The workforce in the UK faced incredible challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Office of National Statistics reports that the number of payroll employees fell by over 800,000 in 2021, with young people suffering in particular at 60% of these numbers since February 2020.
Experts are already making comparisons with the 2009 financial crisis, which heralded one of the UK’s lowest employment rates. Fortunately, fast action works, and you can avoid falling into the trap of unemployment by planning your career path as early as possible. Here are a few tips below.
Take a timeout
Taking time off may sound contradictory. However, it allows you to reassess where you stand without rushing into any hasty decisions.
The University of Edinburgh stresses the importance of reflecting for self-awareness as you plan out your career path. This can be as easy as checking in with yourself constantly by asking questions such as, “Why do I want this career?” or “How do I want these things to happen?” You can also use this time to do research. Explore what jobs are needed in your community, and whether you’ll be a good match for them.
Maximise your skills
After researching, you may find that career shifts don’t have to mean that you start over from zero. LHH recommends identifying your transferable skills in advance because this allows you to target new fields where you can still apply the previous experiences you’ve accumulated.
One example they give is the field of law, where most firms have a range of recruiting departments. One’s strength in a specific area of law like business, corporate, or even civil rights law, can be implemented in another field such as commercial litigation.
Ultimately, these kinds of circumstances are not just limited to law. Are you good at writing? Doing research? Preparing reports? In addition to soft skills like communication, these are the types of abilities needed in every kind of industry.
Expand your knowledge
Expanding your knowledge means going beyond what you already know and expanding your skill set. This will greatly improve your appeal and marketability to companies, especially those that may doubt your competence due to age.
The Industrial Strategy Council expects an increase in the demand for higher-level skills by 2030. There’s a growing awareness that technological competence and interpersonal communication are both trainable and recognised as necessary for success in this digital era.
You can choose to attend workshops or take free courses online. Don’t hesitate over taking up internships or apprentice programs as well. In fact, our previous article highlighted how apprenticeships are the key to career change aspirations, as they allow people to earn money whilst learning and gaining new skills.
Maintain your connections
Connections may seem difficult during the pandemic, but putting in the effort is worth it. Other than having a continuous mental and emotional support group, networking is one of the most effective avenues for career progression.
Finding jobs through connections has become especially important after Covid-19. In particular, high-value volunteer opportunities are a great platform to get to know more like-minded people. They also build knowledge simultaneously, whether about social issues outside your field, or about your own work habits and goals.
The above tips will allow you to stand out from the rest and overcome any shortcomings that companies will definitely be looking for. As our economy slowly recovers from the recession, it’s crucial that you’re ready for the next step of your career.
