How to reinvent your career in a recession?

During times of uncertainty, employees are given a true taste as to how their employer reacts to turbulent news and an ambiguous future.

That has been the case for many throughout the coronavirus pandemic, where employers have come under fire for making rash decisions when it comes to their staff and their jobs. This was true for the CEO of the Derby-based aerospace company, Rolls-Royce.

Earlier this year, Warren East was criticised for his ‘appalling’ behaviour as he appeared to smirk during a BBC interview where he was discussing potential job cuts at the business, due to the impact the global pandemic had had.

It’s due to these actions that many employees have wanted to jump ship and find a new place of work during this time, however, with mass job cuts continuing to flood news headlines, plus, following the news that the UK is officially in a recession, many are still hesitant to leave the comfort of their current position.

With this in mind, UK-based price comparison website Money.co.uk has shared key ways in which professionals can reinvent their career, particularly during a recession.

Online networking

When it was possible to attend conferences and workshops, it would be easy to chat to individuals you know or former work colleagues to get some scope on potential opportunities. Now that is no longer possible, it’s time to move online to get networking.

Reconnect with former co-workers or contacts you used to be close to but haven’t spoken to for some time to get the ball rolling. Your relationship with them will give you some constructive feedback to help you on your mission.

Consider a new project

Reinvention often means setting yourself a new task to completely ‘reinvent yourself’, which can be formed by taking on a new project on the side. According to research from Henley Business School, the rise in ‘side-hustles’ – a hobby or outside job that has the potential to bring a secondary income – holds a massive financial benefit which generates £72billion for the UK economy.  So, with these figures in mind it’s well worth a punt.

Alternatively, you may wish to upskill yourself by taking on a new course to help you on your journey. Take a look online to see what’s on offer and compare prices to see what’s the best option for you.

Think flexibly

It’s very easy to get stuck in a routine when you have been at your job for some time. However, when it comes to reinvention it’s crucial to think flexibly and be open to change and possibilities. In times of a recession, where change is constant, this attribute is crucial to reinventing your career for the future.

Talk it out

Uncertain times can spark a range of emotions, such as stress and anxiety. When this occurs, it’s important to lean on others and talk through your emotions and concerns. While this may be difficult in the current climate due to social distancing, consider hosting a Zoom call with industry friends to discuss your thoughts, plus this may also help others to share their own worries which may lead to an even more thought-provoking discussion.

Find the gaps

Once you have followed these steps, it’s time to think about what you’d like to do next in your career journey. To do this, Money.co.uk suggested a personal inventory to figure out what you need to do to get there. But it’s important to not let this process overwhelm you, and to instead use it as a means to find the gaps in your knowledge.

A good way to do this it to think about the interview itself and what questions you’d hate to be asked. It’s likely that these are areas you may lack confidence in and will indicate that you need to focus on these in particular.

By : Jade Burke

For more insights on HR & Business solutions follow us

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