Since 2008, the global economy has been a continual talking point, making headlines for all the wrong reasons. Credit crunch, sub-prime mortgages, double-dip recession these are all terms regularly bandied about and which now seem part of our public consciousness.
Casualties of the Recession
There have been some fairly spectacular casualties of the recession, with a number of high-profile companies folding, high-street stores being forced to close and big names in industry making many people redundant.
Employment Market
Austerity is another watch word of the last few years, with cost-cutting measures introduced by the coalition government in a bid to curb the country's borrowing and pay back some of the mammoth debt. All of which has had a massive effect on employment figures, with job losses occurring in just about every area of the employment market.
UK Dipping in and out of Recession
With the UK dipping in and out of recession, it can feel difficult to believe that there is any positivity to take from our financial status at the moment one upbeat headline is almost invariably countered with another, more negative one. The London 2012 Olympics and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012 helped to lift the UK out of recession, but with talk of a triple dip this is short-lived good news.
So far, so depressing. But if you are in the employment market whether trying to get a foot on the ladder or looking for work following redundancy then there is some hope.
Employers Still Need High-Quality Candidates for Their Roles.
Experience is still valued and qualifications do count for something. It is important to try to see beyond the headlines, looking positively at what is actually out there and not becoming bogged down in a sea of negativity. There is no escaping the fact that the country is suffering an economic crisis and has been doing so for a number of years. But the key factor coming across from employers in all sectors is that if people can prove themselves then they are in with a good chance.
Make Yourself Stand Out from the Competition in the Employment Market
Competition for every role is much fiercer these days than in the past. More and more people are applying for the same job, short-lists are becoming longer and interview processes are becoming more involved. The best advice is to work on making yourself stand out from the competition, demonstrating to potential employers just what skills you have to offer and emphasising how and why you will do things differently and better than the other people they are considering. Show them how you can and will improve their business and prove that you have the capacity to make it happen.
It can often be tempting to hold back a little and it is not often easy to blow your own trumpet. But this isn't a case of boasting or showing off. It is all about being effortlessly confident, focusing on the skills and competencies you do have and using these to strengthen your recruitment case.
Moving on from the recession.... the Employment Market
Written by Chima Kanu of Circle Square Talent
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OUTPLACEMENT SUPPORT
If you have been made redundant and are looking for outplacement support, Circle Square now provides an outplacement
service through Always Forward Outplacement Support - Part of the Circle Square Talent Ltd Group.
We are hired by companies who wish to provide an outplacement service to soften the blow of redundancy and also by executives
who would like our help moving on. Always Forward also offers an online Careers Service and Redundancy advice to support you through this transitional time.
