​I am known for my mission to raise awareness about Career Literacy. I am also known for my passion to discuss established and trendy career terms. A recent term, Career Cushioning, was shared by leader and co-host of Career Buzz, Mark Franklin. I had never heard of it...so I set out to learn more about it and just in case you were like me in the dark about it, here is what I found out.
 
According to Wikipedia, career cushioning refers to employees who discreetly upskill and network as a contingency plan in the event of job loss. Still as per Wikipedia, the term came to prominence in 2022 following the COVID-19 pandemic layoffs and stems from cushioning in dating, where partners have a backup plan and cushioning a fall. Did you guys already know this?
 
ChatGPT confirms that career cushioning is the practice of proactively preparing for potential job loss or career changes by building a safety net. It’s similar to financial cushioning—having a backup plan to stay secure during uncertain times. ChapGPT reiterated that while the concept has been around for decades, career cushioning became trendy again in 2022.

​I became curious as to what the research says about it. Not surprisingly, an uptick in research on the management and benefits of career cushioning was evident starting in 2023.
 
One article in Strategic Finance (2023) highlights the unprecedented raised interest in career cushioning. It provides strategies for employers to deal with this phenomenon to avoid the loss of career cushioned employees; strategies such as accepting career cushioning as a given and prioritizing succession planning. I am now intrigued by the ripple effects of career cushioning. Do you see the employee benefits in this? I see it as very good news for employees as employers seek new ways to motivate employees to not only stay but to also be engaged in the work they do.
 
Another article in the Journal of Management and Organization (2024) describes career cushioning as an informal term that suggests a way to soften the blow in case of unexpected career changes. The article once more targets employers stressing better management practices that aim to retain employees and to ensure companies survive and remain innovative. How cool would this be for employees at all levels?
 
Ironically, while Career Development Professionals (CDPs) never (perhaps rarely?) use the term career cushioning, I know that many of us advise our clients to regularly update their resumes, their skills and their network. You can watch CDPs providing this advice on my YouTube channel such as Wayne Pagani saying, “don’t wait until the tsunami hits”, Diane Hudson recommending that you “always have an updated resume”, Marie Zimenoff wanting to ensure that “you have the network and the people that will help you move from one thing to the next” and many more...
 
To say the least, career cushioning is the perfect informal term that I hope will continue to trend. Are you with me? Did you already know this term? Share your thoughts.  

I am Hoda Kilani, Career and Academic Coach. As a private practitioner, I work with students, parents, teachers and community partners sharing the latest strategies to innovatively craft your career journey your way. Follow me and subscribe to this newsletter for more career insights.

You drafted your New Year resolutions and were committed to start upskilling or developing new skills ASAP.

You were bombarded by so many ads for free and paid courses, micro-credentials and webinars that you are feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to start.

• What is the easiest way to narrow down your choices?
• How can you start learning new skills?
• Above all, can you commit to your resolutions on your own or do you need help?

Unfortunately, you have to do to what you don't feel like doing in order to do what you enjoy doing.

Here are six simplified steps that I collected from various books and blogs to help you commit to your resolution to upskill or enhance your capabilities:

1. One skill at a time, one day at a time will add up to many skills by the end of the year: Consider focusing on one skill from your resolutions list. Choose one skill and one skill only. Visualize the reasons behind choosing this skill. For example, you chose to upskill a hobby such as drawing or coding skills. Try to remember why you made this choice. Be as specific as you can.
2. Research the skill and the best place to develop it: Conduct online research on the skill you want to learn or develop. Reach out to people who you know have developed this skill and ask questions. Understand what the skill entails, the resources available (online and in person), and the learning path you can follow.
3. Make a list of resources: Gather the necessary resources to facilitate your learning. This could include books, online courses, tutorials, workshops, mentors, or any other tools that can help you in the learning process.
4. Create a learning schedule: Allocate dedicated time in your daily or weekly schedule for learning the new skill. Remember that consistency is key to progress learning so be sure to add your study time to your calendar.
5. Practice regularly: Regular practice as in three to five days a week is essential for mastering a new skill. It’s not enough to sign up for a micro-credential or a course, you have to find ways to practice that skill beyond class time.
6. Evaluate, adapt and adjust: Be flexible when learning new skills. Some skills may come naturally to you while others will take time to develop. Be sure to adapt your schedule to your best learning time. Some people are more alert in the morning. Others prefer the afternoon or evenings. Make sure that you are open to trying different approaches to see what is your best learning medium.​

Try them out and let me know how you are doing.

It's easy to think that 2024 flew by and you did not achieve significant milestones. You will only see limited progress if you don't take time to reflect. ​

It’s so easy to say “rise and shine”, yet I know that for many of us life throws unexpected moments that this is easier said than done.

How to handle an inability to rise?
 
🌹 Have a water bottle by your bed and start drinking water as soon as you open your eyes 👀 yes, before reaching for your phone 🤓
🌹 Think about the good times 😊 the ones that happened yesterday or those from a month ago
🌹 Count three things that you are thankful for 🥲 it can be the clean water you just drank💧 the fact that you have a window in your room 🪟 or having someone who cares 😎
 
Try them and share what works for you 💪

Taking a deep breath after you take the time to rise will help you appreciate what you have and ease you into reflecting on your year and every day beyond. 

What are your thoughts on reflection?
 
Before you start pondering your New Year resolutions, which by the way research shows that most fizzle out before February ends, I encourage you to consider the high and low points of the past twelve months. I promise you that you will enjoy the process. Crucially, exploring these months will put you in a better position to draft your New Year commitments.

Wishing you health, happiness and continued success, 
Hoda