Stable Careers Won’t Save You. These 5 Things Will.
- fullifecoaching
- Feb 6
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 18
Let’s get real for a second. Corporate jobs used to be the safe choice—the thing your parents (and probably their parents) drilled into your brain as the only responsible way to make a living. Benefits! Stability! A guaranteed paycheck!
Yeah, not so much anymore.
In 2024, US companies announced over 760,000 layoffs, which is up from 721,000 in 2023. Let that sink in. It’s not just you—no one is safe from a sudden, unexpected restructuring, downsizing or the dreaded “we’ve-decided-to-go-in-a-different-direction” email. So much for a good stable job!
And if you’re not let go? There will come a day when you decide you need to leave. Because let’s face it: very few people are staying at the same company for 40 years and getting a gold watch at retirement anymore.
So, what can you count on when your employer sees your role as just another line on a spreadsheet? What is actually stable in today’s ever-changing job market?
Here are 5 things that will outlast any job, global event or technological shift.
1. Your Values
Your job title might change. Your company might shut down. But what you stand for? That stays with you. Whether it’s integrity, creativity, freedom, or making an impact, knowing your values will help you make better career decisions—ones that align with you, not just a paycheck.
2. Your Talents
Layoffs don’t erase your skills. If you’re good at solving problems, writing killer copy, leading a team, or building systems that work, those strengths go with you wherever you land next. Invest in them. Hone them. Because no one can take them away from you.
3. Your Passions
That thing you can’t shut up about? The work that lights you up inside? That’s yours forever. It doesn’t have to be your full-time job (yet), but the more time you spend leaning into what excites you, the more options you create for your future. I love my client Colin’s story about turning his passion for music into a hobby that thrives alongside his career.
4. Your Relationships
Networking isn’t just some buzzword people throw around—it’s your safety net. Your connections can lead you to new opportunities, support you when you’re in transition, and remind you that you’re more than just your job title. So nurture those relationships. Be a person, not just a LinkedIn connection.
5. Your Curiosity Mindset
The people who thrive in any economy and in any industry are the ones who keep learning. They ask questions. They adapt. They stay curious about what’s next. You don’t need to predict the future—you just need to be willing to roll with it and figure things out as you go.
So, What’s Your Move?
If you take nothing else from this, let it be this: your job is not your identity and even good, stable jobs don’t last forever.
Get crystal clear on what you value
Hone your skills and talents
Make time for the things that actually make you happy
Build and nurture relationships (yes, even when you don’t “need” them)
Stay open to learning and evolving
Invest in a career coach who can help you plan ahead!
Because when—not if—your job disappears, these will carry you forward. And trust me, your future self will thank you.
Ali Goodin
Ali is a certified career coach, former Disney cast member, and creative professional turned career transition expert based in Central Florida. Founder of Ful Life Coaching, Ali helps job seekers, career changers, and growth-minded professionals confidently navigate career transitions. Whether you're pursuing a new role, switching industries, or seeking greater purpose in your work, Ali provides personalized coaching, job search strategy, and resume support to help you build a fulfilling, balanced career at any stage of life.
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