Why career cushioning is essential for financial success right now

Published on 20th March, 2023 at 11:56 am

You get up every morning, raring to go do another great day’s work. You know times are tough right now, but you’re a hard, enthusiastic worker, and are excellent at what you do. But is that enough? Not really, based on the rise and buzz surrounding ‘career cushioning’.

Reading time: 3 minutes

In this article you’ll learn:

• What career cushioning is, and why everyone’s talking about it.
• How career cushioning can be beneficial to you, and steps you can take to do it.
• How your Online Education by Boston and Personal Assistant benefits can help you take charge of your career and achieve financial success.

21st century career trends

The world of work has changed a lot since the pandemic – and what seemed like temporary trends are becoming more permanent. Working from home and hybrid workplaces are becoming common for many companies, and some employers are also experimenting with a four-day workweek, which has been shown to improve productivity. Another trend is so-called ‘quiet quitting’, which is when an employee only does the minimum requirements of their job and doesn’t put in any extra effort or time, often to help cope with burnout. There is also another trend making its way up the career ladder: career cushioning.

What is career cushioning?

Making a career cushion for yourself means you are proactive about having a back-up plan in case something unexpected happens at work – say you get retrenched, or you are unhappy in your job, or you suddenly need more flexible hours.

“Career cushioning is important because it allows you to have peace of mind that you are protected against the risk of job loss and income,” says Cape Town personal development coach and industrial psychologist Kim Conradie. “It puts you in a better position for financial freedom. With workplaces becoming remote on a global scale, it is not uncommon for individuals to explore more than one income stream.”

So, how can you cushion your career for financial confidence?

Conradie suggests the following tips:

• Focus on developing your skill set and gaining experience in your chosen field. Take online classes and courses, attend conferences, and read industry-related materials to stay up to date on trends and developments.
• Network with colleagues and professionals in your industry to build relationships and stay informed.
• Stay relevant on social media platforms like LinkedIn, where you can also build relationships.
• Upskill and diversify your skill set and explore opportunities to work in different areas to gain knowledge and experience.
• Book a session with a career or life coach who can help map out a career path, or find a mentor to speak to about your skills and potential.

The ability to form and maintain valuable relationships is becoming increasingly important in the modern workplace, and is a critical skill if you want to lead. The Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) benefit offered as part of your Online Education by Boston benefit can help you learn valuable interpersonal skills crucial to development in this area. Learn more about the benefit here.

How to build mental resilience

Building a career cushion is not just about learning new skills – you should also prepare mentally to always be curious and open to opportunities.

Conradie recommends taking good care of yourself physically by getting enough sleep, eating healthily and exercising regularly.

She also notes the importance of creating a circle of support. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends and family – reaching out can help you cope if something unexpected happens.”

Finally, she suggests developing a growth mindset by staying positive and focusing on the things you can control, instead of worry about things you can’t.

Your free Sanlam Reality Personal Assistant benefit can help you tick off your to-do list, freeing up your time to focus on what really matters to you, including furthering your education and exploring other income streams. Use it now!