Recently, I had a heartfelt conversation with someone who had just been laid off. Understandably, they were searching for what so many of us crave in our professional lives: stability. Over my 30 years of recruiting, I’ve heard this countless times from people in all stages of their careers. “I just want stability.” It’s a natural response, especially when faced with the uncertainty of change. But it also raises a deeper question: Does stability in a job even exist?

The truth is, it doesn’t — at least not in the way we often imagine it.

🌍 The Ever-Changing Nature of Work

Companies evolve. Leadership changes. Markets shift. Jobs that seem rock-solid today can disappear tomorrow. Layoffs happen. Acquisitions happen. Life happens. The concept of job stability, when we look closely, is often an illusion. Even the most “stable” positions are subject to forces beyond our control.

It’s not just the external forces at play. We change, too. Our goals shift, our priorities evolve, and what we once thought was “stable” might no longer serve us. So, if everything around us — and even within us — is in a constant state of change, how can we ever feel truly stable?

⚖️ True Stability Comes From Within

Here’s what I’ve come to believe: stability doesn’t come from a job, a company, or a title. It comes from within.

When we build our own internal foundation of stability, we become secure not in our circumstances, but in our ability to handle whatever comes our way. That’s the real power. Whether we face a layoff, a company restructuring, or an unexpected career pivot, we can respond with resilience, confidence, and calm.

This internal stability doesn’t mean ignoring reality. It means trusting yourself to navigate it.

  • Trusting your skills and experience to open new doors.
  • Believing in your ability to adapt to change.
  • Knowing that setbacks are not permanent, and opportunities are always out there.

The more we nurture our internal stability, the less we depend on external circumstances to give us a sense of security.

💡 Building Your Inner Stability

So how do we cultivate this sense of security within ourselves? It starts with small, intentional steps:

  1. 🔄 Focus on What You Can Control You can’t control market downturns or corporate decisions, but you can control your mindset, how you react, and the actions you take.
  2. 💼 Invest in Yourself Keep learning. Keep growing. Develop skills that make you adaptable and valuable, no matter where life takes you. Your growth is something no one can take away.
  3. 🛡️ Build Your Confidence Reflect on your wins, big or small. What challenges have you overcome? What value do you bring to the table? Remind yourself of your strengths often.
  4. 👥 Expand Your Network Relationships can be a source of support, insight, and opportunity. Connect with others authentically — not just when you need something, but as a way to build lasting stability in your career.
  5. 📏 Reframe Your Perspective on Change Change isn’t always the enemy. Sometimes, it’s a door to something better. When we view change as an opportunity rather than a threat, we become less afraid of it.

⚓ You Are Your Own Anchor

At the end of the day, jobs will come and go. Companies will rise and fall. The world will continue to change. But when you anchor yourself in your own inner stability, you create a foundation that’s unshakable.

So, to anyone out there feeling uncertain or searching for stability, know this: you are stronger and more capable than you realize. Real stability isn’t something you find out there; it’s something you cultivate within yourself. When you do, no matter what life throws your way, you’ll be ready.

Because true stability starts with you.