How to build your career in uncertain times, according to experts
Get Hired by LinkedIn News Australia
We talk about finding work and excelling where you are right now.
Your job is part of your story. It shapes your personality, abilities, friendship groups and the way you respond when it really matters.
Whether you are in a dream job, or have found a reasonably matched way to use your skills, there’s always room to look beyond your current role to consider professional development and new opportunities.
Career progression over the past three years has been mixed. As Australia and New Zealand step out of the peak of the pandemic, a sense of economic uncertainty has settled for some industries. A cost of living crisis and downturn fears in 2022 prompted professionals to seek more stability and security — with the terms ‘quiet quitting’ and ‘career cushioning’ speaking to the sense of disquiet.
If the pandemic has taught professionals anything, it’s that we are collectively more resilient and capable than we thought possible and, with the right counsel and skills, we can transform our careers into rewarding, future-proofed vocations that align with our personal values.
Find out where the fastest-growing opportunities are emerging with LinkedIn’s 2023 Jobs on the Rise lists in Australia and New Zealand .
So whose advice do you listen to? From high-profile chief wellbeing officers to recruitment insiders and people with a unique cultural perspective, we spoke to LinkedIn Top Voices to get their take on what professionals can do to find confidence, work mindfully and secure a job that’s right for them.
What’s your best advice for job seekers? Check out these Top Voices’ insights and share your thoughts in the comments below and/or in a post using #GetHired .
Even during uncertain economic times, “Recruitment never sleeps.” That’s the advice from Rosie McCarthy ? Career Fulfilment Coach , a former international HR manager who founded her own career fulfillment coaching business focused on gen Z and millennials, Badass Careers LLC . She says employers may be more discerning with their budget allocation in 2023, with some sectors like tech enacting hiring freezes, but she still believes talent will find a way.
“Remember, companies want to survive this thing too, and good companies know that they’ll always need quality talent to compete. Companies with faith in the future of their company will keep investing in their talent pool.”
She predicts 2023 will be a “mixed bag” for recruitment, with some industries likely to feel the pinch, such as real estate, while others like mental health will have a “strong upswing”.
“The constants will remain: even more technology and automation in the workforce, the growing demand for skilled workers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, and the need for workers with strong EQ, communication and collaboration skills.”
With a focus on gen Z and millennials, McCarthy says recruitment is due for an evolution.
“I’d love to see more conversations around psychological safety in the recruitment process to be yourself so that you genuinely get hired for who you are, the power balance is neutralised, and you’re much more likely to end up in the right role for both you and the company — no more underemployment or mismatched expectations.”
Russell Ayles , a former head of recruitment who founded his own recruitment firm UNRiVALLED Agency , agrees. He says candidate care is the most important issue to discuss in recruitment this year.
“Many businesses talk about how they put their customers first but then treat candidates poorly by not getting back to them.”
He says recruitment is changing in 2023, with the industry likely to adopt increasing AI and automation — but that doesn’t mean he’s out of a job. On the contrary, he says recruiters are becoming more influential than ever.
“In order to succeed as a recruiter in the coming years, it will be essential to have an open mindset that embraces change and sees opportunity in it. The role of recruiters is evolving. They are increasingly playing a central role in shaping the strategic direction of businesses. This means that recruiters will transition from simply finding and interviewing candidates to becoming key players in driving business-critical initiatives.”
His advice for anyone looking to get a new job this year is simple: “Your resume is not the best version of your experience. It is the most relevant part of your experience for the role you are applying for.”
Job seeking takes guts, developing a career requires confidence and living life as a modern professional increasingly means being attuned to how you are feeling. Is burnout creeping up? Are you energised about your goals? All these questions require professionals to think about their emotions. Does that sound a bit … unprofessional???
Enter Dr Jenny Brockis — an expert in the science of high-performance thinking, creating thriving teams and improving brain health.
She says we need only look at the mainstream acceptance of the title ‘imposter syndrome’ to see that we can all benefit professionally from a bit of internal soul searching.
“Self-confidence begins with self-acceptance, kindness and compassion to the idea that as humans we are all imperfect and fallible and quite possibly all ‘imposters’ in our own minds,” Brockis tells LinkedIn.
“Giving yourself permission to not be perfect, rather to do your best and be satisfied with that, can alleviate some of the pressure we put on ourselves and reduce the tyranny of stress that otherwise so easily saps confidence in your ability.”
She says the workplace is an arena where we can draw a sense of knowing we matter in the grand scheme of the world.
“Mattering is about having significance, and that boosts confidence. Externally, knowing you have the support and trust of your colleagues, supervisor and family goes a very long way to make you feel safe to step up to a new challenge or role,” she says.
“Being seen as confident by others then creates a positive cycle of increased trust, positive emotion and stronger social ties. The greatest boost to self-confidence from external sources are those quiet words of encouragement, shared by someone who knows who you are, what you stand for and recognises your potential. Reminding yourself of that encouragement, the external validation of others’ faith in you frees you to step into your own courage and tap into your inner strengths.”
Workplaces can feed into this cycle of self-confidence, but it requires a shared understanding that delves deeper than simple team goals and objectives. Aunty Munya Andrews is an Aboriginal elder, a barrister and cultural awareness educator, who says there is much to be learned from the world’s oldest continuing culture in the world.
