Finding work in a slower market
Looking for a new job is difficult enough without finding yourself in a market where opportunities are limited. With many businesses having made redundancies recently, there are now more candidates competing for fewer vacancies.
For candidates, that can make the search feel very different. You may be applying for roles alongside people with similar qualifications and experience, and positions that might previously have attracted a handful of applicants could now generate considerably more interest.
That does not mean there are no opportunities. It means that being proactive and making sure you stand out from the competition becomes even more important. The way you approach your job search can make a significant difference when the market is slower.
Don’t rely on job applications alone
When there are fewer vacancies and more candidates looking, simply applying for advertised roles can mean competing against a large number of other applicants. It is therefore important not to rely entirely on job boards and online applications.
Specialist recruiters can be particularly useful in a slower market because they may know about vacancies before they are advertised or be able to identify opportunities that are not publicly available. They can also provide an honest view of where your experience fits within the current market and where you may need to be flexible.
Your own professional network is also worth using. Former colleagues, professional contacts and people you have worked with previously may know about opportunities that have not yet reached the wider market. Let people know that you are looking, and be specific about the type of role you are interested in.
A direct approach can also work. If there are businesses you would particularly like to work for, there is no harm in making a considered approach rather than waiting for them to advertise a vacancy.
“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.”
– Albert Einstein
It is also worth speaking to a specialist recruiter, even if you cannot see a suitable vacancy being advertised. Recruiters often know which businesses are actively recruiting, which are considering hiring and where there may be a potential match for your experience. A conversation can also mean that you are considered for a suitable opportunity when it arises, rather than only when you happen to see the advert.
Make sure your CV is working hard
When competition increases, your CV needs to make it immediately clear what you have to offer. An employer or recruiter may be looking through a significant number of applications, so the most relevant information needs to be easy to find.
Avoid simply listing everything you have done throughout your career. If you have extensive experience, be selective about what you include and give the greatest emphasis to the roles, responsibilities and achievements that are most relevant to the type of position you are seeking.
Your CV should also reflect where you want to go next. If you are applying for several different types of role, make sure your CV demonstrates the experience that is relevant to each one rather than relying on a generic document for every application.
This does not mean leaving important experience out. It means presenting your career in a way that allows the reader to quickly understand your strengths, your level of experience and what you could bring to their organisation.
Don’t undervalue your experience
If you have been made redundant, it is important not to let the circumstances of your departure affect how you view your own experience. Redundancy is not a reflection of your ability or your value as an employee. Businesses make decisions for many different reasons, and highly experienced professionals can find themselves affected by them.
It can also be easy to lose confidence when applications do not result in interviews or offers as quickly as you would expect. In a slower market, however, the number of available vacancies is outside your control. A longer job search does not automatically mean that there is something wrong with your CV, your experience or your approach.
Be prepared to talk confidently about what you have achieved, the experience you have gained and the value you can bring to a new employer. If you have a strong track record, make sure that comes across clearly rather than allowing the current market to make you question it.
Don’t undervalue your experience
If you have been made redundant, it is important not to let the circumstances of your departure affect how you view your own experience. Redundancy is not a reflection of your ability or your value as an employee. Businesses make decisions for many different reasons, and highly experienced professionals can find themselves affected by them.
It can also be easy to lose confidence when applications do not result in interviews or offers as quickly as you would expect. In a slower market, however, the number of available vacancies is outside your control. A longer job search does not automatically mean that there is something wrong with your CV, your experience or your approach.
Be prepared to talk confidently about what you have achieved, the experience you have gained and the value you can bring to a new employer. If you have a strong track record, make sure that comes across clearly rather than allowing the current market to make you question it.
“Every exit is an entry somewhere else.”
– Tom Stoppard
Be open-minded about your next move
A slower market may mean that your ideal role is not immediately available. That does not necessarily mean you need to compromise on your career, but it may be worth considering a wider range of employers, responsibilities or opportunities than you would normally consider.
Think carefully about which aspects of your next role are genuinely important to you and where you have some flexibility. You may be able to consider a different type of organisation, a slightly different role or an opportunity that offers a different route to where you ultimately want your career to go.
It is also worth preparing for a longer search. If you are used to finding a new position relatively quickly, having to wait longer can be frustrating. Try not to interpret a lack of immediate offers as a reflection of your suitability. The market may simply be taking longer to move.
While you are searching, keep your professional network active and make sure your LinkedIn profile is current. Continue developing your knowledge and skills where appropriate, and stay informed about what is happening within your profession. The right opportunity may come through a conversation rather than an application.
The bottom line
- Don’t rely solely on advertised vacancies.
- Make your CV work harder.
- Don’t let redundancy undermine your confidence.
- Stay open to different opportunities.
- Keep visible, connected and ready for opportunities.
A slower job market can make finding your next role more challenging, but it does not mean that good opportunities have disappeared. Being proactive, presenting your experience effectively and staying open to the right opportunities can put you in a much stronger position when the right role does come along.
