You’ll have been hard pushed to have avoided the news of mass layoffs, hiring freezes and disruptions within some of the world’s largest and most well-known technology businesses recently.
And while many people have been affected by redundancies in recent weeks, there’s often a silver lining to the negativity that we have seen across mainstream media and social media channels.
Periods of uncertainty, including throughout 2020, are typically followed by waves of growth. And it’s during these times where innovative and agile businesses thrive and become hungry for the top talent that’s entering the market.
Reports shows the UK tech sector is still attracting significant investment and according to Public First’s report, digital technology could grow the economy by over £413 billion by 2030.
So, if you’ve been affected by redundancies recently, here are our tips on how to best set yourself up for job search success:
It’s no surprise that being made redundant can take its toll on your self-confidence and motivation, but it’s important to remember that the decision was not your fault.
Of course, it’s tough to see the bright side post-redundancy, but where possible, try to reduce stress, remain positive and approach your job search with the right mindset.
Doing so will help you remain focused and ensure you’re set up for success.
Depending on how long you were in your last role, your CV or portfolio may need an update and a revamp to get you noticed. Make this the first thing you do so you can focus your efforts in the right way from day one.
Invest some time in making your CV as strong as you possibly can and our advice is to refer to your redundancy. Remember, it’s nothing to be ashamed of, so it’s worth adding a sentence or two explaining what happened.
Hiring managers and talent teams will be aware of what’s going on in the market, so clarifying that you didn’t just up and leave your last role and addressing the elephant in the room is a good idea.
Anyone who’s been through a period of unemployment will know this advice and there are few important points to remember.
Consistency and routine are key, so make sure you commit to a set number of hours per day each week for your job search. Don’t over commit or put too much pressure on yourself to find the perfect opportunity right away, and once you feel your concentration waning, take a break and reset.
Equally, stay focused and organised and note down the roles you’ve applied for so when the phone rings, you’re prepared, and you recognise the opportunity in front of you.
If you’ve built up a strong network over the years, now’s the time to utilise it.
Reach out to former colleagues, friends and connections to ask for their support in your search and to see if they’re aware of anything that fits your skillset.
Speaking to recruiters is a great way of making the most of their extended network and industry knowledge. They will know who’s hiring and what their clients are looking for, so make sure you get your CV over to them so they can start pushing out your profile to the market.
As well as tapping into your own network, be proactive in reaching out to companies who you know are hiring or competitors to where you’ve worked before. Do you research on who’s in their recruitment team and connect with them where you can.
Likewise, search online via news and media publications for companies experiencing growth and make use of the tools at your disposal on LinkedIn. For example, by searching relevant industry hashtags or using the insights option on their company page to check their recent growth.
Sending your CV off for a job and hearing nothing can be disheartening, but you don’t need to wait around for a response as so many do.
If you don’t hear back after an application, follow up with a call or email to the hiring manager or talent team. Knowing the best way to do this can be challenging but done in a professional way that isn’t rude or pushy, it can be an effective way of showing you’re keen on the role and getting noticed by the hiring manager.
And finally, feel free to drop us an email or a call to chat about your situation and where the Digital Gravity team can help you:
0203 800 1340
