The Power of Security

I'm helping a friend in a job search. He wants to move on from his current employer. His job is stressful, it has plenty of unknowns and its industry is in flux. I understand his need for change. But, as he looks for alternative careers, he has to realize that many of the problems he thinks he will leave behind will be waiting for him at his next job.

That's because of two reasons:
1) We bring our baggage with us to every relationship. So, if he has issues with authority, guess what? He'll have that at the new job. Ditto for other things ranging from everything from how hard he's willing to work to personal hygiene. If he is challenged currently in any area, he probably will be in his new job.

2) Every job has its issues. At best you leave a ton of big issues to work at a place with issues that you feel you can deal with. But there's no guarantee.

I'm not saying he should stay where he is, in fact, it's too late for that. But, there is something to be said for security--knowing where you work, knowing the people, the expectations and having confidence that you will be employed there tomorrow unless you do something really bad.

That's why you see a person quit a company he's worked at for ten years, and over the next 12 months go through three or four jobs. It's easy to lose perspective and forget the power of security.

Barry LaBov
LaBov & Beyond
www.labov.com