Job Security vs. Career Security: Rethinking What It Means to Feel Safe at Work

“Job security is what an employer gives you. Career security is what you build.”

One of the most common things I hear from job seekers or people looking for a new direction is this:
“I want an interesting and secure job.”

It sounds simple—even ideal. But dig a little deeper, and it often reveals multiple layers of insights about the person behind it. Over the years, I’ve learned to pause before jumping to conclusions about what someone means when they say “secure.” It’s easy to assume that my definition applies to everyone, but it very rarely does.

So instead, I ask:
“What does job security mean to you?”

It may sound like an easy question, but it’s not always straightforward. In many cases, our sense of security isn’t only shaped by our current situation. It can be deeply rooted in past experiences. Sometimes, it even stems from  unconscious beliefs we have carried since childhood.

From a work perspective, the idea of a secure job can vary widely depending on your life stage, personal circumstances, and where you live. For some, it means a permanent contract. For others, it’s the ability to predict their calendar three months from now. Some want stability to support their families. Others fear losing control or being unemployed.

We all have our own reasons for how we define security.

“My personal journey — from being terrified of unemployment to running my own business is a clear example of how shifting your  mindset can redefine what security means.”

But before we go any further, let me turn the question to you: “Right now, in your life, what does the word “security” mean to you?”

Take a moment and write down 3–5 words, feelings, or ideas that come to mind.

In my coaching practice, career transition is a common theme. And sooner or later, the question of security always comes up.
When I ask, “What does security mean to you?” here are some of the most frequent responses:

✨ I need a stable job to support my family

✨ I live alone, and I’m the only income provider

✨ I’m afraid of becoming unemployed and not finding work again

✨ I want control over my life and career

✨ I like knowing what’s going to happen in the next few years

Each of these answers is valid and deeply human; security matters.
But what if chasing job security keeps you stuck in a mindset that no longer serves you?
What if there’s a more powerful, future-ready way to feel secure?

“There was a time when the fear of unemployment and the anxiety of not being able to pay my bills felt overwhelming. Today, I run my own company without any guaranteed income — and surprisingly, I feel more secure than ever.” – Tina Persson

Fear becomes your most significant obstacle when you fear the future. It’s especially damaging in the academic context, where funding cycles and short-term contracts make uncertainty a part of the profession. Ironically, the more you cling to the illusion of stability, the less confident and marketable you may become.

So, let’s take a closer look at what really separates job security from career security.

Job security is typically associated with external factors:

✨ A permanent contract

✨ A regular paycheck

✨ A fixed job title

✨ A predictable daily structure

This is the path many of us were raised to pursue: find a steady job and stay there.

But in today’s fast-moving world, even a “secure” job can be disrupted by market downturns, AI, automation, restructuring, or global crises. Stability, it turns out, is often an illusion. Experts say that in the coming decade, we will experience more change in the labor market than we have seen in the past 100 years.

So, from that perspective, is clinging to one job really the smartest move?

Career security, by contrast, is internal.

It’s about building a strong foundation of transferable skills, adaptability, relationships, and self-awareness – the very things that allow you to land on your feet no matter what happens around you.

It’s about being prepared for change instead of fearing it.

And yes, this requires something many people struggle with: trust in yourself.
Even if you have never navigated uncertainty before, you can build the mindset and tools to do it.

The more often you challenge yourself and step out of your comfort zone, the more confident you will become in your ability to handle risk and spot opportunities that others may not even see.

That’s what it means to build career security. That’s how you start “seeing around corners.”

Let’s revisit the earlier statements — but this time through the lens of a growth-oriented, secure career mindset. These are the kinds of conversations I often have with my coaching clients:

I need a stable job to support my family
What skills could you build to open more doors? What if your value didn’t rely on one employer, but on your ability to choose between several options?

I’m afraid of being unemployed
Career security is about building a network, reputation, and skillset that support you across transitions so you never have to start from scratch.

I want control over my life

Ironically, depending on one job often means less control, not more. The more versatile your skill set, the more choices you have.

I want to know what’s happening over the next few years.
While we can’t predict the future, we can prepare for it. Career security means designing your own roadmap instead of waiting for someone else to chart it for you.

Making the shift from job security to career security takes courage.
It means letting go of the fear-based mindset — “I must hold on to this job or else” 

To:

“I trust myself to create opportunities.”

This doesn’t mean abandoning stability altogether. It means understanding that long-term safety comes not from standing still but from staying ready to grow and evolve.

Here are some powerful reflection questions to help you move forward:

✨ What skills could I develop this year to increase my career options?

✨ Who are five people I could talk to in different fields to expand my perspective?

✨ When was the last time I truly challenged myself professionally?

✨ What would I do if I believed I could handle anything?

A sustainable career is often a mix of meaning, growth, and resilience.
It’s not about eliminating uncertainty but getting better at navigating it.

So the next time you find yourself thinking, “I just want a secure job,” pause and ask:

“Do I really want job security or do I want career security?”

Because the second one? That’s something no one can ever take away from you.

If you’d like support building your career security, let’s talk.