Staying resilient in a turbulent job market

Whoa, what a year?! Another revolution around the sun and here we are – some bruised and battered while others better with battle scars. 2018 was far from a walk in the park and the challenges it has brought forward only prove it. From companies closing doors to forced redundancies, bad news has been rife in all corners of the globe. Recurring questions that rattled our minds drift along the lines of ‘what’s next?’, ‘what more?’ and more importantly ‘how do we overcome this?’.

If you’re out in the market seeking a career move, then here are 5 quick mantras that you need to bear in mind in 2019:

Safety First

It’s better to be safe than sorry. That pay rise may have been binned or the position with your competitor may be tempting. Before you make any move, consider job security first. Hanging tight in your existing role may just be better than venturing into the waters when it’s all murky especially in the current economy. If you’re unemployed, ensure that you research about the companies you wish to target instead of randomly firing your CV away at every opportunity you come across.

Be wary of bubble investors and companies that may seem to be doing well only on the surface like that iceberg from Titanic. A great way to dig information is through websites like Glassdoor and by researching profiles on LinkedIn which will shed light on employee tenures and retention.

Positivity

Yes, we all get that the global economy has been on shaky ground but the real question no one dares to ask is – ‘What are you prepared to do about it?’. Staying positive is highly crucial and the ideal way forward. The strongest shall survive and it all begins with your mind staying hopeful for the best while working towards your career goals despite the odds. Securing the right opportunity is a mix of persistence and luck. Stay persistent and positive, luck shall follow.

You are not a tree

Being at the right place at the right time is key. You might think you have a shot at an opportunity but may instead be shooting blanks in a barrel since various lucrative markets are already flooded with talent. Cast a wider net in open waters and keep an eye out on other markets. The world is your oyster and there are hundreds of locations to explore. A time-out to explore new horizons may just be the break you need. Side effects may include better weather all year round, increased awareness of different cultures or ordering soup in a new language.

Keep your friends close, keep your recruiters closer

This one goes without saying. Ensure that you’re connected with the right recruiters within your industry as well as the ones you’d love to explore. Interact and stay updated on market trends and gather info on potential hiring sprees. Moreover, seek advice on ways you could land an interview or strengthen your candidature. Don’t forget to thank your recruiter because they have feelings too.

Pay it forward

LinkedIn isn’t just a great tool for sharing insights, discussing about terrible managers or social media warriors reminding us that it isn’t Facebook! If used correctly, it can be quite awesome to connect with like-minded professionals around the globe.

Make it a point to engage, like, comment and share posts relevant to your industry and you will be rewarded with strengthening your network. Provide advice and leads wherever applicable and you may just help someone else land their next gig. You’ll also be able to attract the right kind of connections who shall hopefully tell you that you aren’t alone.

You might want to skip the cat videos though.

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Adel Awad is an all-star recruiter with international expertise across various sectors. He enjoys matching talents with clients and thrives on new challenges by filling scores of exciting roles! He also moonlights as a poet, philanthropist, writer, career consultant and even offers free tips for fresh graduates and unemployed job-seekers.