The Resilience Required to Bounce Back in Today's Economy
I’ve been reflecting on a story I came across recently about someone’s career rollercoaster over the past couple of years, and it really struck a chord with me. This person went from law to management consulting, got made redundant when the industry tanked, spent six months unemployed, took a massive pay cut to get back in the door, then worked themselves to the bone for nine months before finally landing a promotion that nearly doubled their previous salary.
It’s one of those stories that encapsulates so much of what’s been happening in the Australian job market lately, and honestly, it’s both inspiring and deeply concerning at the same time.
The inspiring bit is obvious – this person showed incredible grit. Taking that junior role at a much lower salary, supporting two mortgages and parents, working late nights and weekends for nine months straight. That’s the kind of determination that makes you want to applaud. The fact that their employer recognised their value and rewarded them appropriately gives me a bit of hope that some companies still understand how to retain good talent.
But here’s what gets under my skin: the fact that this level of sacrifice is what it takes to get ahead these days. Six months of unemployment despite having solid experience. Taking a role that severely undervalued their skills just to survive. Working unsustainable hours just to prove their worth. When did this become the standard path to career progression?
I’ve seen this pattern play out with friends and colleagues here in Melbourne’s tech scene too. The consulting industry meltdown of 2024 wasn’t unique – we’ve seen similar contractions across various sectors. People with decades of experience suddenly finding themselves competing for junior roles, and employers taking advantage of the desperation by offering packages that would have been insulting five years ago.
What particularly resonates with me is the comment about keeping this victory quiet because “most people around me are still doing it tough.” There’s something profound about that sentiment – the recognition that individual success doesn’t happen in a vacuum, and that celebrating too loudly when others are struggling feels tone-deaf. It’s very Australian in a way, that tall poppy sensitivity, but it also speaks to a broader awareness of the economic inequality that’s becoming more pronounced.
The responses to this story were telling too. Several people shared similar experiences of being forced to take massive pay cuts, work unsustainable hours, and essentially rebuild their careers from scratch. One person mentioned working for a Big Four firm at half their previous salary, describing the experience as “hell” before finally finding something better. These aren’t isolated incidents – they’re symptoms of a broader shift in the employment landscape.
From my perspective in IT, I’ve watched as companies have become increasingly willing to treat employees as disposable, knowing there are always desperate candidates willing to accept less. The pandemic gave employers a taste of having the upper hand, and many seem reluctant to let that go even as conditions improve.
But there’s also something to be said for the adaptability and resilience that people are showing. Career pivots that once seemed risky are becoming necessary survival skills. The ability to take a step back, rebuild, and come out stronger is becoming as valuable as any technical skill set. This person’s journey from law to consulting shows that the linear career path our parents’ generation knew is increasingly obsolete.
The part that gives me hope is seeing employers who actually recognise and reward exceptional performance. That promotion and salary jump didn’t happen by accident – it happened because someone was paying attention and understood that keeping great talent requires more than just a pat on the back. More companies need to learn this lesson before they lose their best people to competitors who get it.
Looking at the broader picture, stories like this highlight why we need better social safety nets and worker protections. Six months of unemployment shouldn’t be financially devastating for someone with solid professional experience. The gig economy and contract culture have eroded so many of the securities that previous generations took for granted.
Despite all the challenges, there’s something encouraging about the community response to this person’s story. People genuinely celebrating others’ successes, sharing their own struggles, and offering support. Maybe that’s what we need more of – recognition that we’re all navigating this together, and that lifting each other up is the only way we’re going to get through whatever economic turbulence lies ahead.
The resilience people are showing in this economy is remarkable, but we shouldn’t have to be this resilient just to maintain a decent standard of living.