by Marlin Bressi

Created on: March 19, 2009   Last Updated: December 30, 2010

There are many ways to lose a job. Some are because of our own negligence or incompetence, and some are simply beyond our control. No matter how you lose a job, the experience can be quite stressful and traumatic. Some ways of losing a job are obvious, but there are many other ways one can lose a job that aren't as apparent. Here are a few ways to lose a job that every job-seeker should keep in mind.

1. Bad Timing. Success doesn't entirely depend on hard work and dedication. Success is often the result of being in the right place at the right time. Being in the wrong career field at the wrong time can often lead to unemployment. For example, it wouldn't be a smart idea to become a realtor when the demand for housing is low. When the price of gasoline skyrockets, it isn't a good time to become a car salesman.

2. The Wrong Career. Sometimes people end up following a career path for the wrong reasons. Some people choose a career because they are attracted to the salary, while others choose a career by following in the footsteps of their parents or grandparents. Unless you are passionate about your career, you will often feel stressed out and frustrated. It is much harder to lose a job you are passionate about than a job for which you have no passion or enthusiasm.

3. Mechanization. It is hard to feel secure about your job if your job can be performed by a machine. If you want to feel secure about your job, choose a career where outsourcing or mechanization isn't a risk. For instance, barbers don't have to worry about their job being outsourced to India. Chefs don't have to worry about being replaced by a robot. Nurses don't have to worry about being replaced by a computer.

4. Living in the Wrong Place. All over America, some cities are thriving while others are dying. Let's use Ohio as an example. The population of Columbus has doubled in the past decade, while the population of Cincinnati has declined considerably in the past decade. If you want to be successful, you have to go where the action is.

5. Entitlement. Many people entering the work force are part of a generation which feels entitled to more than they deserve. The traditional model is to start at the bottom of the ladder and climb to the top. Unfortunately, many young people these days refuse to start at the bottom of the ladder. If you are an employee who possesses this entitlement attitude, it is only a matter of time until you're replaced. Being a team player and having a winning attitude are traits that never go out of style with employers.

As you can see, even if you are the best at what you do it is still possible to find yourself on the outside of success looking in. In order to maximize your chances of success, it is important to realize that there are more ways to lose a job than simply getting fired or becoming a victim of corporate downsizing.

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