Build, Bolt or Bargain? Outsmarting the Unstable Job Market

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Back in 2007, I learned the hard way that “job security” is a bedtime story companies tell us to keep us from tossing and turning at night. I lost a job I thought I’d be safe in, and it flipped my whole world upside down. Bills still needed to be paid, groceries didn’t stop costing money, and I had two kids watching to see how I’d handle it. That’s when I took my first shaky step into entrepreneurship, starting my own virtual assistant business from the corner of my living room in an unstable job market.

I didn’t feel ready. I didn’t feel brave. I felt scared out of my mind. But here’s what I discovered: the ground under me wasn’t any shakier than the one I’d just been standing on at my “secure” job. The difference was that this time, I was the one steering the ship.

Fast forward to today, and I’m watching déjà vu play out everywhere. Companies that promised stability are laying off thousands. Tons of federal jobs have evaporated. Entire industries are shifting overnight. And I see people asking the same questions I asked myself back then: Should I lean into entrepreneurship now, when the job market feels like quicksand?

It’s a question worth sitting with, because the answer isn’t always “quit your job tomorrow.” Sometimes the right move is starting a side hustle. Sometimes it’s dusting off your résumé and finding a company that actually values you. And sometimes it’s as simple (and scary) as asking your current boss for the raise or promotion you’ve been quietly earning for years.

The truth? None of these options are risk free. But neither is standing still. The real question is where you’ll have the most agency, where the power shifts from waiting for someone else’s decision to trusting your own.

That’s what we’re going to unpack here: the case for starting something of your own, the case for finding a new job, and why sometimes the bravest move of all is asking for more where you already are.

The Truth About Job Security

We grew up with this idea that if you got a “good job” and worked hard, you’d be taken care of. Steady paycheck, maybe some benefits, maybe even a pension if you were really lucky. It was a package deal called “job security.” But let’s be honest, job security has always been more of a myth than a reality, a story we were sold to keep us in line rather than a promise anyone intended to keep.

Think about it. In 2008, people who had done everything “right,” stayed loyal, worked overtime, and stacked up years of experience were suddenly unemployed when the financial crisis hit. During the pandemic, whole industries shut down almost overnight and millions of workers were left with nothing but questions. And now, here we are in 2025, with the unstable job market making headlines every week. Even government jobs, once held up as “safe for life,” are getting slashed.

There’s a new twist this time. Companies are adopting artificial intelligence faster than most of us can keep track of, and every shiny rollout seems to come with a round of layoffs. And it isn’t just factory jobs or routine paperwork. White-collar roles in marketing, customer service, legal support, and even mid-management are being “streamlined” because some software supposedly can do what three employees once handled. I’m not convinced it actually can, at least not without mistakes and headaches, but that hasn’t stopped leadership from betting paychecks on it. I wrote about this in my recent newsletter, where I asked whether we’re diving into AI too quickly or if we are failing to prepare. You can read it if you’re curious as to my thoughts on the matter.

This is the uncomfortable truth. Job stability has never really been in your control. You may boost your odds by being the hardest worker in the room, but at the end of the day someone in a boardroom decides if your role is still “worth keeping.” And right now, that decision is often guided by efficiency charts, shareholder demands, or the latest tech demo.

Here’s the irony. People still talk about entrepreneurship as the risky choice and traditional employment as the safe one. But when the unstable job market keeps pulling the rug out from under people who played by every rule, which one is really riskier?

Neither path is wrapped in bubble wrap. Starting a business comes with inconsistent income and a steep learning curve. Sticking with an employer means trusting that their version of “what’s best for the company” will always include you.

I’ve lived through this. Losing my job in 2007 didn’t feel fair. I had worked hard, kept my head down, and thought I was safe. But it taught me that security isn’t about one paycheck from one employer. That’s like standing on one leg in a windstorm. It looks fine until the gust hits, and then you’re flat on the ground.

That doesn’t mean the answer is always “quit.” It does mean it’s time to look at your options with clear eyes. Real security is about building a foundation that can’t be knocked out by a CEO, a sudden budget cut, or the latest algorithm. Sometimes that means leaning into entrepreneurship. Sometimes it means making a smart career move. And sometimes it means asking for the raise or promotion that makes staying worth it.

Entrepreneurship: Freedom or Fool’s Gold?

When people hear the word “entrepreneurship,” they often picture a Shark Tank pitch, a shiny tech startup, or someone with a trust fund who can afford to “take risks.” That’s not the reality most of us live in. For many, entrepreneurship starts at a kitchen table with a laptop, a stack of bills, and the realization that nobody else is coming to save us.

After losing my job, I didn’t start a business because I thought it would be glamorous. I started it because I had a child getting ready to enter college and bills that weren’t going to wait. My first “office” was the corner of my dining room. My marketing budget was zero. And my business plan was basically, “Let’s see if this works before the lights get shut off.”

Here’s the thing about entrepreneurship. It’s not about being fearless. It’s about being willing to move even when you’re afraid. It’s about taking whatever skills you already have and asking, “Who needs this and will pay me for it?” That’s the real beginning of a business.

