Here’s how to accelerate your career during uncertain times and prepare for the workplace in 2023, according to experts

Despite the uncertainty surrounding economic stability in 2022, employment remained strong across Asia . The strength of the market left companies competing for talent and gave rise to a series of trends, like quiet quitting , that saw employees taking advantage of an increase in demand and snubbing jobs that did not offer remote work or flexible working hours.

But with the economic growth projected to slow in 2023, a generation of professionals are witnessing layoffs like never before. While some are finding it difficult to take control of the situation, others are taking stock of what they want from their careers. Many are career cushioning — they are either looking for a change, switching industries or acquiring new skills to grow in their current roles.??

Keeping that in mind, experts believe that job seekers and career builders alike will need help in successfully navigating this change and turn uncertainty into their advantage.?

The pressure is also on leaders, as a booming gig economy , continued push for more flexibility and no end in sight for the great return-to-office debate forces employers to look deeper and deliver greater transparency.

From tips for job searching in volatile times to finding confidence at work, we spoke with this year’s LinkedIn Top Voices to get their take on driving the career you want. Whether you’re considering a new role, actively trying to find your next play or are new to the workforce, these experts are showing what it takes to find success.

Kurly de Guzman, ICF PCC for example, guides professionals towards sustainable growth rather than finding quick fix solutions. Cindi Wirawan 林幸妮 , a job search consultant, is helping millennials discover new career opportunities using social media. And Chevonne Hassan - Courage Coach , a people-centered coach, helps young professionals embrace and grow through their vulnerabilities to lead with courage.?

Also find out where the fastest-growing opportunities are emerging with LinkedIn’s 2023 Jobs on the Rise lists .

What do you think are the most important topics to talk about in the job search and careers space? Check out these Top Voices’ insights and share your thoughts in the comments below and/or in a post using #GetHiredAsia .

What he talks about: Having transitioned from being an investment banker to a professional coach , Eric Sim offers tips on how to build your skills for a successful career , and gets you to think about life and money. He interviews hawkers, tailors and even a shoe polisher to deliver the best advice to get ahead.

What’s your top piece of advice for career builders??

It’s not easy for recent graduates to compete with each other as most of them have similar credentials. They should try to be a combo specialist .

Take an example of a ‘combo’ meal at McDonald’s. It typically consists of a burger, a pack of fries and a glass of cola. The burger and fries, in this case, are your primary and secondary specialisations, and the cola is your interest. There are three main benefits of becoming a combo specialist:

• You can gradually change your specialisations into new areas as you combine your core and secondary skills with your interests.
• You have a competitive edge over one-dimensional specialists.
• You enjoy your job more as you’re incorporating your interests into your work.

What steps are necessary to build a successful personal brand??

When I left investment banking to become an executive coach, I thought it would be easy, given the success I saw in my banking career. I organised my first training workshop but couldn't get enough participants. I quickly realised that I was known as a banker, not a coach. I could find success in banking because I had big brands backing my employers. On my own, I could only rely on my personal brand.?

A strong personal brand requires so much more than having a nice LinkedIn profile . It takes patience to transit from one profession to another as it takes time for new potential customers to know you and your offering. Job seekers can build their personal brand with 3Cs:

• Content: Decide on the content you want to be known for.
• Consistency: Be consistent with your posting frequency. It could be once a week, to start with.
• Community: Reach out to people who share the same values as you and build your community. They will help to support your work.

Join Sim live in conversation next Wednesday, February 1 at 9 pm (SGT).

?? Follow 沈文才Eric Sim for more tips.

What she talks about: Mei Phing Lim is known for helping professionals grow their careers in the corporate world using a three-step framework. She covers all things related to a corporate career — from adapting to a new role with confidence, value-positioning for a job promotion to salary negotiations.?

What’s your advice for job seekers, especially when navigating the challenges of an uncertain economic environment?

It's important for job seekers to know that companies will continue to invest in talent — professionals who have the right skills and value will attract new opportunities. My three-step formula would be to:

• Start by expanding your internal network and build a strong LinkedIn community of like-minded professionals.?
• Continue to master all aspects of communication — from active listening to articulate expression and body language. These will help you build a strong foundation to engage with all levels of management.?
• Make an effort to invest in certifications or courses that might help you to deliver your KPIs more efficiently and boost your employability.

Any experts on LinkedIn that they should look out for, to seek advice??

I personally prefer learning from current/former corporate leaders with proven years of experience in the corporate world. I recommend younger professionals to follow David Wee and Lung-Nien Lee FCB from Singapore.?

?? Follow Mei Phing Lim for more tips.

What she talks about: With over 17 years of experience in leadership and career development, Kurly de Guzman talks about what goes on beneath the iceberg that professionals don't usually pay attention to or talk about — doubt, self-worth, failure and value-proposition . Her topics centre around career agility, and enabling professionals for sustainable growth.

