Author: April Ogden, Founder and CEO, It’s Your Outcome

What would you do if your job ended tomorrow—and no one saw it coming but you?

 

For mid-career professionals, that question doesn’t just keep you up at night. It shows up in the quiet: when projects pause, leadership changes, or budgets tighten without warning.

You might not get a heads-up. But you can absolutely get a head start.

This is Part 1 of a 6-part series on reinventing your career with strategy and confidence—starting with the one thing nobody wants to talk about: job insecurity.

 

Why Job Insecurity Hits Different in 2025

Roles are changing faster than job titles can keep up. Entire departments are being restructured. You’re not imagining the tension—it’s real. But fear doesn’t have to take the lead.

What’s more important than feeling secure is being ready.

Here’s how.

1. Pay Attention to the Shifts Others Ignore

If you’re picking up on changes, don’t brush it off. That feeling is worth listening to. Start by asking yourself:

• Has communication from leadership become vague or inconsistent?
• Are tasks slowly being moved to AI tools or outsourced vendors?
• Are other teams shrinking, “reorganizing,” or merging responsibilities?
• Has your workload changed without any real explanation?

This isn’t about panic. It’s about pattern recognition. When you see smoke, don’t wait for fire to start packing your parachute.

 

Quick Tip: Start a private journal or document. Track what you notice, when, and how it impacts your team or your role. Patterns often reveal more than a single conversation.

 

2. Build a Contingency Plan—Before You Need One

This doesn’t mean quitting. It means being positioned to move if (or when) you need to.

Here’s what I coach clients to do right now:

• Update your résumé with recent results and wins.
• Start reconnecting with three people in your network this week.
• Write down your impact in measurable terms—projects completed, dollars saved, time improved.
• Save copies of performance reviews, awards, or feedback.
• Bookmark job boards and salary data relevant to your role or next step.

For context on current job market trends, consider reviewing this recent overview of company layoffs and workforce shifts in 2025 from

Business Insider.

 

3. Don’t Wait for the Announcement

A former client of mine noticed sudden organizational changes two levels above her. Instead of waiting, she updated her résumé, sent three emails, and started taking interviews—while still employed.

When her department got cut six weeks later, she was already two rounds into a new opportunity with better flexibility and more pay.

She didn’t panic. She planned.

 

A Truth Nobody Talks About

Job security isn’t about how stable your company is. It’s about how prepared you are, no matter what happens.

 

Common Questions

Q: What if I don’t have time to plan right now?

A: You don’t need hours. You need a rhythm. One bullet on your résumé today. One message tomorrow. One insight a week. It builds.

 

Q: How do I know I’m not just overreacting?

A: Pair instinct with facts. Check layoffs in your industry, track internal changes, and look at how similar roles are shifting. If your gut’s talking, listen.

 

Final Thought: Preparation Is Power

Worrying won’t protect your career—but action will. Start with small steps. Because when the unexpected happens, your future should already be in motion.

 

What’s Next?

In Part 2, we’ll talk about how to shift into a proactive career mindset—even when you feel stuck or tired.

→ And if résumés are your first roadblock, start here:

6 Outdated Résumé Mistakes to Avoid if You’re 40+ and Job Hunting

Bookmark this series. Your next move starts with readiness—not fear.