Article is located in the mainstream of the issue of the transformation of the social structure. The theoretical basis for the empirical analyzes are sociological theories of social structure and mobility, in particular, the differences between the subjective perception of position in the social structure and the objectively measured position appointed by the occupation, education and income. Article can also be seen as a voice in the debate on the issue of measuring the social structure, as it points to the need to consider other than the traditional measurement instruments, or at least the need to correct them in analyzes of social position. One of the purposes of this article is to attempt to answer the question to what extent taking place in the past two decades social, demographic and economic changes in Poland but also in Europe and the world are changing the perception of the individual’s about her place in society. In general, society is aging, young people learn longer and longer lasts period of preparation for the job (which is taking later), unemployment remains consistently at a high level (and there is no indication that this will change) simultaneous multi-skilling and employment in the various forms of employment are becoming the norm. This causes increasing the proportion of people outside the work situation and makes more difficult to clearly identify place in the occupational structure. This raises the question whether the profession is still the best indicator of social position. This article attempts to answer that question. The basis for the analysis are the data from the longitudinal empirical studies obtained in subsequent editions of two research projects: Lubuskie Social Survey (2005 and 2009) and the Polish General Social Survey (2005, 2008).