How To Successfully Find a New Job During Uncertain Economic Times

Monday, October 24, 2022

It’s a complicated time to be a job seeker. With rising costs due to inflation, many are seeking new, better-paying jobs. But at the same time, a looming recession is leading to fears that a new position could be cut shortly after you’re hired.

To help you navigate the job search during these uncertain economic times, GOBankingRates spoke with Toni Frana, career services manager at FlexJobs and Remote.co.

80% of Working Professionals Say Inflation Is Impacting Their Career Decisions

A recent FlexJobs survey of over 4,000 professionals found that for the majority, inflation is affecting how they think about their careers.

“Inflation is certainly top of mind for the majority of today’s professionals and is currently impacting their career decisions, including whether to look for a new job with a higher salary or when trying to negotiate a higher salary with their current employer,” Frana said.

“What’s more, one-third of survey respondents cited inflation as being a ‘huge factor’ in their career decisions, while 46% said it is either a factor or a small factor,” she continued. “But while inflation pressures and recession fears can be concerning, we encourage clients and job seekers to remember that hiring still takes place even in times of economic uncertainty.”

73% of Professionals Are Concerned About a Recession Impacting Their Career Decisions

While many employees are seeking higher salaries amid inflation, this desire to earn more is coupled with recession-related career fears. But even during a recession, there are ways to still land a new job that will meet your needs.

“The key to landing a job during a recession is to focus on what you can control as a job seeker, remain open to new opportunities and put yourself out there in as good of a light as possible,” Frana said. “In your job search, there are key ways to find employment during a recession that may just require you to restructure your search and find alternative avenues to market yourself to different industries.”

Specifically, Frana recommends following three steps.

1. Expand Your Options

“Staying open to industries and positions you normally wouldn’t navigate towards may be the key to finding a job during a recession,” she said. “Consider freelance, part-time, temporary and short-term assignments.”

2. Practice Patience

“Competition increases when there are fewer opportunities,” Frana said. “As a result, the hiring process may take a longer time than usual, and searching for a job during a recession means you’ll need to be as good a job seeker as possible to stand out.”