Protect your career

Ascending the corporate ladder in the not-too-distant past meant a bigger office, a better remuneration package, and a more secure future for management professionals. Executives are now being warned: Don't get too comfortable in that corner office, and don't purchase that flashy new vehicle or boat you've always wanted - because your job is just as insecure as everyone else's. According to research, the further you climb the corporate ladder, the more dangerous your job becomes! In recent years, the public's perception of CEOs and the roles they play in businesses has shifted dramatically. I've met executives who have spent 20 years or more with the same firm. They'd climbed the corporate ladder and thought they'd shown themselves.

They were then abruptly fired from their employment, as if they had just been employed as an entry-level employee. It is my responsibility as a Career Consultant to re-establish a client's confidence, discover his or her skills, and "re-package" that person for the current employment market. However, in order to successfully manage the job transition process and, eventually, make your career bulletproof, you must first be knowledgeable on what's really going on in the workplace. In terms of executive-level employment stability and security, I see several major themes emerging, including:

The First Job Market Trend:

Even at senior levels, more and more roles are being given on a contract or temporary basis. In many circumstances, the role lasts only as long as the employer's contract with their customer requires. Instead of thinking like a permanent employee, job seekers should think like an independent consultant working on assignment. In many economic sectors and industries, the "permanent, full-time employment" as we once knew it no longer exists. This tendency also places the CEO in charge of continually promoting and marketing oneself or herself for the next chance – and the one after that!

Second Job Market Trend:

Companies are still cautious and cautious when it comes to recruiting high-paying senior management roles. Executives looking for such positions now have to "sell themselves" more than in the past. They must show how they will increase the company's production, efficiency, and profitability - otherwise they will most likely be passed over for the position. This means that the job seeker must learn how to present and promote himself or herself successfully.