How to bullet proof your career

In the not-too-distant past, moving up the corporate ladder provided management professionals with a bigger office, a stronger compensation package and a more secure future. But today, executives are told: Don't get too comfortable in that corner office and buy that fancy new car or boat you've always dreamed of—because your job is just as vulnerable as anyone else's. Evidence suggests that the higher up the ladder you go, the more precarious your position can be! Attitudes towards executives and the role they play in companies have changed drastically in recent years. I have seen managers who have been with the same company for 20 years or more. They worked their way up the company ladder and felt they had proven their worth – then were unceremoniously fired from their positions as if they had just been hired as an entry-level worker. As a career counselor, my job is to re-instill the client's confidence, identify their strengths and "repackage" this individual for the current job market. But in order to effectively navigate the career transition process and ultimately make your career bulletproof, you must first be informed about what's really going on in the working world. I see several important trends taking place with respect to stability and job security in leadership positions, including: TODAY'S CHALLENGING EMPLOYMENT TRENDS Labor market trend 1: More and more positions, even at senior levels, are now offered on a contract or temporary basis. In these cases, the position lasts only as long as necessary to fulfill the employer's contract with its client. This requires job seekers to think differently – more like an independent consultant working on assignment – ​​rather than a permanent employee. In many business sectors and industries, it could be said that the "full-time permanent job" as we knew it no longer exists. This trend also puts the onus on the executive to consistently promote and market themselves for the next opportunity – and the one after that! Labor market trend 2: Companies are still very circumspect and cautious in making any hiring decisions for high-paying, senior management positions. Executives seeking such employment must now "sell" themselves more than in the past. They need to demonstrate how they will increase the productivity, efficiency and profitability of the company - otherwise they will likely not get the offer. This means that a job seeker really needs to learn how to effectively present and sell themselves. It is enough to have the right job positions forIn the not-too-distant past, moving up the corporate ladder provided management professionals with a bigger office, a stronger compensation package and a more secure future. But today, executives are told: Don't get too comfortable in that corner office and buy that fancy new car or boat you've always dreamed of—because your job is just as vulnerable as anyone else's. Evidence suggests that the higher up the ladder you go, the more precarious your position can be! Attitudes towards executives and the role they play in companies have changed drastically in recent years. I have seen managers who have been with the same company for 20 years or more. They worked their way up the company ladder and felt they had proven their worth – then were unceremoniously fired from their positions as if they had just been hired as an entry-level worker. As a career counselor, my job is to re-instill the client's confidence, identify their strengths and "repackage" this individual for the current job market. But in order to effectively navigate the career transition process and ultimately make your career bulletproof, you must first be informed about what's really going on in the working world. I see several important trends taking place with respect to stability and job security in leadership positions, including: TODAY'S CHALLENGING EMPLOYMENT TRENDS Labor market trend 1: More and more positions, even at senior levels, are now offered on a contract or temporary basis. In these cases, the position lasts only as long as necessary to fulfill the employer's contract with its client. This requires job seekers to think differently – more like an independent consultant working on assignment – ​​rather than a permanent employee. In many business sectors and industries, it could be said that the "full-time permanent job" as we knew it no longer exists. This trend also puts the onus on the executive to consistently promote and market themselves for the next opportunity – and the one after that! Labor market trend 2: Companies are still very circumspect and cautious in making any hiring decisions for high-paying, senior management positions. Executives seeking such employment must now "sell" themselves more than in the past. They need to demonstrate how they will increase the productivity, efficiency and profitability of the company - otherwise they will likely not get the offer. This means that a job seeker really needs to learn how to effectively present and sell themselves. It is enough to have the right job positions for