Career guidance people don’t tell you is that during tough times, it’s a good time to apply for jobs because there is less competition.
Sure people are still applying but many candidates are waiting for the economy to improve. Don’t hold your breath,
Every economic downturn is different. When the dot-com bubble burst in 2000, it was hi-tech and programming jobs that took the hit. In the recession of 2008, the financial services and construction industries took a dive. With COVID-19, people working in travel, hospitality, and customer-facing services were out of work, and almost all other industries were affected to some degree.
Get your resume ready
So get your resume updated and polished with achievements. Don’t just list job titles and duties.
Highlight your strengths and your ability to deliver.
Focus on what new skills or qualifications you can add to your resume.
It might be on-the-job skills development or training in a specific skill set or further education with a private provider, TAFE or university
Include recent professional development on your resume. It shows your involvement with your industry and commitment to ongoing learning.
Hidden Job Market
Turn to former colleagues and LinkedIn contacts for leads. Friends and former colleagues provide the most reliable recommendations.
A quick email or phone call to a well-connected acquaintance or relative can give job seekers access to many positions that are never advertised, which make up the hidden job market.
The hidden job market comprises positions that are not advertised in traditional print or online sources. Such jobs are increasingly becoming available only via networking and word-of-mouth.
Go and meet the decision-makers, rather than waiting for the jobs to come to you.
Consider involving yourself in industry groups and attending conferences.
Creating a LinkedIn profile amounts to a virtual business card, allowing you to display your professional credentials and create links to previous work.
The online community available to LinkedIn members enables professionals to network and gain referrals.
When the job market is uncertain, experienced professionals can choose to open a freelance or consulting business.
This is a smart move for people who’ve developed specialised expertise in a specific niche, and who’ve built a solid network of relevant contacts who could potentially turn into clients.