Considering a new job in this economy?

You’ve been at your job for a while. You’re hitting a salary ceiling. There’s a lack of motivation. You’re bored. Your workplace environment is toxic. Whatever the reason, you're ready for something new. 

But then fear kicks in… 

Your friend just got laid off. Your cousin’s partner lost their job. Everyone’s wearing the #openforwork badge on LinkedIn. So you start to think…

F%ck… I better not. It’s secure here. It’s not THAT bad. They said they’d consider a promotion for me by the end of this year. They didn’t follow through last time, though. Maybe things will change. I’ll work harder and take on more projects to show my dedication. I’ll make myself indispensable.

Sound familiar?

First of all, we are ALL dispensable. Nothing is guaranteed, and companies nowadays can be RUTHLESS in cutting costs. You could be safe one day. And cut the next. Just saying!

My advice is always to create options for yourself, no matter how comfortable or safe you feel.

Here are some things to consider if you’re considering starting a job search during an economic downturn. 

There are upsides:

New growth opportunities could be waiting for you. During these times, industries are shifting, and business models are changing, so there will be reorgs at companies. While some are laying people off, others are actively hiring, especially folks with desirable skills, talents, or cultural relevancy to manage change. This could be THE perfect time to land a new role that could accelerate your career.

You might have stronger negotiating power. There may be a larger pool of applicants and fewer open roles, BUT those with desirable skills and experience can still be in demand. If you have those skills and can articulate the impact you can make, you could be in a stronger negotiating position for more pay, equity, time off, and other benefits.

You could work on your professional development. When looking for a new job, you often come across new challenges that help shape your personal and professional growth. Changing things up during an uncertain time could expose you to new experiences, expand your knowledge, and increase your skill set, which could be valuable for you long term.

There are downsides:

The job market could be unstable. We’ve all heard about rescinded offers or sudden changes in the hiring process. It can be frustrating, so remember that nothing is guaranteed until you have a signed offer. The goal is never to put your eggs into one basket or let your foot off the pedal. Have to stack those opportunities and keep the momentum!

There could be limited options and lots of competition. Finding the right thing may take longer, so you must manage expectations. Being focused, engaged, and plugged in is super important. So are crafting a strong personal narrative, networking (always!), getting in front of the right people, and staying committed to the process. And it’s not enough to be generic. You have to be strategic to stand out. 

So, what should you do? Think about…

How ready are you? If you’re itching for something new but find yourself stalling because it’s too time-consuming, you’re not hirable, or you don’t know where to start… then ask yourself if you’re creating resistance for yourself. If you’re feeling ready, then DO IT. But don’t be half-assed. You have to own it and do it right.

Can you commit to making time for it? People LOVE to say that job searching is a full-time job. Yes, it’s a lot of work. But it’s all about prioritization. Because TBH, those are the same people saying yes to every social event they get invited to, watching hours of Netflix after work, or finding other ways to resist or avoid the process. 

Will you adopt a winning mindset? If you’re starting your job search process from a place of fear, doubt, or desperation, recruiters and hiring managers will see you right through. You will carry that into every conversation. So it’s important to engage in the mindset work to set yourself up for success.

And if you, like my clients, COMMIT to this process, you will see results. It’s what you make of it.

Even in this economy, women I work with are getting multiple offers, entering negotiations with leverage, and starting exciting roles at companies with fresh and accelerated career trajectories. And they’re ditching old habits and actively taking charge of their growth. 

Call me optimistic. Or call them lucky. But I’ll argue it’s focus, commitment, and accountability.

If you’re ready to embark on this fun, challenging, and rewarding process of accelerating your career or want to get more clarity into what you want in your career — book a discovery call with me.