One Snarky Chica with Issues

You hear a lot about job security. It seems like everyone is looking for it but hardly anyone has it. So, is job security a myth?

In this day and age I tend to think so. I am only 29 years old but have had more jobs in my lifetime than I can even remember. A large part of that reason is due to the ubiquitous temporary staffing agency. (The other part is due to things like me getting bored easily and having a bit of a gypsy lifestyle.) Take for instance my current job. I got the job through a temporary staffing agency with assurances that it would turn into a permanent position by January 3rd, 2008. That has not come to fruition and I have even seen my job advertised in the newspaper! Now sure, you could argue that maybe I’m still a temp because of poor performance and whatnot. However, I have gotten great reviews according to my recruiter, so who knows.

This is not the first time I have been in a temp position that was due to go permanent and in reality it did not. I also know a lot of other people who have had similar experiences. I think as long as the temporary staffing agency plays such a large role in the job market that job security will be a myth.

I also think that employers have changed. You hear all the time about employers saying that employees are the greatest asset of the company. Yet, when the company falls on hard times instead of cutting back the wages of executives they have mass lay-offs. I don’t know about you, but I like to hold onto my assets.

So, if job security is a myth what do you do? The only thing you can do – continually show the company how you benefit them. Take classes on your time off and learn other new skills. The more valuable you are the closer you get to the mythical land of job security.

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