hidden cushion? Here are three crucial actions:
1. Assess your skills and develop those you might be lacking in order to land your next big job.
2. Keep in touch with your network; you never know when someone could require someone just like you to fill a position.
3. Plan out what you’d like your career to look like in the future. Get ahead of the game by thinking about where you want to go next, before you have to.
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