TikTok, for example, has become a powerful platform that can influence consumer trends across a range of markets and sectors. Social media has had a major impact on the job market. It highlights niche industries, promotes business growth and offers a variety of viral career trends.
Looking at the TikTok career trends over the past few years, we have seen everything from ‘bare-minimum Mondays’ to ‘quiet-quit’ for people who have left their current job and ‘the laziest girl’ for anyone looking for a job that pays well with minimal stress.
While some trends are humorous, others have real value and can have a positive effect on our careers and personal lives in the future. One of these trends is “career cushioning”.
Aidan Cramer , founder and CEO at span size=”font weight: 400 ;”>, explored the Tik Tok trend more in depth to show us why we should pay more attention to career cushioning.
What is career cushioning ?
Career cushioning is the strategy of creating a safety net or backup plan to protect your career and financial stability. Careers and lives can be unpredictable. It’s important to develop a personal strategy to help reduce the financial impact of losing our job, while also taking proactive measures to improve our job security.
Career cushioning can be beneficial in many ways. It helps build a safety net that will help us to maintain our financial and job stability and future prospects.
Career cushioning: How to use it for your benefit
Create an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses, such as a job loss, illness that lasts a long time or unexpected repair costs. Emergency funds should cover your expenses for three to six months. This will help ease the stress of searching for a new job. Saving little and often will help you reach the goal of having enough money to cover six months’ worth of expenses.
Continue to Develop Your Skills – Continually updating your skills and learning new ones can help you future proof your career. It will also make you more attractive in the job market. Is there a range of courses or learning opportunities that you can take to develop your skills? Talk to your manager to find out what you can do. Learning on the job can have a positive effect on your career and the company, so your employer should encourage personal development. Even something as simple as taking a First Aid class can give you an edge when applying for new positions.
Build Your Professional Network – Social networking sites that are specific to business and careers, such as LinkedIn, is a good way to expand your professional network in your industry. Social media can be a great way to start, whether you are looking to create your own personal brand, connect with people in your industry or comment on relevant topics. This is also a great option if you don’t have the time to regularly meet with people or attend events like networking, which are more traditional methods of building professional relationships. Start building your professional network to get yourself out there and for future job opportunities.
A Side Hustlespanstyle=”font weight: 400 ;”>- An additional source of income can help you supplement your primary income, and give you the financial stability that will cushion that career. There are many options – you could earn money by freelancing, running a fitness business or setting up an ecommerce store. You might have a hobby or skill that you can share with others. Turn your passion for something into a side gig and earn some extra money alongside your day job.
Make Your Money Work Better – Since you work hard to earn your money, it should be performing well so that you can get the best returns on your investments. Consider ISAs and high-interest savings accounts to grow your money if you are on the way to creating a safety net. If you are just starting your saving journey, banks will allow you to round up and create pots. This makes it easier to save for a rainy day.
Aidan Cramer commented on the topic of career cushioning, saying ”
“Career padding is not just about having a security net. It’s about strategically positioning oneself for career growth and financial stabilty. Careers can be unpredictable, whether it’s due to redundancy, loss of job, or family and health issues. It pays to be prepared, especially with regards to your finances in the event of unexpected events surrounding your career.
Diversifying your skill set and building a professional network is a smart move. It also helps to protect your finances. You’ll not only protect yourself against job loss, but also open up new opportunities by gaining new skills and knowledge through additional training and networking with people in your industry.
The original HR News article Workplace TikTok trends: Why employees should take note of ‘Career Cushioning” to protect their finances and jobs in the future appeared.
