The new rules for building a career — and protecting it

This Business Insider analysis describes a 'career protection era' where workers must invest significantly more time and effort beyond their core jobs to build and sustain careers. Key strategies include proactively preparing for layoffs (e.g., Kent Ha started job hunting before being laid off by Intel), building personal brands on LinkedIn to stand out among thousands of applicants, learning AI skills outside work hours (e.g., Maahir Sharma spends 20 hours/week on AI side projects), and expanding professional networks through relocation or paid communities. The article notes a 35% increase in non-degree credentials on resumes, driven by AI advances and job security fears. Workers report that strong performance and experience alone are no longer sufficient, requiring constant self-marketing and skill adaptation.