And before you roll your eyes and say, “That sounds risky,” let me remind you that jobs are risky too. We just covered that. The unstable job market has proven again and again that no paycheck is guaranteed. The difference is that when you work for yourself, you’re the one calling the shots. If you’re going to deal with uncertainty anyway, wouldn’t you rather have some control over it?

Now, let’s talk about what entrepreneurship actually looks like. It is not always quitting your job cold turkey and diving in headfirst. It can start as a side hustle. Maybe you freelance a skill you already have. Maybe you sell digital products online. Maybe you finally put that Etsy shop idea into motion. Entrepreneurship is a spectrum, and you get to decide how far you step into it.

There are plenty of reasons why it makes sense, especially in a shaky economy:

• You diversify your income instead of relying on one paycheck.
• You gain flexibility to work in a way that fits your life, whether that means picking up the kids from school or managing health challenges.
• You start building something that belongs to you, instead of pouring all your effort into making someone else rich.

I’m not here to sugarcoat it. There are downsides. Starting a business can mean inconsistent income, late nights learning things you never thought you’d need to know, and a whole lot of responsibility landing on your shoulders. There are moments when you’ll want to throw your laptop out the window. Trust me, I’ve had those.

But here’s a perspective shift: people assume entrepreneurship is the bigger gamble, when in reality it’s just a different kind of risk. Employment risk looks like getting blindsided by layoffs. Entrepreneurship risk looks like having to land your own clients or customers. Neither path is wrapped in a safety net, but one lets you decide how to balance the trade-offs.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard someone say, “I’d love to work for myself, but I don’t think I’m cut out for it.” That’s usually fear talking, not truth. Most entrepreneurs don’t start with a perfect plan or a huge bankroll. They start with necessity, curiosity, or the urge to not let someone else’s decision dictate their entire future.

If that sounds like you, then maybe entrepreneurship isn’t foolish at all. Maybe it’s the smartest response to an unstable job market. Because here’s the hard truth: while employees are waiting for managers to decide their worth, entrepreneurs are out here deciding it for themselves.

The Case for Changing Jobs

Starting a business isn’t the only way to take back control when things feel shaky. Sometimes the smartest move is simply getting a better job. People forget that a career change can be just as powerful as entrepreneurship, especially when the job you’ve got feels like it’s draining the life out of you.

And let’s be clear, the unstable job market doesn’t mean there are no jobs out there. What it really means is the wrong jobs are drying up. The ones that underpay people, treat them like they’re replaceable, or run on outdated systems are getting cut. At the same time, companies that are growing and adapting are still hiring. You won’t see that plastered all over the news because “company treats employees well” doesn’t get clicks.

So what do you actually get out of a job change?

For starters, money. Most people get bigger raises by switching companies than by waiting years for their current boss to finally notice their worth. If you’ve ever sat through a performance review hoping for a big bump and walked out with a 3 percent “cost of living” increase, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

Then there’s culture. If your workplace feels toxic, soul-sucking, or just plain exhausting, walking into a new environment can feel like fresh air. Imagine logging into work and not dreading every meeting invite. It’s possible.

And don’t forget growth. Staying in the same role too long can leave you feeling like you’re standing still while the world spins on without you. A new job can push you to learn new skills, meet new people, and keep your career alive instead of stagnant.

Now, I won’t sugarcoat it. Changing jobs has risks too. Sometimes the new place looks shiny on the outside but turns out to be the same circus with different clowns. That’s why it pays to do your homework. Ask around. Stalk their Glassdoor page. Pay attention to how they handled tough times in the past. Did they ditch people the second the budget got tight, or did they look for ways to keep the team intact?

The other piece is alignment. In an unstable job market, it’s tempting to grab the first offer that lands in your lap. But if you’re serious about creating some stability for yourself, you’ve got to ask whether the company lines up with your values. Do they invest in people? Do they keep up with technology without tossing employees aside in the process? Do they have leaders you’d actually trust?

I’ve watched plenty of people wrestle with whether they should start a business, only to realize that what they really needed was a better job. And that’s fine. Sometimes the leap isn’t into entrepreneurship, it’s into a company that finally pays you what you’re worth and doesn’t leave you questioning your sanity every Friday afternoon.

Bottom line? You don’t have to choose between staying stuck in misery or going all-in on self-employment. Changing jobs is a solid move in its own right. The unstable job market doesn’t mean you’re trapped. It just means you have to be more deliberate about where you land.

The Power of Asking for More Where You Are

There’s a third option people overlook when the unstable job market has everyone in a panic. You don’t always have to quit. You don’t always have to start fresh. Sometimes the smartest move is staying put and asking for more.

Now, I know what you might be thinking. This is the worst time to ask for a raise. The economy’s shaky. My company just laid people off. I’ll look greedy or ungrateful. That’s the script running in most people’s heads, which is exactly why so many companies get away with paying less than they should. They know most employees won’t speak up.

The “perfect” time to ask for more almost never arrives. There’s always some excuse companies can lean on. What matters is whether you’ve earned it, whether you can show the value you bring, and whether you’re willing to back yourself.