How do you encourage leaders to navigate through the challenges of people management??

“I am hesitant to speak up and face the consequences,” shared an Asian client, who is based abroad, while talking about her career aspirations. And said many other leaders who shared their sentiments during focus group discussions and one-on-one conversations.

Working with leaders in the region made me realise that there is so much potential in each of us . Here's what I've learnt from my own experience:

• Don't forget to fill your own cup: Managing people and meeting deadlines can use up a lot of your time and energy. But you can only be effective as a manager when your own needs are met.?
• Seek help when needed: You don't need to know all the answers, and you don't need to do it all by yourself.
• Establish trust and strengthen relationships: Creating a safe space where people can try, fail and learn together can greatly improve performance.

How can job seekers recession-proof themselves? Any specific skills that they should work on?

These may not be skills that you'd see in a job post, but these are definitely the skills that will enable you to continually reinvent yourself and be successful in your career:

• Self-awareness
• Curiosity to learn and grow
• Agility

?? Follow Kurly de Guzman, ICF PCC for more tips.

What she talks about: For the last 10 years, Cindi Wirawan has been helping millennials and leaders progress in their current roles and find new opportunities through social media. She believes that many potential candidates underestimate the power of social media and need guidance on how to use it successfully.

How should job seekers leverage social media for better career opportunities?

Most job seekers have not tapped into the full potential of social media for better career opportunities. They simply use it to apply for jobs, digest content and occasionally reach out to former colleagues.

My ABCs of social job hunting are to Attract, Build and Connect.?

• Attract recruiters to your profile: Start with making your social media profile public and make sure it looks attractive with relevant information. If it’s LinkedIn, optimise your profile so you can be found easily.
• Build your personal brand on social media: Share content that can showcase your value, personality and thought leadership. Engage in conversations online, especially with relevant topics so that your presence is seen and felt by those in your industry.
• Connect with others on your chosen platform so you can grow and expand your network.?

Join Cindi live in conversation next Tuesday, January 31 at 12 pm (SGT).

?? Follow Cindi Wirawan 林幸妮 for more tips.

What she talks about: With over 20 years of experience in the outsourcing industry, Chevonne thrives on empowering and inspiring others. She writes about leadership and isn't afraid to speak up and challenge outdated ways of working. She believes that it takes a combination of coaching, training, and a teachable spirit to be a great leader in the workplace .

Could you guide professionals who are looking to switch careers like you??

Fifteen years ago, a supervisor told me I wouldn't amount to anything with my then attitude and behaviour. Instead of feeling demoralised, I used it as a way to motivate myself to become a successful leadership coach. Here are my two cents for people who are looking to switch careers:??

• Ensure you have at least one year's net pay to support yourself and your family.
• Be your cheerleader as you navigate through new challenges and unfamiliar situations.
• Look after your overall health and wellbeing, and maximise a strong support system for emotional support.

What advice would you give to people who are trying to recover from a job loss?

My top piece of advice for people who’ve lost their jobs is that none of this comes with a guarantee. What we can do is focus on increasing our skills and become the best version of ourselves. Sharing a few things that I learnt from my personal experience:

• Jobs come and go; nobody can take away your skills, knowledge, talent, and character.
• Try not to dwell on it day in and day out because feelings of anxiety, hopelessness, and depression could make it even more difficult to find a new job.
• Make each day meaningful. Do something every day that gives you a sense of purpose and accomplishment.

?? Follow Chevonne Hassan - Courage Coach for more tips.?

Have questions about how to recession-proof your career or take your job search to the next level? Join Get Hired by LinkedIn News Asia on Tuesday, January 31 at 12 pm (Singapore time), as LinkedIn’s Top Voices Cindi Wirawan answers your questions live! Click "Attend" to join .

Reported and proofread by: Neha Jain Kale

Creator Manager: Alita Utari Dewi

Managing Editor: Satoshi Ebitani

Special projects leads: Natalie MacDonald (APAC), Michele Pierri (International)

Regional Lead: Pooja Chhabria

International Executive Editor: Sandrine Chauvin

About this article

This article features experts from LinkedIn's Top Voices program covering job search and career development. Top Voices is an invitation-only program featuring a global group of experts on LinkedIn covering a range of topics across the professional world, helping members uncover valuable knowledge relevant to them. You can learn more here .?

You can also revisit our other Top Voices articles for 2022, including Greener Together , Gender Equity , Company Culture .?

Who is eligible to be a Top Voice

LinkedIn members who meet high trust standards, are consistently active on the platform and share valuable expertise are eligible to be a Top Voice, with the exception of LinkedIn and Microsoft employees, members who have violated LinkedIn’s User Agreement — including our Professional Community Policies — or individuals currently running in a political election for an executive, legislative or judicial position.

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