There used to be a time when if jobs were lost during a recession, there was the expectation that many of these same jobs would eventually return after the economy came back. These days, though, there’s a whole different feel about jobs returning.

In a recent article, “5 Myths About How to Create Jobs” (link), McKinsey notes that even if the economy were to add 200,000 jobs per month, it would take the next 7 years to return to a “normal” unemployment rate of 5%. And according to a recent WSJ article, “Economists Expect Shifting Work Force” (link), 1 in 4 jobs won’t be coming back, but instead will be replaced by other types of work in growing industries, which for many is a much longer road to re-employment and to previous salary levels.

Personally, when I hear about jobs not coming back, I’m not thinking just about the jobs. I’m thinking about the skill sets of the people who were performing those jobs.

The crisis that I see many people facing these days is not a lack of jobs, but a lack of relevant skills. When jobs are lost or go overseas, people aren’t losing their jobs. They’re losing the domestic demand for their skill sets. It’s their capabilities that are being lost, some for good.

People are being left with skills that don’t have a marketplace. And that’s a much more frightening reality than being without a job.

As we have seen recently, even well established enduring companies and industries can falter. Therefore to provide yourself with real unemployment insurance, you need to ensure that the skills and capabilities you possess remain relevant and attractive to many companies in and beyond your industry.

To remain gainfully employed with a viable future, you need to remain relevant. And for that to be the case, your skill set needs to be relevant to both your company and to the marketplace in general.

So that being said, when did you last take inventory of the skills and capabilities you bring to the table?


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My local dry cleaner’s specialty is breaking buttons. If your shirt has buttons, they will break them.  Their 2-for-1 special is bring in two shirts, we’ll break the buttons of at least one of them.  In by 9:00, broken buttons by 5:00.  Coming in a close second is burning collars.  Don’t have ring-around-the-collar?  No problem; we’ll burn one in for you.  Consider it a shirt tattoo.  Lastly, the icing on the cake is shirt ripping.  Bring us your best, newest shirt, and we’ll make sure to pierce it.  Heck it’s the South; everyone can use some extra ventilation.

Needless to say, I left them.  Switching was easy.  Why?  They were no longer relevant to me, I didn’t care, and I had options.

Today’s Question: What about you?  Are you staying relevant to the people that matter to your career?  If you ask your manager, would he/she switch you for someone else?  What about your company?  Your industry?  Are you staying relevant to them?

Careers are made by being and staying relevant to your boss, your company, and your industry.

Quick Test #1 - Being Relevant to Your Manager:
If your role in your company was no longer needed, would your manager still want to keep you?  Would she fight hard for you because she felt you were incredibly relevant to her success?  Can you connect what you do to your manager’s success?  Do you know how your manager defines her success, what her top 3 goals are?  Find out, and ensure your relevance to your manager.

Quick Test #2 - Being Relevant to Your Company:
Unfortunately, your manager has just been let go.  And a new one is on the way.  The new one has no clue who you are; he comes from the outside.  Will your company underscore to him that you’re critical to the company’s success?  Will he ultimately believe it after a few weeks of seeing your work?  Has your contribution been such that the company would be foolish to let you go?  Is it clear for all to see that you are extremely relevant to the company’s success?  Make sure you are, and maintain your relevance to your company.

Quick Test #3 - Being Relevant to Your Industry:
Your company looks like it may be sold to a competitor.  Or your company seems like it may be on the brink of going under.  If so, will you be sought out by leaders in your field or industry?  Have you created a well deserved reputation within your circle of influence (however big or small) as someone who contributes to their industry or field?  Are you viewed as someone who furthers the knowledge, expertise and capability of others and of organizations?  If not, when will you start?  Being relevant to your manager and company is good, but for extra security, be relevant to your industry.

Today, people can easily outlive the company they work for.  Most people’s careers will involve several, if not numerous, employers.  Some may argue that the key to a long career is possessing the right skills, knowledge, expertise, etc.  These are important, but not sufficient.  The key is using them in a way that you remain continuously relevant to your manager, your company, and your industry.  Think about this past year, and the change we’ve seen.  Now look forward 12 months, and ask yourself:  Will I still be relevant then?  What do I need to do to ensure that?