Your job Doesn’t Care about you

This is a bit of a rant. A heartfelt one. Less polished than usual. But it needs to be said.

Lately, I’ve had several friends, colleagues, and even members of my creative circles get laid off—some after 20 years of loyalty to a company. That kind of thing hits me hard. And honestly, it pisses me off.

At the same time, I hear from designers who can’t even get in the door—struggling to land interviews or feeling stuck on the outside looking in. If that’s you, I want to tell you a few things I’ve learned over three decades in this industry.

I’ve interviewed around 4,000 designers and hired more than 400. I’ve been a VP of Design at two Fortune 100 companies and an Executive Creative Director at two global branding agencies. I’ve led creative teams as small as three and as large as sixty-five. I’ve seen every side of how companies work—and how they treat people.

And I’m here to share some unfiltered truths about your job, your employer, and your career.

1. You’re the Only One Who’s Got You

You are number one. No one else will watch out for you the way you will.

Companies don’t exist to protect your career—they exist to protect their bottom line. You can give everything you’ve got for years and still be on the chopping block when budgets tighten. So take care of yourself first: your growth, your learning, your opportunities. You are your best safety net.

2. HR Is Not Your Friend (But Recruiters Are)

At your company, HR’s job is to protect the company. You’re a human resource—just like a desk, a computer, or a file cabinet. That sounds harsh, but it’s true.

However, external recruiters can be your allies. They make money by getting you placed. They care about your success because your success pays their bills. Build relationships with them. Keep in touch even when you’re not looking. They can become valuable advocates when you need them most.

3. YOU Are Your Own Career Insurance

Nobody’s going to swoop in to “save” your career. You are your career insurance policy.

That means developing professional agency—the ability to direct your career on your own terms. Build your personal brand. Keep your portfolio sharp. Stay visible. If your name carries credibility, you’ll have power and protection no matter what happens next.

4. The Creative Industry Has an Age Problem

The design and marketing industries are deeply ageist. The AIGA did a massive survey that found fewer than 10% of graphic designers are working past 50. Think about that. Where do the rest go?

The truth is, industries like tech, design, marketing, and entertainment are obsessed with youth. Older designers often get pushed out or quietly sidelined.

That’s why staying current—learning new tools, staying curious, and maintaining relevance—isn’t optional. It’s survival.

5. When It Ends, It’s Probably Not Your Fault

Layoffs happen. Mergers happen. Budgets get slashed. Departments disappear. When it happens to you, it’s rarely because you did something wrong.

The worst thing you can do is internalize it as a personal failure. It’s not. It’s business. Don’t let a company’s decision define your worth. Pick yourself up, learn what you can, and move forward.

6. It’s Who You Know, Not What You Know

You’ve heard it a million times, but it’s still the truth. Relationships are everything.

The job you’ll have next will almost certainly come from someone you know—a past colleague, a classmate, a peer in your network. Cultivate relationships constantly. Check in with people, collaborate, share your work.

This belongs in the “things I wish I’d learned earlier” category. I could have saved myself a lot of pain if I’d realized sooner how much relationships drive opportunity.

7. Stay in Beginner’s Mind

You’re never done learning.

In Zen philosophy, “Beginner’s Mind” means approaching every new challenge with openness, curiosity, and humility. The moment you think you’ve got it all figured out, you start to stagnate. The creative industry evolves too fast for that. Stay curious, stay teachable, stay adaptable.

8. The Shape of Your Skills Matters

Employers love T-shaped people—those with a broad range of knowledge but deep expertise in one area. That’s great for them.

But you? You need to think V-shaped. Go deep in your specialty, yes, but also carve out a few adjacent areas where you can stand out. For example, if you’re a designer, learn strategy. If you’re a strategist, learn presentation skills. The “V” is deeper, sharper, and more self-directed. It’s what gives you leverage.

9. Show Your Work (Even If You’re Not Supposed To)

Here’s a bit of real-world advice that might make a few lawyers nervous.

Non-compete and confidentiality clauses are increasingly unenforceable in places like California—and rarely pursued elsewhere. If you did great work at your last job, show it. Be respectful, of course, but don’t hide your best work out of fear.

If someone sends you a cease-and-desist letter, just take the work down. No one’s going to jail over a portfolio piece. In 99.9% of cases, nothing happens. But hiding your accomplishments out of fear? That’s career suicide.

The Bottom Line

Your job doesn’t care about you. But you can.

You can care enough to keep learning, stay connected, protect your professional identity, and build a reputation that no layoff can take away.

Because at the end of the day, companies will come and go. But your reputation, your network, and your skills—that’s what’s truly yours.