Let’s talk about why now might actually be the right time. When businesses are nervous about turnover, they’ll do what they can to hold onto their best people. Hiring new staff is expensive, training them is time-consuming, and losing institutional knowledge can be a nightmare. If you’ve proven you’re reliable, you may have more leverage than you realize.

So how do you approach it without breaking into a nervous sweat? A few things help:

• Gather receipts. And no, not the Costco ones in your purse. I’m talking about proof of your impact. Did you bring in new business? Streamline a process? Save the company money? Put it in writing.
• Frame it in terms of value. “I deserve this because I’ve been here five years” doesn’t land nearly as well as “Here’s what I’ve contributed, and here’s how that translates to money saved or growth achieved.”
• Time it smartly. Just wrapped up a successful project? Performance review coming up? Budget talks on the horizon? That’s when you speak up.

And for the love of caffeine, don’t apologize your way through the conversation. Too many people start with, “I hate to ask” or “I know times are tough.” That’s like saying, “Here’s my value, but feel free to ignore it.” You wouldn’t tell a contractor to feel guilty for charging you for the work they’ve done. Don’t undercut yourself the same way.

What’s the worst-case scenario? They say no. And while rejection stings, it also gives you clarity. If they can’t or won’t recognize your value, you know it’s time to look elsewhere. That information is powerful. It can turn a vague sense of frustration into a clear plan for what comes next.

I get it, asking for a raise or promotion feels uncomfortable. It feels easier to just put your head down and hope someone notices. But hoping doesn’t pay the bills. Asking does. And even if the answer isn’t what you want, the act of speaking up for yourself is a muscle worth strengthening. Because whether you stay, go, or build something of your own, the habit of claiming your worth will follow you everywhere.

So if the unstable job market has you frozen in place, remember this: you don’t always need to burn it all down or reinvent yourself from scratch. Sometimes the boldest, smartest move is looking your boss in the eye and saying, “Here’s what I’ve done. Here’s the value I bring. Let’s talk about what that’s worth.”

How to Decide

By now you can see there isn’t one “right” answer. Entrepreneurship, changing jobs, or asking for more where you are all carry their own risks and rewards. The unstable job market doesn’t make the choice easier, but it does make it clearer: waiting around for stability to magically appear is not a strategy.

Here’s the thing. You already know, deep down, which path is pulling at you. Maybe you’re tired of someone else deciding your fate and entrepreneurship feels like the lifeline. Maybe you’re craving fresh energy and know it’s time to move to a new company. Maybe you actually like your job but you’re done being underpaid and overlooked. The whisper is already there. You just have to decide whether to listen.

If you want a framework, start with these questions:

• Do I want freedom, recognition, or stability most right now?
• Am I willing to manage risk myself, or do I want someone else to carry it?
• Is my current role something I can salvage with a raise or promotion, or is it time to walk away?

Still not sure? This is where knowing your own work style helps. I created the Work Energy Archetypes™ Quiz to help you see whether you lean toward survival, stability, or fulfillment. Your results can give you clarity on whether it makes more sense to build something of your own, chase a new role, or claim more of what you’ve already earned.

You don’t need a 50-step plan. You don’t need perfect timing. You need honesty with yourself and the guts to act on it.

Here’s what you can’t afford to do: sit frozen because you’re scared of making the wrong choice. Fear of failure keeps more people stuck than actual failure ever has. In fact, failure isn’t the opposite of success, it’s how you get there. Every entrepreneur has botched launches. Every job switcher has landed in a place that wasn’t quite right. Every raise request has the chance of being turned down. And yet, those same people move forward, regroup, and keep building.

So how do you decide? You take one step in the direction that gives you the most agency, meaning the most control over your own outcome. That’s the real measure here. Having agency is the antidote to an unstable job market. It’s knowing that, whatever happens, you weren’t just waiting for someone else to decide your future.

If you stay silent, your boss will keep assuming you’re fine. If you stay stuck, your company will keep cashing in on your loyalty. And if you keep waiting, the unstable job market will keep making the choice for you. None of those scenarios put you in the driver’s seat.

So pick your lane. Ask for more. Change jobs. Build something of your own. The specific choice matters less than the fact that you made one. Because standing still isn’t safe anymore. It’s just surrender.

Taking the Next Step

At the end of the day, none of us can control the unstable job market. Layoffs will happen. Technology will keep shifting. Economies will rise and fall. What you can control is how you respond to it.

You have three real options. Build something of your own. Move to a job that fits you better. Or claim more of what you’ve already earned where you are. None of those choices is wrong. What is wrong is sitting frozen, hoping someone else will hand you the stability you want.

I’ve lived through the fear of losing work and not knowing what comes next. I’ve built a business from scratch when the “safe” path disappeared overnight. I’ve learned that stability isn’t about clinging to one paycheck, it’s about making moves that put you back in charge.

So here’s your invitation. Stop waiting. Choose a path. Even a small step counts if it’s one you decided to take. And if you need clarity on what kind of move fits you best, take my Work Energy Archetypes™ Quiz. It will help you see whether survival, stability, or fulfillment is driving your decisions right now.

The future may feel shaky, but your next step doesn’t have to.