Getting a job in a tough market
A tough market and your ability to get employed won’t change by casting blame. Finding work will happen faster if you’re realistic, forward-thinking, and active. Your chances can improve if you create a plan before you look for a new job. Face reality. In some industries, jobs are fewer and competition is more intense. Please don’t waste time and energy following people who blame the economy or the company that laid them off as the reasons they remain unemployed.
Be forward-thinking.
If you need employment, there’s no time to waste. Don’t look backward at what led to your circumstances or dwell on things you can’t change. Your best defense and hope for recovery are to be forward-thinking. In fact, whether you’re unemployed or anticipating a layoff, you should act now with preparation, planning, and execution! Rest assured, getting in front of a potential crisis will help you ride the wave much better.
Here are some actions to take to keep you afloat:
- Set goals. Create long-term employment goals that mesh with your personal goals. Include options if your situation changes or the economy dips.
- Evaluate where your time is spent. Be sure your daily activities are consistent with your goals. Make time for the activities required to keep you on track.
- Be ready. Stay aware of the immediate lifestyle changes you can make as your environment and circumstances change.
Regularly audit your skills and assess your marketability.
Business needs and available jobs will adjust to fluctuations in the economy. Stay ahead of any negative impact by regularly auditing your skills and assessing your marketability. Adjust your expectations around work and income to ensure they’re consistent with your personal and financial goals.
The following steps will help you stay ahead of a changing job market:
- Be realistic and open. Your current marketability might be dramatically different than your expectations.
- Research and listen. Scour job postings of interest. Talk to recruiters and hiring authorities. What do they tell you about skills in demand, especially compared to your skill set? Are your experiences relevant to new opportunities?
- Identify viable options. Talk to people doing the jobs you think you’re most marketable for. Determine the positions and industries you should realistically pursue.
- Don’t overreach. In a tight job market, hiring managers can get the exact skills they need without taking a risk on someone without proven experience. Don’t aim for a position that’s a stretch for you.
Set goals that can weather financial economic storms and employment changes.
Be patient. Facing a down job market and having to pivot can make you feel like you’re abandoning your goals. But stubbornly holding to old expectations without any flexibility, will likely lead you to severe emotional and financial setbacks. Even if you have to pause or take a slight detour, you can straighten back out as the economic climate and market change. Adjust your timelines and keep moving forward. This is all the more reason to set goals that can weather financial economic storms and employment changes.
For more career advice, check out my webinars on Interviewing Techniques and Strategic Networking and follow me on LinkedIn and (X) Twitter.
