How to Evaluate Long-Term Career Stability

Getting the job you really want has never been easy. Keeping the job you already have is a source of increasing anxiety for many. According to a national survey by Insight Global, nearly 80% of employees expressed fear over losing their jobs, with almost a quarter of American workers indicating they are extremely worried about job loss. Those worries may not be ill-founded: in a recent survey of 900 companies by Resume Builder, nearly four in ten said they are likely to have layoffs in 2024. As mass layoffs, buyouts and company restructurings have become increasingly common, job security really has become a thing of the past. Your career “preventive maintenance” is your responsibility. I recommend taking a proactive stance toward your employment situation by performing a personal career check-up every six months. Consider the following 7 checkpoints to ensure you're not caught off guard by unforeseen challenges: 1. Job Satisfaction: Reflect on whether you still find fulfillment in your role. Assess if your current responsibilities align with your passion and skills. 2. Personal Goals and Objectives: Regularly evaluate if you're making progress toward your personal career objectives. This self-assessment ensures that your professional journey remains aligned with your aspirations. 3. Company Stability: Keep an eye on the overall stability of your company. Changes in leadership, financial health, or market dynamics can impact your job security. 4. Advancement Opportunities: Assess the availability of growth prospects within your current organization. Consider if there are opportunities for upward mobility that match your career goals. 5. Respect and Recognition: Gauge the level of respect you receive from both management and colleagues. A positive workplace environment contributes significantly to long-term job satisfaction and security. 6. Exploring External Opportunities: Periodically explore the job market to stay informed about potential opportunities elsewhere. This knowledge empowers you to make informed decisions about your career path. 7. Resource Preparedness: Be proactive in preparing for unexpected termination. Ensure your skills are up-to-date, maintain a robust professional network, and have contingency plans in place. By regularly checking in on these aspects of your professional journey, you're not just gearing up for potential challenges – you're also shaping yourself as someone who can roll with the punches and understands the importance of making the best of ever-changing circumstances. “We can create the ultimate job security by becoming less dependent on the organization for which we work and more dependent on our own resources.” - Bo Bennett #employment #layoffs #jobsecurity #careermanagement Image Credit: Brainyquote.com

One of my coaching clients just called me with a career dilemma. "Marcus, I have three offers on the table. One pays $25K more than the others. It's a no brainer, right?" Wrong. Over the last decade, I've watched too many sales professionals chase the highest initial offer only to burn out, get laid off, or quit within 12 months. Why? Because they never looked at the full picture. Here's the exact decision framework I shared with him (and use myself): 1️⃣ Leadership Quality: Will your direct boss push you to grow? Will they advocate for you? Will they teach you? The quality of your leader will impact your career trajectory more than any other factor. 2️⃣ Company Trajectory: Is this company on the way up or down? What's their financial position? What's their reputation in the market? A 10% pay bump means nothing if the company does layoffs in 6 months. 3️⃣ Values Alignment: Can you authentically represent this company? Do they make decisions you respect? Will you be proud to tell people where you work? 4️⃣ Growth Ceiling: What's the highest position you could realistically achieve at this company? What skills will you develop? How marketable will you be in 3 years? 5️⃣ Work-Life Integration: Will this role support the life you want to build? Will it demand 80-hour weeks? Will it require constant travel? My client ended up taking the middle offer ($150K) because the leadership was elite, the company was growing 70% YoY, and the path to director was clear. The right career decisions compound over time. $25K might seem like a lot today, but the right leadership, skills, and trajectory can be worth millions over your career. Make decisions with the long term in mind. — Hey sales pro…are you prepping for a job interview? Lemme help you: https://lnkd.in/gQvZJZsk

I’ve got an offer from Microsoft. eBay has offered a better sign-on bonus. Looks like Salesforce is also ready to match. Which one should I take? I received this message from a client who needed help in deciding on the right job offer. While it’s a great problem to have, it’s also one of the most misunderstood. When people get multiple offers, they tend to focus only on salary or brand name. But the right question is: Which offer creates the strongest compound return for your career? Here’s how I walk clients through offer selection (especially in tech): 1. Assess the 24-month runway → Will you still be learning and growing 2 years from now, or will you plateau after 6 months? → Will this team give you mentorship or treat you like a fire extinguisher? 2. Study the team structure & decision-making power → Are you working in a core product org or a side initiative that could shut down tomorrow? → Will you own features, influence roadmaps, or be a ticket-taker? 3. Check the track record for promotions → How long do people usually stay in your level before moving up? → Ask: “Who was the last person in this role and where are they now?” 4. Evaluate long-term visa & location safety (especially for international hires) → H-1B sponsorship, green card timelines, internal mobility not all companies are equal. → Get clarity upfront so you don’t scramble later. 5. Don’t forget: your manager > your brand → A great manager will open doors for you. → A bad one will block your growth, erode your confidence, and slow your career down. My client didn’t take the highest offer. She took the smartest one. Today, she’s working at a top company, and she’s thriving there. 📌 Save this if you're comparing offers. Repost if you know someone who's comparing multiple offers. P.S. Follow me if you are a job seeker in the U.S. I share practical advice to help you land your dream role.