Job search in a slowing economy or recession: Advice for job seekers
Slow economy or recession is widely regarded as an ill wind, which blow no one any good. “ It comes sweeping like a thundering wind with hazardous debris, no one saw it coming” said Allan Smith, an economic analyst with West Front Media.
Whenever there is a recession or economic slowdown, it cuts across all sector and in some cases it is global.
In recent time, many people have been forced into the labor market due to economic slow down.
“I was devastated when I went to work this morning and my boss said that I have been laid-off” said Theresa Brian a 38 year old mother of four who works in a privately owned retail store. “My boss told me that the economic slowdown has negatively impacted on the company’s day-to-day running of the business”.
While Theresa Brian is not the only victim of recession, chances are that one in every eight people you know may have been a victim of layoff as a result of down sizing in a slow economy.
This trend creates fear and tension among the affected.
Ironically, statistics shows that during slow economy people tend to work harder which in most cases resulted in higher productivity and successes,
It is a time that every job seeker has to work harder in order to stay competitive. There are always fewer jobs in slow economy and these few jobs are subjected to extreme competitions. That is, few jobs desperately needed by many. A situation that often leads to depression among job seekers who cannot survive the competition.
Nevertheless, this is also the time that dedicated job seekers become more creative. It is a time to adapt flexibility in job search.
There has been testimonies and cases where desperate job seekers stood on the road with a written placard with different inscriptions such as “I need A JOB” I can work for you for less etc. Others carry billboard with bold inscription. “ Qualified Class A CERTIFIED Auto technician, Hire me” Fortunately these tactics paid off in most cases and these individuals ended up getting the jobs they needed. Some even got more than what they bargained for by landing a plum jobs with a better pay compared to the one they had before.
Some other creative individual applied for volunteering positions.
In summary, jobseekers should view recession as a passing phase, which will come and eventually fade away.
They should also see it as:
- Time that calls for more creativity on their part.
- A time to discover and explore other ways of finding the hidden jobs
- A time for retraining and acquiring new skills
- Time to rediscover ones talent
- A time to work harder.
- A time for reflection to rediscover oneself.
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