Are you flexible enough?

Almost a year ago, I started on this job - my very first job, as a trainee in my department. Back then, one of the things that most attracted me from the job description is the word flexibility. To be able to be turned, bowed, or twisted, without breaking into pieces - or in other words, to accept whatever comes on you with courage and decision. My mind started picturing anything that can be related to this word in a job - a broad variety of tasks, working with different cultures and traveling a lot. Yes, that's pretty much my dream job.

But then, during this year, I learned that this word is pure marketing. Yes, I do have the above in my current job; but flexibility wants much more than just a small suitcase and an ability to socialize with all-man-kind. It's being ready for eternal uncertainty regarding your job, your location and your tasks. It's being asked to relocate anywhere in a short period of time under a take it or leave it contract. It's never having too many personal stuff with you, in case you have to go. It's not making plans in more than 4 months in advance, 'cause you'll never know where you will be by then.

My company is a market player. It needs to be flexible and adapt quickly - when one market is hot, more resources will be destined to this market; and if it's falling, these resources will move to another geographical area and/or department. This might end up in you being transferred to another country, another (hopefully related) division or fired. A company asking its employees to be flexible is probably flexible itself - just as mine. It will have to adapt quickly to any kind of market trends and moves, and never lag behind. This makes a dynamic job, but also a quite risky one - as your job might not be required anymore when prices fall below limits.

As much as I like my job, I've got to admit that, uncertainty is something I will still have to learn how to deal with.