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In slow job market bargain wisely, lower expectations
A new worldwide study by Accenture reveals that recent graduates are worried that the weakening global economy may have a visible negative impact on their job search. The study posted in www.msn.com is based on a global survey of over 2400 graduating students in eight countries.
The study notes that 87 per cent of final year university students from India have already started looking for jobs, but only half have had any success in finding one.
With major global markets gradually sinking into recession, Indian jobseekers cannot afford to be lax about their job search strategy. Unfortunately, the tactics that helped you negotiate a great job in boom time will certainly not work in an economic downturn.
It pays to be aware of the job search tactics one must employ to weather a recession. Here is some practical advices:
Get specific about your target
The big guns may be slow in hiring during recession and the smaller companies probably cannot afford the price of advertisement and publicity even if they need manpower.
So sending out unsolicited resumes to any number of employers is unlikely to work. Your best bet to get a foot in the door in times of recession is through networks. Does a friend of a friend of a friend work in a company in which you are trying to get a job?
Pull a few strings to see if you can get a meeting arranged with the HR director. Scour the Internet, and be on the lookout for help wanted ads.
Remember, you have to hard-sell yourself and aggressively market the bottom-line benefits you can bring to the recruiting company, simply because the priority of most organisations during a slump is to keep the costs down while maximising already thin profit margins.
Get the basics right
When the demand is high, you can get away with indifferent efforts and small faux pas, but you will be put under a microscope and examined before you are recruited during a slump, simply because money is dearer during an economic slump.
Employers are not likely to get impressed easily, so get the resume and interview basics right and work harder to create a good impression.
Lower your expectations
A weak economy cannot feed high expectations. Prospective employers may have second thoughts about hiring even a good candidate, if they feel it comes at a price. Be willing to adjust your job search criteria.
Forget for now, the niche corner you dreamt of creating for yourself and cast the search net wider.Brush up your transferable skills and broaden your search by industry or skill sets.
Set sail
Not all countries will be in recession, so get your passport ready and be on the lookout for opportunities in other countries that may be experiencing boom-time. You may have to take a few risks or take up jobs on contract basis.
Some overseas recruiters may try to take advantage of the situation by offering a pittance, but don’t throw away any offer.
Even if you don’t actually earn as much as you could have, the overseas experience will still do a world of good when you come back home and start searching for a new job.
Think twice before you say ‘no’ Getting a job in a weak economy is not easy, and a job in hand, any job, is a definite advantage.
Even part time jobs are a good thing. You are a step ahead of all those desperate job seekers who still are scouting around for work and you are definitely less at the mercy of other recruiters who may want to exploit your ‘unemployed’ status to the hilt. If you have a job, you are in the driving seat, no matter what, and are in a better position to negotiate the next offer.
Negotiate wisely
If you find yourself in a position where you can bargain a better deal for yourself, be careful about what you ask for.
The recruiting company may not be in a position to offer you a bigger salary, but may be willing to offer flexitime or challenging work. Be willing to make quite a few concessions if you think the job is just right for you.
Tables will tilt when the economy swings upward, and the experience you have gained will definitely make you more marketable in boom time when you can re-negotiate a better deal with your employer or look for opportunities elsewhere.
BINDU SRIDHAR
faqs@cnkonline.com
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