Loyalty in Careers

Loyalty in Careers What does loyalty mean to you? A few years ago I was talking to an HR person who said, with disgust, that there is no more loyalty from employees to the employer. Anyone want to comment on that? Im a pretty loyal guy. I left my last company at least a year after I should have left, only because they laid me off. I was too loyal and somehow expected the loyalty to be reciprocated. How naive. Every week I hear stories from people who were let go. They gave their companies everything, and many times, went above and beyond. These were people who had cut costs, increased revenue, where a good cultural fit, etc. etc. They were even loyal to their companies. There is no  (or, reduced) loyalty because companies arent as loyal as they used to be. No one feels secure in their job. Everyone knows that they could be gone next year, and likely will be gone in five years.  Its always in the back of peoples minds. This is why career management is so critical. Keep your eyes open, strengthen and make new professional networking connections, and pay attention to what your brand is.  All three of these strategies/tactics will come in handy that day you get your pink slip. Loyalty in Careers What does loyalty mean to you? A few years ago I was talking to an HR person who said, with disgust, that there is no more loyalty from employees to the employer. Anyone want to comment on that? Im a pretty loyal guy. I left my last company at least a year after I should have left, only because they laid me off. I was too loyal and somehow expected the loyalty to be reciprocated. How naive. Every week I hear stories from people who were let go. They gave their companies everything, and many times, went above and beyond. These were people who had cut costs, increased revenue, where a good cultural fit, etc. etc. They were even loyal to their companies. There is no  (or, reduced) loyalty because companies arent as loyal as they used to be. No one feels secure in their job. Everyone knows that they could be gone next year, and likely will be gone in five years.  Its always in the back of peoples minds. This is why career management is so critical. Keep your eyes open, strengthen and make new professional networking connections, and pay attention to what your brand is.  All three of these strategies/tactics will come in handy that day you get your pink slip.