Mobility is the new job security
Louisa Wong says that, in a global marketplace for talent, job security has less to do with not getting fired than the ability to get hired
In my line of work, job security is always a concern; all professionals who make career moves are looking not only for advancement, but also stability.
The traditional definition of job security was predominantly focused on "not being fired", as employees burrowed deep into businesses, making themselves as indispensible as possible.
Today, however, job security has taken on a different definition. During a company meeting in which a business partnership was announced, an employee of mine asked: "Will we still have the same amount of job security after these changes?"
"There is only job security in employability," I replied.
A person's employability is defined by how attractive he or she is, as a professional, to potential employers. The more employable a person, the more in demand their skills and experience, and therefore the easier it is to secure work elsewhere. In today's poor economic climate, crisis management and experience in emerging markets are increasingly sought-after skills, for example.
Employability gives the key benefit of job security; work with a steady income, but also the chance to develop new skills and facilitate career advancement.
The business world now operates at a faster pace and staying in the same position for a significant period of time is no longer viewed as particularly beneficial. On the other hand, being highly employable opens up new career opportunities, allowing workers to maximise their potential.