Loyalty Doesn’t Guarantee Security

Many professionals believe that if they work hard, stay loyal and consistently deliver, their job will be safe.

Unfortunately, that is not always how companies operate.

You can be talented, respected and valuable to your team—and still lose your job because of a decision that has little to do with your performance.

That is one of the harder career lessons to learn:

Loyalty does not guarantee security.

Good Employees Get Laid Off Too

Fashion companies are constantly changing.

Brands are acquired. Departments are consolidated. Retailers close stores. Private equity owners cut costs. New executives reorganize teams. Licenses move from one company to another. A weak season can trigger budget reductions.

When that happens, strong employees can get caught in decisions made far above their level.

A layoff does not necessarily mean someone failed. Sometimes the job simply no longer fits the company’s plans.

Don’t Confuse Loyalty With Preparation

There is nothing wrong with being loyal to a good employer.

The mistake is allowing loyalty to make you complacent.

Even when you are happy in your job, keep your résumé current. Update it when you complete a major project, improve margins, grow an account, launch a successful collection or take on additional responsibility.

It is much easier to document accomplishments while they are fresh than to reconstruct several years of results after an unexpected layoff.

Keep Your Network Alive

Your professional network should not only hear from you when you need a job.

Stay connected to former coworkers, recruiters, vendors, clients and industry contacts. Congratulate people when they change jobs. Attend industry events. Participate in professional groups. Occasionally reconnect with people you respect.

Those relationships can become extremely important when circumstances change quickly.

Know What the Market Thinks You’re Worth

Pay attention to jobs similar to yours, even if you are not actively looking.

What skills are employers requesting? What are comparable positions paying? Are new technologies becoming important in your function? Has your role changed elsewhere in the industry?

You do not have to be job hunting to stay informed about the job market.

Be Loyal—But Stay Ready

The goal is not to spend your career expecting the worst.

It is to recognize that your employer is responsible for protecting the business, while you are responsible for protecting your career.

Do great work. Be dependable. Support your company.

But keep your résumé updated, maintain your network and stay aware of your value in the marketplace.

You can be committed to your employer without becoming dependent on your employer.