We all know recession spells job loss, and many experts have predicted we’re headed for a recession. The tech industry broadly has seen a string of layoffs in 2022 in the face of uncertain economic conditions. For example, major tech companies like Twitter, Meta, Microsoft, Tesla, Lyft have either announced layoffs or begun the process of cutting jobs.
It can be alarming to consider what a recession means for salaried people, especially because an unexpected job loss is one of the most traumatic experiences someone can go through. Plus, when the job market is limited, a layoff can be even more devastating.
If you’re worried about your own job security or that of a loved one, one of the very first step should be to recession-proof to stand out with your CV so that you’re ready to apply for positions in this challenging economic environment. The jobs market is becoming even more competitive.
Know your value
Take a look at yourself. What value do you bring to your company? What is your unique skill set? It can be helpful to write a paragraph or two about what would happen to your company or team if you left to help visualize the impact of your work. It is important to recognize that even if you lose your job for whatever reason, your career is not over. Recognizing your value and knowing your abilities is a great way to get back on your feet and advocate for yourself.
Focus on your achievements
A well-crafted CV is so much more than a simple list of responsibilities and duties. When applying, you should be sure to include what you’ve achieved in each of your past positions. This will showcase the great work you’ve done and prove how effective of a team member you are. It makes it easy for employers to understand how you’ve added value in your previous jobs and predict your impact on their company. Quantify your success in cold, hard numbers. Example: you saved £30K on production costs or achieved £10k profit increase per month. You should also mention the size of your project if you have managed any.
Updating your resume with your latest achievements, experiences, and skills. Focusing on your assets is the first step to creating a positive mindset, which is key to surviving an economic downturn.
Showcase your hard skills
Employers must look for candidates who can work quickly. Show that you have the hard skills essential to make an effect from day one. During downtime time and money spent training a new hire could be invested more profitably elsewhere in the company.
Make sure your CV includes all of the job description’s specifications as well as any relevant industry- or role-specific keywords. You can cross off some of the most crucial items if you can demonstrate that you have the necessary professional knowledge and expertise.
Grow your networks
One of the most important steps to take in your career? Build connections. These are the people who will help you progress, find jobs and grow. There’s a reason why it’s important to stay in touch with people you know. Including those with who you might not share a day-to-day connection. Reaching out to them will help strengthen your personal network and the connections you have with others.
Open a conversation by just checking in, sharing an interesting article you’ve read lately or even outright asking for advice. Remember: strengthening your network can be beneficial for both you and them, and most people are happy to connect and provide any assistance they can.
Attend events within your industry and make an effort to meet the other attendees. Take advantage of new contacts by looking at your possible LinkedIn connections within your own profile. You never know who you’ll meet, and that person could help you in the future.
Stand out, don’t generalise
Focus on what you do well, what sets you apart from others, and what your unique selling proposition is. Instead of attempting to include everything in one document, customize your CV to meet each potential position you apply for if you have many different jobs kinds in mind. If not, you’ll appear to be a jack of all trades and master of none, making it difficult for recruiters to identify your area of specialty and giving off the impression that you lack focus.
Keep things objective
HR managers will certainly have a large number of CVs to sort through. Instead of giving them pages of drawn-out, rambling paragraphs, utilize bullet points and try to keep each one to a maximum of two lines. This will make it easier for an HR manager to scan and compel you to write concisely and concentrate on the important things you need to make. Two pages is typically the ideal length for a CV.
Align your CV with the job opening
Use the same terms that you see in the job advert and on the company website. But don’t copy and paste whole chunks of text, instead make sure you include skills, and achievements that are aligned with the job post. The same goes for the company ethos or values – try to include examples of when you’ve exhibited those behaviours and echo the language as far as is appropriate. When competition is high, you can give yourself an advantage by showing how you will fit into the company and align with its precise requirements.
Submit CV to recruitment agency
Many employers don’t have the time and resources to invest in hiring new employees because the hiring process is too complex and time-consuming. So employers work with recruitment agencies to find candidates. Recruitment agencies have access to jobs that aren’t always advertised.
TSSI is one of the UK’s oldest recruitment companies specialising in Telecommunications, Information Technology and Computer Science. Submit your CV and create your profile at careers.tssirecruit.com.
Importantly, stay positive
As the economy faces a downturn, following these steps will help you to prepare a strong CV that assures your next career move and positions you head-and-shoulders above other candidates. Good luck in your job search!