Don't Expect a Gold Watch

Some of us remember a time (before the 1980’s) when landing a corporate job provided a long-term sense of security. Seniority sometimes even trumped performance when promotions were handed out. Employees who had “paid their dues” worked 9 to 5, perhaps enjoying a 2-martini lunch mid-day. Many people aspired to stay with a company from college graduation to retirement, and looked forward to being presented with gold watch from a company grateful for their loyalty and 30-40 years of service.

No more. In the modern world of employment, it’s “every man for himself”. Corporations put the bottom line before any sincere sense of obligation for the livelihood of their employees. Workers are always looking for a better opportunity, and have made job-hopping de rigueur. Right or wrong – the norms have changed. Corporations respond to pressure from investors and financial analysts, squeezing operations for profit, and outsourcing jobs. Workers have experienced the extremes of booms like the explosive growth of dot.com enterprises in the 90’s – and the bust of economic disaster, followed by corporate transformations and layoffs that started in 2008.

How can you navigate the new norm successfully and ethically?

KEEP GROWING: A good education and continued learning and growth are paramount to your survival in the corporate world. If you stand still, misfortune may be gaining on you.

BE PREPARED: Keep your resume current, and pay attention to opportunities in your area of expertise and interest. Don’t be hesitant to occasionally test the waters by going on a job interview and/or talking to a recruiter.

NETWORK RELENTLESSLY: When you are looking for a new job, it will most likely be found through your personal or professional network. Meet people. Develop relationships. GIVE before you find yourself in a situation where you may need to TAKE help.

EMBRACE CHANGE: Change is inevitable and ever-present. Be flexible and open to opportunity. Jump at chances to show what you can contribute. If it’s time to move on, take comfort in the very real possibility that the grass might actually be greener on the other side.

The era of feeling entitled to spend decades with the same company is gone forever. There is no reward of a gold watch for our loyalty. That’s really not a bad thing, but it sure does keep us all on our toes!