Using The Great Reshuffle to get ahead where you already are

The Great Reshuffle created an environment where it’s good to be a job seeker, but it also presents career builders a chance to grow within their current companies. Experts say people should figure out what they want from their employers, make a business case for their requests and then start negotiations with their managers.

The labor market slipped into uncharted territory as the economy recovered from the pandemic and an unprecedented amount of people decided to make moves in their careers. Employers lost the upper hand they enjoyed during the pandemic and are now competing to hire top talent.

The Great Reshuffle, as these labor market moves are known, is also forcing these same employers to fight to retain their existing employees. As a result, experts say you may be able to use this new reality to your advantage in your own career.

“The Great Reshuffle is a perfect foundation to seize opportunities internally more strategically and intentionally than ever before,” wrote Tiffany Uman , who is a career strategy coach. “And because you’ve already established a track record in your company and forged key relationships, now it’s time to kick things into high gear and advocate for what you want.”

While we can’t prove that The Great Reshuffle is leading more employers to offer workers promotions, LinkedIn data suggest that may be the case.

Total promotions at employers on this year’s LinkedIn’s Top Companies list fell 8% between 2019 and 2020. Rates have since rebounded, with total promotions increasing 49% between 2020 and 2021.?

As LinkedIn News launches its annual list of Top Companies, we’re looking at how you can position yourself for growth in your current role with the help of The Great Reshuffle.

Should you stay at your current employer?

The first step you need to take on this journey is to determine whether you want to stay at your current employer. People list many reasons — like pay and fulfillment — for making moves during The Great Reshuffle, but the central issue is that they think they can be happier somewhere else. If you fall within this bucket, you may want to cast a wider net for new opportunities than just your current employer.

“If you take [a] promotion but the environment stays the same, I would be hesitant to stay within the same company,” wrote Sweta Regmi , who is a career consultant.

Of course, there is nothing stopping you from seeking out new opportunities where you are while also looking for a job at a different employer. The benefit of The Great Reshuffle is that it’s a good time to be a career builder and a job seeker.

Seeking opportunities at other employers is always valuable, but it's especially the case if you feel that you won’t have leverage in a conversation with your manager. You may have had performance issues in the past or the economic reality for your employer differs from that of the larger economy.

Figure out what you want from your employer

Once you decide that you’d be OK staying at your current employer, it’s time to set your sights on what you actually want. Understanding your goals is critical, according to Samara Elkins , who is a resume writer and career coach?

“There is [a] great opportunity to go to bat for yourself and get results at your current company or elsewhere,” she added.

Is there a promotion you’ve been eyeing? Would life be a bit easier if you got a modest raise? What about flexible work arrangements? Zero in on what you want. Just be realistic with your expectations.

“The Great Reshuffle is an outstanding opportunity to think about: Where can I go in this company and what do I need to get there,” wrote Bernadette Pawlik , who is a recruiting insider and career strategist. “Perhaps it is tuition reimbursement for another degree, or for a certification. Perhaps an opportunity to shadow someone in another department in which you have an interest. So I would look beyond just more money (while money is important) [for] more growth.

Start the conversation with your manager

Knowing what you want from your current employer will help a lot when you sit down with your manager. Without a list of wants, you risk being directionless during the conversation and coming out of the meeting with little — if anything — to show for it.

The other thing you’ll want to walk into the conversation with is a business case for your requests.?

“It's one thing to say you're ready - it's another thing altogether to prove it,” wrote Maureen McCann , who is a career and job search strategist. “If you haven't started to track your metrics/results in your current role, this weekend is a good time to sit down and assess all the contributions you've made to your organizations. Bonus points if you went above and beyond your role's duties/responsibilities to help the organization achieve its mission, vision, and mandate.”

Not only will that business case help you in your meeting, but it will also help your manager explain your value to the organization when discussing the matter with their superiors.

“When I was in HR, I would find that business leaders would make mountains move for employees they wanted to retain,” wrote Shruti S. Parekh , who is an executive career coach. “I've seen miracles happen. While companies are experiencing talent shortages, THIS is the time for employees to make (reasonable) asks.”

Consider your next steps

The hope is that you’ll get most — if not all — of your wants addressed by your employer.

“If you've invested your time and energy into a company, using that clout to transition your career should definitely be something to give a try,” wrote Bogdan Zlatkov , who is a job search strategist. “You'll be surprised at how simple the process can be and how much it can pay off.”

Of course, the reality may be that you’ll only get a few of the items you want. In some cases, you may not get any of your requests.?

Regardless of the outcome, it’s important to consider the next steps in your career. Should you just continue to network while being happy in your current role? Should you actively start looking for a new job? Should you continue negotiating with your manager??

Your answer will depend on the outcome of your initial conversation, your own wants and needs, and what you want out of your career in the near future.

What’s your advice for people looking to harness the power of The Great Reshuffle to grow within their current organization? Tell us in the comments below!