A falling economy and rise in layoffs have a lot of us uncertain about the future. Blair Heitmann, career expert for LinkedIn, says posts on the platform that are tied to layoffs are increasing nearly 20% year over year and discussions around the recession are up 900%. Instead of just talking about it, it’s possible to do something. Heitmann suggests practicing “career cushioning.”
“Career cushioning means pushing for whatever comes next in the economy and the job market,” she says. “It’s taking actions that keep your options open. It’s like an insurance policy to set yourself up for success no matter what is to come.”
In other words, the best time to look for a new job is when you’ve already got one. You won’t feel desperate, and you can take time and make the best decision. To cushion your career, follow these four steps:
Update Your LinkedIn Profile and Résumé
If you haven’t updated your LinkedIn account or résumé since you started your current job, the information may not fully demonstrate the scale of your expertise.
“Skills are really important right now to hiring managers,” says Heitmann. “Forty percent of hiring managers on LinkedIn explicitly look for skills to fill their roles, especially over last couple years when it’s been a tight labor market.”
Make sure your résumé accurately communicates all the skills that you’ve developed over the course of your career using the terms hiring managers would search. And don’t underestimate soft skills, such as creativity and communication, says Heitmann.
Identify Your Ideal Role
Since you spend many hours of your life working, it should be meaningful. Whether you’re looking for a new job right now or not, think through what is next, says Heitmann.
“We used to talk about our five-year or 10-year plan, but what really matters to you and your professional life?” she asks. “What do you want to focus on? What skills you need to get there? Take time to figure out what makes you tick and make that plan.”
Your ideal role will also include where you work. Heitmann says a lot of business leaders are looking for their employees to go back into the office. “We know that there are more onsite jobs available than remote,” she says. “If remote or hybrid is something you’re really interested in, you want to evaluate is that one of my values and is that something that I should really make sure it’s a priority when I find my next role.”
Keep Your Professional Network Warm
Start putting feelers out. If you’ve identified specific companies, look for people in your network who work there or have second- or third-degree connections with people that work there.
“Ask for warm introductions and ask people what it’s like to work [for your target companies],” says Heitmann. “Go into those conversations to get a stronger understanding of the culture. The person can help you understand what type of an environment it is and what their day-to-day life is like so you can determine if it would work for you.”
Staying top of mind with your contacts is a two-way street, adds Heitmann. “Your professional network is the most important asset over the course of your career, and you really want to tend to it like a garden,” says Heitmann. “It’s best to not call on them only when you need a favor.”
Instead, share industry news or articles that might be of value to them. Or pick up the phone and ask how they’re doing.
Let People Know You’re Open to New Opportunities
LinkedIn has an “open to work” filter that shows up on your profile photo that signals to your network that you’re interested in learning about new roles. “We know that people who add this filter get four times as many email from recruiters,” says Heitmann.
Being open to work doesn’t necessarily mean you are ready to quit or that you dislike your current job. It simply means you’re keeping your options open. Heitmann says there’s a way to set the feature so that it ensures that it’s not visible to recruiters at your own company and can only be seen by people in your network outside your company.
Career cushioning is about setting yourself up for the next thing. It’s not about panicking, says Heitmann. “Right now, we’re in a a moment of uncertainty,” she says. “From our data, we know that Gen-Zers in particular are more worried about what’s to come. . . . At a time like this, evaluate your situation, and think through what that next step is. Determine how best you can set yourself up for success and then prepare for it.”
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