The Rise of Career Cushioning: A New Job Strategy

​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.

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​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.  

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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.