It’s 2 am, and I get the call: “We’re closing the project.” That was the biggest client the company had. No client means no work. 25 people were fired the next day.

Not because they were bad at their jobs, but simply because that's how business works.

You are replaceable. You might be the hardest worker, doing the job of 3 people, and still get fired. In most cases, you’re not as crucial as you think. Business leaders will do what they believe is best for their company, which might just mean cutting expenses. In a big company, you’re just a line item on their Excel sheet. In a small company, they might know your name, but when hard times hit, you’re an expense they can no longer afford.

Don’t delude yourself into thinking “no one else can do it like I do.”

In most cases, they don’t need it done “that way”. They often need just the bare minimum to stay profitable.

The key is to recognize that companies are replaceable too. You can replace the company you work for by moving to another one.

Your value isn’t tied to the company you work for; your skills are needed everywhere. It’s important to know this and adopt the mindset that you are running your own career business. When things are no longer suitable for you, move on—just like they would if things weren’t suitable for them.

Here are 5 tips to help you maintain your confidence and adaptability:

1  Always Be in Job Search Mode

At least once a month, review job openings for both your current position and your career aspirations. Stay updated with market trends, required skills, tools, and salary ranges. 

Identify any gaps between what you know and what’s required, and add those to your to-do list.

2  Keep Your Resume Up to Date

Your resume needs to be aligned with the next career step. For example, if you're a mid-level specialist and your next step is to become a senior, your resume should reflect that as you apply for senior positions.

Review it once a month: add new skills and projects, and remove outdated information. It should be ready to send out right away when needed.

3  Brag!

LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, industry meetups—share your work wins. Brag about them. Yes, brag about your skills, courses you’ve completed, books you’ve read, and insights you have. Become visible in your industry.

“Today, I learned X. Here are five things you should know about it.”

“Great win! I’ve done X, and here are three things I’ve learned.”

4  Go to Job Interviews

The best way to validate if your knowledge is transferable and up to date is to actually go to job interviews.

The more you practice, the better and more confident you get.

You don’t need to do this every month, but at least once a quarter.

Things you’ll find out:

• Are you rewarded fairly in your current job? 
• Are your skills actually valid in the market?
• Are your skills in demand?

5  Be Ready to Quit

"Company needs me," "it's a bad time"—all lies. 

The best time to replace an employer is when it’s best for you. Don’t worry about what they’ll do without you, and don’t become overconfident in your role. Some places will be fine when you leave, and others will struggle.

Either way, it’s not your concern. Always prioritize yourself—that’s what they do.

You're worth more