Stuck in Job Hugging Mode? Why Now Is the Time to Prepare for What’s Next

The job market in 2026 feels…complicated.

According to recent research, 75% of professionals want to stay put in their roles at least until 2027 – because they're afraid to move.

It's called "job hugging": staying in your role not because it fulfills you, but because it feels safe.

And even among those who are open to new opportunities, 76% don't feel prepared to make the jump.

People want something better. They're just afraid to reach for it.

Here’s what nobody’s saying out loud: the best time to prepare for your next move is now, when you’re not actively job hunting, and urgency isn’t driving your decisions.

When the market turns around—and it will—the people who used this time to get ready will move with confidence and clarity. They won't be scrambling to update their resume, figure out their story, or rebuild their network.

Right now, while you have breathing room, do the foundational work that positions you to move strategically.

And while everyone's talking about AI, here's what's overlooked: You possess irreplaceable value.

The sophisticated human capabilities you've developed over decades: emotional intelligence, nuanced communication, strategic relationship building, complex problem-solving—are exactly what organizations need most.

But if you wait until you’re actively job hunting to articulate this value, you’ll be operating from urgency instead of confidence.

The professionals who thrive in transitions prepare intentionally.

Does this sound like you? 

When you stay stuck in "job hugging" mode, months turn into years. The transition you've been thinking about for 12-18 months becomes the transition you're still thinking about three years from now. Your confidence erodes. Opportunities pass you by.

And the most painful: You lose the chance to design this chapter intentionally. Instead of moving toward something you've thoughtfully chosen, you end up reacting to whatever circumstances force your hand.

What You Can Do Right Now

Envision your ideal day, three years from now. Not what you should want. What would genuinely light you up?

• What time do you wake up, and how do you feel?

• What are you working on, and why does it matter?

• Who are you collaborating with?

• What does balance look like?

  
  

Write it out. Then identify the 3-5 non-negotiable elements that need to be present for you to feel fulfilled.

Once you know what those elements are, you can start making decisions that move you toward them, even while in your current role. This will ensure that you have more meaning and purpose now and in the future.

You can't design your next chapter if you don't know what you're designing toward!

The market will turn around. The question is: 

When it does, will you be ready to move with confidence?

Now is the time – while you have space to reflect, plan, and build the foundation for what's next.

•••••••

If you're a woman in your 40s, 50s, or 60s ready to stop "job hugging" and start designing your next chapter with clarity and confidence, we'd love to support you.

Join us for our 12th Reinvention Collective cohort training—our signature 12-week program starting March 10th at Luminary in NYC.

Our participants call this experience "life-changing" and "the best professional investment they've ever made."

The market will turn around. When it does, you'll be ready.

Not sure if it's the right fit? Learn more and book a complimentary Discovery Call!

About the Authors:

Linda Lautenberg and Judy Schoenberg are career strategists and co-founders of EvolveMe, where they help professionals develop the human-centered skills essential for thriving in an ever-evolving world of work. They are based in the NYC area.