How to build the career you want in uncertain times, according to experts

We spoke with career experts about how professionals can build fulfilling careers in the midst of economic uncertainty.

As advanced nations across the world stare at a perfect storm of recession warnings, currency fluctuations and record-high inflation, India stands on firmer footing. The World Bank has predicted India to grow the fastest among emerging economies, buoyed by strong government policies, better investment prospects, and healthy corporate balance sheets.

The country, however, cannot remain completely insulated from external turbulence. A stuttering global economy has a direct impact on India’s job market, with different sectors taking a heavier hit. For instance, jobs in the IT industry decreased by nearly 40% in December 2022 year-on-year. 

Find out where the fastest-growing opportunities are emerging with LinkedIn’s 2023 Jobs on the Rise lists.

In such a scenario, jobseekers and career builders alike will need to reconcile their professional goals with external drivers. 

It’s not only jobseekers assessing the landscape. The pressure is on leaders too as a booming gig economy, continued push for more flexibility, and no end in sight for the great return-to-office debate is forcing employers to look deeper and deliver greater transparency. 

Even if you’re uncertain about making a move in this economy, focusing on how to brand yourself and build your network can set you up for a successful search later in your career. 

From tips for job searching in volatile times to standing out to recruiters during job interviews, we spoke with several experts to get their take on driving the career you want. Whether you’re considering a new role, actively trying to find your next play or are new to the workforce, these emerging Top Voices are showing what it takes to find success.

What’s your best advice for jobseekers? Check out these Top Voices’ insights and share your thoughts in the comments below and/or in a post using #GetHiredIndia.

“In an increasingly competitive and volatile world, it is very critical for jobseekers and workers to recession-proof themselves,” says Vikas Dua, an author and seasoned HR professional who has worked across sectors like hospitality, education, and IT and IT-enabled services.

Dua advises potential jobseekers to focus on upskilling and being well-versed in one’s area of work or expertise. He also suggests developing a personal brand that expands one’s visibility beyond the work circle.

Sharing in a post why tapping into the power of referrals is important as you progress in your career, Dua says that as a candidate, it is important to build strong relationships wherever you work and stay in touch with your ex-colleagues, and perform well in your role and build credibility through a strong track record. 

Dua also shares insights on how professionals can effectively navigate a job switch,  what are some important questions candidates can ask the company during an interview, and how to track your performance at work to prepare for a performance appraisal.

👉 See more of Vikas Dua's content

No matter the industry, as a jobseeker looking to land the role of your choice, it is important for you to stand out while reaching out to recruiters. 

How can one do that? According to Sridevi Ravichandran, it’s important to provide a compelling reason for why you are fit for the job. “Highlight your relevant skills, accomplishments, experience, and passion for the role and company,” says Ravichandran,  who is a Career Coach and Resume Writer at Shrishi Career Academy.

She leverages her expertise as a former HR professional to spark conversations on topics such as salary negotiations, the importance of cover letters, and following the right email etiquette. 

Another important aspect of successfully navigating the job search process is customisation, and Ravichandran recommends getting strategic and identifying target roles and industries that match your skills and expertise. 

When crafting your resume, “Use specific examples of your skills and experiences to illustrate your abilities,” Ravichandran writes in a post. She also emphasises the importance of keywords in a resume to stand out in Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) — making it easier for recruiters and hiring managers to find you. Not sure which keywords to use? Job applicants should analyse job descriptions, use online keyword research tools, and research industry-specific terms and jargon, she adds.

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The first few seconds of an interview are critical to make a good impression. Soft skills trainer and coach at Soft Skills Studio, Suman Kher, says that a genuine smile, a firm handshake, and confident small talk while maintaining eye contact can help a candidate get off to a great start. Kher, who has also been an entrepreneur and a corporate trainer for executives and managers, offers tips on workplace topics like how to make a strong pitch and communicate effectively at work. 

Passion and communication can help jobseekers exhibit their soft skills, says Kher, adding that voice, body language and articulation should be aligned to that.  “No matter what the question is, being able to articulate your thoughts with enthusiasm for the subject makes for a winning combination,” she adds.

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Candidates can also highlight soft skills using the STAR technique, says Miti Shah, student mentor and Social Media Specialist. This technique is also useful to highlight accomplishments in an interview, and involves explaining the situation, your involvement in the task, skills you leveraged to solve the problem, and the results achieved.

Shah aims to educate young professionals in their career journeys and shares her insights on topics like what to focus on in college, how to build confidence, and underrated job search techniques.

One of her tips to ace an interview is to research the company and the job profile. Jobseekers can do that by visiting the company’s website and understanding their mission and vision, looking for recent media mentions of the company, connecting with employees working there, and researching the interviewer. 

Despite making a great first impression and communicating your accomplishments, an unexpected question in an interview can dent one’s confidence.

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When faced with such a situation, the right way to approach the scenario is to first acknowledge that you haven’t given it a thought yet, says Ankur Garg, Project Leader at Boston Consulting Group. Once acknowledged, you must “try to either draw an analogy or offer your approach to solve the question from a first-principles standpoint,” he adds. 

Sharing learnings from his career journey in leadership roles across management consulting and business, Garg shares productivity hacks and tips on speaking confidently, and drives conversations around topics like tactics to chart your career growth. 

In an ever changing hiring climate, it is important to approach the job hunt process strategically in order to future proof your career. 

👉 See more of Ankur Garg's content

Reported and proofread by: Preethi Ramamoorthy, Isha Chitnis, Divya Pathak

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About this article

This article features experts from LinkedIn's Top Voices program covering job search during uncertain times and standing out to recruiters . Top Voices is an invitation-only program featuring a global group of experts on LinkedIn covering a range of topics across the professional world, helping members uncover valuable knowledge relevant to them. You can learn more here and check out other Top Voices articles in India including Tech and Innovation, Greener Together, Social Impact. 

Who is eligible to be a Top Voice

LinkedIn members who meet high trust standards, are consistently active on the platform and share valuable expertise are eligible to be a Top Voice, with the exception of LinkedIn and Microsoft employees, members who have violated LinkedIn’s User Agreement — including our Professional Community Policies — or individuals currently running in a political election for an executive, legislative or judicial position.

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