{"id":3000079745,"date":"2025-08-29T06:26:52","date_gmt":"2025-08-29T10:26:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wework.com\/ideas\/?p=3000079745"},"modified":"2026-02-13T09:53:14","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T14:53:14","slug":"career-cushioning-in-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wework.com\/ideas\/professional-development\/career-cushioning-in-2025","title":{"rendered":"Career cushioning in 2025: How to future-proof your job in the age of AI"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The main thing about cushions? They\u2019re comfortable \u2013 safe, even. And that\u2019s exactly how we should feel in our careers, too: safe and comfortable. But with today\u2019s fast-paced work environment, keeping up can feel overwhelming. Will our jobs still exist in five or ten years? We also keep hearing the question: Is AI taking my job?<\/em> Do we need to reinvent ourselves from time to time to stay relevant? And if so, how? In short, how do we cushion<\/em> \u2013 or future-proof \u2013 our careers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At a time when layoffs<\/a> are becoming more common and companies are increasingly automating processes by relying on AI<\/a>, many knowledge workers are understandably worried about job security. Enter career cushioning<\/em> \u2013 a practice that divides opinion but is now impossible to ignore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is career cushioning?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Simply put, career cushioning refers to the steps you take to safeguard your career. It\u2019s about having a backup plan in case something happens to your current job. Lately, it\u2019s become a widespread response to the uncertainty that\u2019s reigning in the job market. In fact, a 2023 research by Robert Walters Austin<\/a> found that a staggering 68% of professionals were career cushioning, meaning they were actively seeking ways to create a Plan B in case their careers took an unexpected turn. That number likely hasn\u2019t dropped, especially after the wave of layoffs we saw last year from industry giants like IBM, Amazon, Meta, Google, and Microsoft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In 2025, we believe that the practice will gain an even greater momentum. Workers have seen enough examples to know that no job is an absolute guarantee. In fact, a Resume Templates report<\/a> shows that nearly half of U.S. managers say that they are likely to lay people off this year, with only 16% of them certain that they won\u2019t (a hardly encouraging percentage), prompting professionals to take matters into their own hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Career cushioning in practice<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Anything that suggests you\u2019re open to new job opportunities falls under the umbrella of career cushioning. This could include updating your resume<\/a> or LinkedIn profile, exploring available job openings, freelancing<\/a>, attending networking events, or even going for interviews to test the waters \u2013 all of these signal that you\u2019re open to change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ever thought about turning a hobby into a side gig for some extra cash? That counts, too! Even brushing up on your skills or upskilling can help future-proof your career. What is upskilling in this context? In short, it makes you better at what you do and boosts your chances of landing \u2013 or keeping \u2013 a great job. You might also seek advice from a recruitment consultant for insider tips on the job market and how to better navigate it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s driving this better safe than sorry<\/em> mindset?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Several factors push people to take proactive steps to future-proof their careers. One of them is the overall sense of unease and insecurity, driven as much by a turbulent economy as by high-profile layoffs and hiring freezes. But not all reasons are so large-scale. People might start looking for alternatives when they feel dissatisfied in their current role<\/a>, or if internal changes within their company negatively impact them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moreover, the promise of AI<\/a> is not without some disadvantages. There are two sides to every significant change, after all: AI undoubtedly creates new jobs, but it also makes others obsolete. Who\u2019s at risk in this unprecedented revolution?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Should you be career cushioning?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The answer is, it\u2019s never a bad idea to sharpen your skills or acquire new ones. Even doing a bit of market research to stay aware of what\u2019s out there can be really helpful. Similarly, going on interviews for various other roles can also prove valuable on the long run \u2013 not just to explore opportunities but also to boost your confidence as an interviewee<\/a>. Practice makes perfect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are plenty of ways to feel more secure in your career, but don\u2019t forget that work-life balance<\/a> comes first. Be mindful not to overwork yourself or take on side projects during your regular 9-to-5 \u2013 that\u2019s often an employer\u2019s main concern when it comes to career cushioning.<\/p>\n\n\n