During the last few years we have experienced the biggest recession since the depression. We have record numbers of unemployed in the US, UK and Ireland.
Redundancies or job lay offs have slowed down however people that have lost their jobs are in trouble, as competition for jobs is at its highest. Employers want to hire the very best talent available on the marketplace. They not only want to achieve all of their set criteria, they want to bring on a “value add” hire.

Hiring Managers are under increasing pressure today to get it right, to bring individuals on board that can hit the ground running and instantly add value. In recessionary times, it is even more critical to get hiring decisions right. People are a company’s greatest asset, and in turn can transform company’s results.

Employees today are under increasing pressure to perform at their optimum. Many companies are operating with fewer staff because of redundancies/layoffs therefore in turn placing greater workload on those that remain. Employers are continuously reviewing employee performance against objectives set to ensure they are obtaining the very best from the individual for their business. Shareholder value is paramount in these challenging economic times!

As a career coach I have worked with thousands of people over the past 2 years in the midst of this recession. Many highly educated, skilled people who are unemployed. I know many of you are frustrated and feel like you’ve been through hell and back. You’ve had interviews and gone through the interview process many times, sometimes having 4 – 5 sometimes 6 interviews and then to be told the job has gone on hold, filled internally or the company does not have the ‘budget’ to recruit or have just not heard anything back. It is frustrating however unless you tick absolutely every box and the employer does not perceive a risk by hiring you, it won’t happen!

Job Hunting - The future of recruitment as I see it:

a) Jobs found will almost exclusively be found on the internet or through a recruitment/search agency.
b) Networking – is essential, recruitment is becoming much more referral based. Recruitment via groups, alumni and communities of interest.
c) Organisations competing for the very best talent available – will be focusing on Employment Branding
d) Job Seekers will focus on Employee Branding, building individual brands, showcase through their personal websites, video CVS, self publishing.
e) Web Syndication of information – multiple channels
f) Rich Media – video, audio, via high speed broadband/wifi and mobile devices.
g) Use of Search – to find jobs, to screen job seekers, to check organisations.
h) Reverse candidate driven recruitment – advertising people rather than advertising jobs
i) Interactive and proactive sources – active and passive seekers, meets short and long term needs, saves time and money.

Job Hunting - Here are some Top Tips to Find a Job at this difficult time:

1) Make Job Hunting your FULL time job!
2) Utilise the internet – job boards, business networking sites such as Linked In, Academy …
3) Network – who do you have in your network? Reach out to every single person that you have in your network and let them know you are looking for employment.
4) Review companies in growth mode or start up businesses.
5) Identify some key recruitment partners to work with – considering geography, area of specilialty, expertise and access to high value clients.
6) Your CV/Application – this is your chance to stand out, to be unique. To create an impression. Your CV/Application is the first step in the process of getting hired.
7) Be consistent and persistent and believe your ideal job is out there.

You can achieve anything that you set your mind to.

This is a quote I really resonate with and like to share it with as many people as I can.

“People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people that get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can’t find them, make them” –
George Bernard Shaw

Author's Bio: 

Helen Roberts is a gifted leader, a popular trainer at live events, a coach and a mentor. Her fast-paced, authentic style, her incredible energy and passion will not only inspire you, you will be empowered knowing you can overcome your personal obstacles to be the best that you can be and live an incredible life!

Helen has a track record of success as a Career Development expert, Executive Search consultant, Career Coach, Mentor, Entrepreneur and Career Transition specialist with over 15 years experience. She is a top 7 figure income earner and is one of the most respected leaders in her industry. She has assisted companies and individuals worldwide and has worked out of the UK, Ireland, France, Australia, US and Singapore.

Her philosophy is simple – she always encourages her clients to Find and Do something that they love. She encourages people to strive to be the best that they can be and achieve far greater success doing something that they love as opposed to working, doing something they hate, for a pay check.