This week, Cathy (not her real name) told me that she’s always known her role wasn’t indispensable. Oddly, management made a point of making that known, yet the emotional toll of the sudden exit after 20+ years in the one organisation was immense.
Our session was a safe place to let out the anger, disappointment, and resentment. Soon, we will move past fiction and gather accurate, valid information about the change to get as clear a picture of her reality as possible, and to start creating new chapters in her life.
My favourite two quotes from the article “Love Your Career, Not the Company: 31 Years of Loyalty Isn’t Layoff-Proof” by Peter Web tie nicely in with a few of the activities I shared with clients like Cathy:
“Your employer is a chapter. Your career is the book.”
“Companies optimise for quarters; careers span decades.”
Loyalty Doesn’t Always Go Two Ways
Over the years, there’s been no shortage of LinkedIn posts from new hires showing off their corporate goody bag, with a branded mug, mouse pad, and ill-fitting t-shirt. I’ll admit that these were met with a touch of cynicism.
I absolutely get the excitement, I really do, and I still own various bits and bobs from my days at BP (I still have my pass from the 2012 Olympics). But time moves on, the t-shirt fades, demand for resources changes, and suddenly there’s a chance you’re not included in the next quarter’s budget.
Even those who are self-employed aren’t protected; if anything, they’re even more exposed. This is why it’s strategically imperative to stop confusing loyalty with security and instead build career resilience.
6 Ways to “Layoff-Proof” Your Career
Inspired by Peter’s article, these hard lessons, here are the non-negotiable steps we should all be taking before we’re asked to pack up our desks for the final time:
- Run Your Career Like a Product: Define a roadmap for your skills, not just your performance review. Where will your expertise be in 12 months?
- Bank Transferable Skills: Focus on abilities that travel (e.g., clear communication, cross-functional leadership).
- Build an External Portfolio: Create an online portfolio (case studies, public talks, thought leadership) that showcases your expertise independently of your company email.
- Connect with Your Network: Nurture relationships by sharing insights and making introductions so your network knows your value before you need to use it.
- Practice Your Narrative: Treat interviews like a skill and practice your achievement stories regularly. Don’t wait until you’re panicking.
- Protect Your Finances: Know your true monthly expenses and build a financial buffer. This buys you the time needed to find the right next chapter, not just the first one.
To everyone navigating a transition right now, please remember your value doesn’t disappear when the email access ends. Your skills, resilience, and wisdom are the through-line to the next chapter in your career.
About the Author:
Amelia Brooke is a certified career transition coach, interview coach and CV writer who works with some of the world’s top professionals. Drawing on her background in recruitment and ability to uncover potential, she helps clients gain clarity, confidence, and direction, whether they’re changing industries, re-entering the workforce, or preparing for their next big move. Amelia specialises in helping individuals articulate their unique value through powerful career storytelling, enabling them to show up with authority and confidence.