She facilitates yarning circles and ask-me-anything sessions as well as sharing techniques like Dadirri — a form of meditation and deep listening .
“Learning to listen in the Indigenous way, with your heart as well as your ears, means that you are deeply attuned to what is being said, how it is being said and what's not being said. This sort of listening helps to create safety and a deep sense of belonging,” she says.
“Life is too short not to try and find enjoyment in the work you do,” says Dr Kirstin Ferguson AM .
She’s an author, columnist and company director who has valuable advice for anyone looking to derive satisfaction in their job, no matter the level of seniority . Her advice for people who don’t always have that spark for work is simple.
“Focus on the task or aspect of your work which brings you the most joy and remind yourself that you are adding value not just to yourself but hopefully also for others."
Ferguson is passionate about the art of modern leadership, and is known for forging new leaders by encouraging people to find their voice and purpose.
“Remember to integrate your leadership with both your head and your heart, it is impossible to be a modern leader the world needs today without understanding both are equally important to lead well,” she says.
For professional speaker, workshop facilitator and author Alicia McKay , there’s one skill that stands above the rest when it comes to finding a valuable place for yourself at work — strategy .
“People respect leaders who are great with change and have an eye to the future,” she tells LinkedIn. “As the world becomes more automated and knowledge work becomes more complex, your capacity to solve problems, make judgment calls and devise creative solutions will be the most valuable tools in your toolkit. ”
In an ever-changing world, professionals need to draw on their adaptability more than ever, but there are also new opportunities and growth areas once only dreamed about.
What are the most important topics to talk about in the job search and careers space? Share your thoughts in the comments below and/or in a post using #GetHired .
Job Search and Careers Reporter: Cayla Dengate
Managing Editor: Capucine Yeomans
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 Tech and Innovation ,?Greener Together , Social Impact , Mental Health , First Nations and Gender Equity .
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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Navigating a constantly evolving career landscape can be challenging, but mastering the combination of technical know-how, industry expertise, and interpersonal skills can set you up for success. Keeping up with the latest trends in your field will give you a competitive edge, but it's also important to understand how you can bring value beyond just your technical abilities. Seeking feedback from colleagues can give you insight into your strengths and areas for improvement, and being adaptable and proactive in your approach can help you thrive during uncertain times.
Certified Advisory Board Chair | Board Advisor | Executive Coach | Transition Expert
1 年Thanks?Cayla Dengate?for reaching out! Transition is going to become more common and more complex. Candidates are going to need to be more deliberate and intentional in what they seek and how they position themselves in the marketplace. To succeed in the job search process and then in the job itself if successful, candidates are going to need to choose roles based on alignment of values and not skills. My key recommendation for 2023 is that people looking to change roles, careers, industries or countries spend some time developing their own Value System so that they can make deliberate decisions based on their values and how they align and not what a company is offering. This will lead to better alignment of human capital and companies. Happy for anyone to reach out Marc Flior if they need assistance on developing those value systems and applying them to transition. Leadership Transition - looking for your next challenge?
Principal NowProfessionalCoaching.com.au
1 年Plan your career moves. With low unemployment the temptation to change jobs is increased. These moves are often lacking thought and research into the role. Dissatisfaction with the move comes in the first 6 months, thus you seek change again.This can often be a red flag on your resume in the future. Share your thoughts with a mentor and get their feedback. Stop, Seek advise, Spend time researching.
Tourism Specialist - Recruitment, Training, Mentoring, Strategy, Career Coaching, Interview Preparation, Resumes and LinkedIn Profile
1 年Thanks for asking my opinion Cayla Dengate. There are still many opportunities in the sector I specialise in, Tourism and Hospitality. It is hard to predict what lies ahead in 2023; however, my thoughts regarding growing a career during uncertain economic times... Reach out to your network, make new connections and renew those you haven't been in contact with for some time. If you are still deciding which path to take or what to do next, I highly recommend the book 'What Color is Your Parachute' by Richard N Bolles and Katharine Brooks. As others have said, have a plan, keep learning, stay focused and balance each day with exercise, family time and things that bring you joy! Don't forget to put your 'Open for Work' banner up on LinkedIn
MD of White Cloud Recruitment ?? Specialist in Change Management Recruitment
1 年Thank you Cayla Dengate for asking my opinion. I have worked in recruitment for 25 years so worked through the last "recession". Uncertain times are ahead and the best course of action when people are wanting to continue moving forward is for people to do their own study (lets face it organisations are not going to be having a big internal training budget when there is economic uncertainty), but this doesn't stop you doing own research. Also join in on industry facebook or Linked in pages. Often there are meetings where you can network with similar skilled people or even better free events where "specialists" are talking and you can learn more about your chosen craft. In terms of finding work when there may not be a lot around - use your existing network (I often tell my Change Managers - reach out to those Project Managers or Managers that you LOVED working with). Tell them you are available. Be direct. You risk nothing. Internal talent teams (or AI) are utilised in these "cost cutting times" so ensuring your CV is well crafted is also key. #LinkedInTopVoices #gethired #whitecloudrecruitment #changemanagement