Career Cushioning: The Backup Plan to Safeguard Your Career

What’s your career Plan B?  Do you have one? Or are you putting all your eggs in one basket, hoping that things will work out just fine?

If your answer is the latter, then it might be time to consider career cushioning—a backup plan to safeguard your career against an unexpected job loss. In today’s fast-paced and unpredictable job market, having a career cushion can provide much needed security and peace of mind.

What is career cushioning?

Career cushioning means preparing for another career in a different field while still working your current job. You do this as a hedge against possible job loss caused by a seismic shift in your industry, such as AI taking over your job, a company going bankrupt, or even personal reasons like health issues. The basic idea is to “cushion your landing” in case you fall from your current career path.

This safety net can help you bounce back quicker and start earning again, without having to worry about financial instability.

Why is career cushioning important?

With the rise of automation and the constantly changing global economy, few jobs are truly safe. If you're worried about yours, even distantly, then you should consider career cushioning as a backup plan to give you some peace of mind.

That's the obvious reason to create a career cushion. The less obvious—but potentially more valuable—benefit of creating a career cushion is it encourages you to take a much deeper look at what’s really out there in the job market. And what you discover when you do this could be most enlightening.

For example, suppose you started your current career many years ago. You may have chosen it because you were good at something, or the job was the obvious choice for your major, and that was all the thinking you did on the matter. But what about your interests? What about your personality? What about your life goals? You may find there's a much better job match for you than what you're doing now.

In fact, some people who start figuring out a career cushion end up making a career change in midstream as a result, not even waiting to see what happens with their old job!

Are there any downsides to career cushioning?

Just like every coin has two sides, career cushioning isn't without its potential drawbacks:

• Preparing for an alternative career is always going to require time, effort and possibly even financial investment if you need to gain new qualifications. This could affect your performance in your present role.
• Worrying too much about what will happen to you in five or ten years can have a negative effect on your productivity in the here and now, causing your job performance to slip and possibly even putting your job in danger.
• If your boss finds out what you’re doing, they might question your loyalty and commitment. You may need to keep your plans to yourself, which may make you feel uncomfortable or isolated in your current job.
• Career cushioning can actually increase your feelings of insecurity in your current job, rather than providing the peace of mind it was originally intended to give. It's important to find a balance between being “healthily prepared” and dwelling on worst-case scenarios that make you feel anxious.

How do you start career cushioning?

The first step in creating a career cushion is to evaluate your current job and assess the potential risks of losing it. Ask yourself:

• Is my industry future-proof, or is it susceptible to technological disruption or economic downturns?
• Is my company facing financial instability or restructuring?
• Are there any personal reasons that could impact my ability to continue working in this field?

Once you have identified the potential risks, it's time to explore alternative career paths that stand a better chance of withstanding any potential challenges. Even if you have a good idea of what your next career may look like, it's always helpful to take a career aptitude test. This will help you find a career that fits your interests and personality—meaning you'll be happier and more fulfilled in the long run.

To get your career-cushion wheels in motion, make a list of the skills, qualifications and certifications you're going to need and start working towards them. This could include taking courses, networking in new fields, or even volunteering to gain experience. You could pursue a side hustle or pick up some freelancing work in the new area to test the waters and see if it’s a good fit for you.

The key to career cushioning is not just having a backup plan in place, but actively working towards it while still employed. You can never be 100-percent sure that your career cushioning activities will lead to new employment should your old job disappear, but by preparing, learning new skills, and broadening your network, you significantly tilt the odds in your favor.

Is there an alternative to career cushioning?

If you are at all concerned that career cushioning could compromise your performance or commitment to your present job, it might not be the best choice for you.

If you already have numerous out-of-work commitments and find your time significantly drained, career cushioning may not be a suitable choice for you, either. Going back to school while working full-time and caring for small children, for example, could demand far more time than you can afford to give.

An alternative option is to focus on improving your skills and performance in your current profession. Being top of your game and indispensable to your company means you're less likely to be laid off in hard times. These efforts could also help you qualify for promotions that would make you less vulnerable, or increase your chances of finding another job in your present profession should your employer decide to let you go.

If you decide that career cushioning is a smart and sensible choice for you, start by considering a manageable time investment in your plan. Devote just a few hours per week of your spare time to researching career paths and learning new skills. You can start by treating it like a hobby—one that you take seriously but would never allow to interfere with important daily responsibilities.

Your career cushioning plan should be fun and exciting, not stressful and distracting. As long as you approach it with that attitude, everything should work out just fine.