Self-promotion and value-adding key to job security during economic uncertainty

By recruitment expert CLINTON MOORE, Director, RecruitR

Australian recruitment specialist and RecruitR Director, Clinton Moore is advising Aussie workers to brush up on their self-promotion skills and invest in up-skilling to safeguard against the effects of a job market tightening.

Australian workers have been lucky over the past ten years or so- a booming economy and skills shortage have led to record lows in unemployment and in certain industries job security is a sure thing, with job seekers often able to get the pick of any job they want with a healthy salary and benefits to boot.

As a result of the recent economic uncertainty, however, there has been some speculation over potential job losses, and a return to the unemployment rates of the late 80s and early 90s is again looming large in the minds of many Australian workers.

However, according to the co-founder of specialist recruitment firm, RecruitR, Clinton Moore, there's no need to panic-- good roles will still be on offer for those who have the right skills and expertise and who have the ability to sell them in to prospective employers, even in a more competitive job market.

"If you're in a position when you are genuinely looking to make your next career move, don't let the predictions of doom and gloom scare you into staying in a job you're not really happy with," Mr Moore said.

"There are still excellent career opportunities up for grabs, and history shows us that this will continue to be the case, regardless of economic climate.

"People switch jobs and career paths, people retire, leave work to start families, go back to study, travel-- these are things that take place all the time no matter what economic factors are at play.

"Australia's been lucky to enjoy some of the lowest employment rates in history over the past few years and so lately the job market has heavily favoured job seekers rather than employers.

"We've seen salaries continue to rise and rise in line with demand, especially in sectors that are experiencing acute skills shortages, such as mining, resources and construction, so it's quite natural for there to be a cooling off period to level things out again, he said.

But Mr Moore added that a cooling off period doesn't necessarily mean salaries or benefits will be cut back.

"Traditionally, any period of economic uncertainty means a nation-wide tightening of the belt and slowing in spending in the business sector, and in terms of the job market this can sometimes mean staff cuts and leaner hiring schedules.

"However past experience also shows us that during these times employers also put a much higher value on staff who can demonstrate an ability to perform consistently, and bring real, tangible benefits to the business.

"In a more competitive job market, what this means is that being able to really sell your abilities and your achievements to an employer will play a big role in ensuring your job security, or in snagging the job, salary and benefits you really want," he said.

Moore recommends job seekers take the time to update their resume to suit the current economic climate, to demonstrate what tangible benefits they can offer a prospective employer during a time of limited financial resources or economic stress.

"Highlight your involvement in projects where you've had a direct role in improving efficiency or productivity levels, reducing wastage or have consistently hit set targets while remaining under budget," Moore said.

"Also make mention of any roles you've been in which have required you work creatively with limited resources, or have demonstrated a willingness to take the initiative to get a job done.

"In times of uncertainty, employers love loyalty. Show them you are willing and committed to doing your best to help them achieve both their long and short term business goals, and they'll be more likely to value you as a long-term member of their team," he said.

Moore also suggests current employees looking to cement their job security make the effort to show their bosses the value they bring to their organisation by value adding to their role.

"For some that might mean working on upping efficiency levels or reducing wastage, or taking the lead on an upcoming project to show their employers that they're committed to the long-term success of the company," he said.

"For others it might be a case of taking on additional responsibilities-which is a great way to value add to your role but also allows you to widen your skill set and experience, and ultimately makes you a more attractive hiring prospect in the future, should it come to that," he said.

The uncertainty surrounding the future job market is not entirely unwarranted, Moore said, with job losses a given in some sectors.

"There's likely to be a reversal in the effects of the boom we've seen over the past few years, so some workers may well be facing redundancies in certain specialist roles or sectors," Moore said.

"In that situation job seekers will need to show prospective employers how their specialist skills can be transferred to other positions or working environments and confidently sell their wider abilities as potential employees.

"At the end of the day, even if you face unemployment, being able to confidently and honestly show a prospective employer how you were willing to go above and beyond for your past employer, makes it more likely for them to see you as a potential asset for their own team," he said.

About Clinton Moore, RecruitR:
Clinton Moore is a director and co-founder of leading Australian recruitment firm RecruitR. He has nine years of international recruitment experience throughout Australia and the UK.

About RecruitR (www.recruitr.com.au ) :
RecruitR is one of the rising stars of the Australian recruitment industry. Founded in 2006 by directors Clinton Moore, Mahlah Ludekens, and Simone Moore, RecruitR is headquartered in Brisbane, and provides specialist recruitment services to employers and job seekers working in the national and international mining, oil and gas, construction, architecture, and engineering industries. This year, RecruitR won the Best Candidate Management and Best Start-Up categories at the 2008 Recruitment Excellence Award, was named as National Runners-Up in the Small Specialist Recruiter category of the 2008 Seek Annual Recruitment Awards, and finalists in the QBR Women in Business Awards 2008. The firm has also won numerous preferred supplier contracts with some of the largest and most respected specialist industry employers in the world.