Don’t let the double-dip recession affect your job search!

With today’s announcement that we have fallen back into recession, it’s not a great day for the government and the press will have a field day focusing on the “double-dip”.  Opinions will be be divided and, as a jobseeker, you may feel like life just got a whole lot tougher.

But remember, today’s announcement does not mean that there are suddenly far fewer job opportunities!

 

In fact, the BBC quoted David Kern, chief economist at the British Chambers of Commerce, as saying:

These figures are at odds with the experiences of many UK businesses, which continue to operate with guarded optimism.

So what can you do to feel in control of your job search and beat the double-dip blues?

 

Here are 5 tips to recession-proof your job search:

1. Give your CV a recession busting overhaul:

• ask a trusted friend for their opinion, though you may not want to hear what they say!
• print it off and hold it at arm’s length – does your CV look like it would make an impact or is it a mess?
• Do you feel it would make a great first impression? Is it scan-able, legible, concise & without typos?

2. Look a million dollars online:

• Use a search engine to look up your name – anything come up that you don’t want others to hear about?
• Look at your profile pictures, these are public, what do they say about you?
• Update your LinkedIn profile with your latest achievements & add a skills box.

3. Show your value by joining a conversation:

• Think about your skills, are they suited to particular companies, try following them on LinkedIn, Twitter & Facebook and join in.
• Look for online forums related to your industry and get involved.
• Look for groups on LinkedIn, join some and start or answer a conversation or create a poll.

4. Get networking to hear about opportunities:

• Find your industry’s networking events and use the tips in this great article in Forbes to make new “in person” connections.
• Scan the delegates list, get a feel for them online and open a conversation with “what are you hoping to get out of…”
• Don’t open with “give us a job” make sure you allow them to get to know you and trust you first.

5. Get out more and feel positive:

• If you are struggling to find a role you may feel isolated so take advantage of the longer days and get outside, even just for a walk.
• What about volunteering? You will learn some new skills that employers will be interested to hear about.
• Get some training. Not all training is expensive look out for online courses or free webinars if funds are tight.

 

As you can see on our site, many employers still have job opportunities, even in these tough times! However, because companies may, for fear of being inundated with applications, avoid advertising or may not have the budget to pay for recruiters, it makes sense to take charge of your job search by using our tips and being creative!

 

We’d love to hear how you get on in our comments section below!

Do you feel some of the tips work better than others? What’s the most creative way you’ve looked for work?

 

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Today’s post is written by Katrina Collier of Winning Impression. As guest blogger she’ll post tips on social media, recruitment and job search which she has learned in her many years in the industry.

Her passion is combining her social media and recruitment expertise. She trains companies to hire the best talent and jobseekers to get a job opportunity by using social media networks.

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