She Said: “The Job Market Is Not What It Used to Be.” Now I Am Experiencing It Firsthand.
If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.
On the 1st of January, a friend visited hubby and me. She kept emphasizing how the employment landscape was changing rapidly and we all needed to change. Her suggestions were many and I am acting on a few of them now.
After quitting my job in December and writing my board exams in January, I knew my next focus was job hunting. I had some ideas; write certification courses, attend job fairs, visit employment counselors, and return to school. In the past, one of these activities would land you a job.
The current reality.
Previously, you could walk out of a job fair with a job offer. Now, the story has changed. First, the caliber of companies that show up to hire are those recruiting for mostly minimum wage roles. Others are schools and employment agencies.
Second, the number of prospective candidates that show up makes a great concert attendance look like a joke. Many people are looking for jobs. After attending these fairs, some decide to hold on tightly to what they previously had.
If you are in the middle of your career, you would feel like a misfit at those fairs. You probably would do better with a headhunter. The other option you would consider is going back to school. That option is on my table.
As for the employment agencies, they take your information and you may or may not hear from them again. I spoke with one who gave me a few pointers.
Third, in the IT space, specifically those training and placing business analysts, many would previously offer you job placements after your training. Now, the few I spoke with tell you they no longer offer job placements.
After all that investment, you are back to hunting like everyone else. The difference: you have new sets of skills and education. They just work them into your resume.
Fourth, many people I know are losing their jobs, especially in the tech space. When they search for new ones, they can’t find what they want, or when they do, the company offers them a rate that’s below par.
What am I deciding to do?
My brain is in some sort of overdrive. I have now opened myself to more possibilities. Job hunting was work before. It is even more work now. I am doing a certification course with Google. I am also starting free classes to prepare for the rest of my boards.
My daily activity kicks off at 10 am. Job applications take me about 2 to 4 hours. I do my certification course for another hour or 2. By that point, my brain is tired from all that mental activity, so I break.
The free tutorials run for 2 hours between 11 am and 1 pm. My schedule would likely change to accommodate that. Most likely, I would spread more throughout the day.
One other important element is prayer. This gives me insight, strength, and direction.
Final thoughts
Times have changed again, and if I am determined to survive, I am moving with the times. I am keeping my eyes and ears open for opportunities and also doing everything within my power to be ready when they show up. When next we touch base, my portfolio won’t be the same. It’s nobody’s fault. Times have changed.
If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.- Milton Berle.
Thanks to Jason Edmunds.