Change of Focus 3.0

Redundancy and the recruitment market can be tough enough at the best of times, let alone when there is a global pandemic...

I have never been in a position where I have not been the one to make the decision about leaving a company. So along with the initial shock, fear, anxiety, dread, panic and emotion comes the complication of Covid-19.

There are two aspects to my industry that can either go in my favour or against me...

1/. Companies need people with health and safety, and project management skills to help them get back into their office spaces in a safe manner for the "new normal".

2/. There are another X amount of people in the same position, that have redundancy hanging over them, and where a role before would have 50 applicants it now has 200+.

I have been cautious to only apply for roles that meet my criteria and experience, and trying to not saturate the market with my CV as that can often be more detrimental.

Due to the volume of applicants per role, your CV has to sing, dance, shine, sparkle, and quite frankly be a rainbow unicorn to actually get noticed by some recruiters in the first instance.

When things do go well, you apply for a role, the job specification matches your experience and your qualifications, and you get the call to say you've made it to interview stage. You start to get that nervous / excitement feeling. To your surprise, stage two comes flying your way. You are nervous yet confident this time! Then the call comes, and not the one you want!

Too ambitious, worried your move wouldn't have longevity, a stepping stone...

What do you do with these phrases? 

One thing this process has taught me, is that I love the advancement of technology because I have been able to have job interviews by video conference at home in a safe space. However, I have found that sitting in front of a screen has caused me more anxiety in an interview due to the "new normal" than if it was face to face in the "old normal".

I have not dropped my standards; I still dress professionally, I still do my research, and I still go into the interview with my best foot forwards.

My struggle, and this truly is a struggle and where my anxiety forms, is not being able to "read the room". It is hard to read body language, judge facial cues, fully comprehend the tone in which the questions are being asked, and fully feel comfortable in this 'on screen' scenario.

How do you come across as confident, competent, and driven without portraying aspects which I had never considered as a negative until this recruitment process, such as ambitious, determined, and tenacious!

I had always thought that a company would want someone to join a team who was passionate about what they do, along with being competent enough for the role, and bring an element of skill to help grow the team.

Am I the one that has got this all wrong?

What is the secret to not only getting an interview, but then being made an offer? How do you prove your competence without over selling yourself or "turning the interviewer off"?

I had been positive throughout the last few weeks, but this wavers and doubt sets in when you hear certain phrases from recruiters.

What are companies actually looking for? Do they even know? Do they want talent? Do they worry that I am out to steal their role? What makes them think I would use a good opportunity as a "stepping stone"? What reasoning for rejection would seem less soul destroying?

I am happy to adapt to a situation and my surroundings, but I refuse to be a completely different person or to undersell myself. I have worked hard for my career, and continue to do so, I don't want to be made to feel ashamed of my accomplishments, and I will not mask my enthusiasm for the industry I work in or my passion and drive for success.

I have been spending my free time proactively completing online courses to keep my mind focused, and to benefit my professional development, whilst hoping to increase my probability of being an amazing asset to a company in which a new opportunity would come from, but will I start to hear that I am "over qualified"?

I know the right role is out there for me! A role which will embrace my enthusiasm, passion, drive, and ambition. A company that will see me as someone that can bring something to the team that fills a skills gap, and can help them reach the level of excellence that they crave. It just takes one person to see that potential and to give you the chance and opportunity that you strive for.

In my first post I said "Today is my first day I am not working for a company, but that does not mean I have stopped working" and this has never been more true than throughout this process so far.

To all those in the same position, keep moving forward, and take one step closer to the end goal each day. Support those around you, and most of all, never compromise on who you are for a role, as this is not the role for you, and something better will come your way!

I will leave you with the perfect quote from Oscar Wilde:

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”