There’s no getting around this: it’s a challenging market out there right now – for everyone. Anyone who tells you otherwise I suspect may have chosen to be a little economical with the truth. Thing is, that kind of slowdown brings with it challenges for our clients, our candidates and, naturally, also for us as recruitment partners. So, what can you do as a contractor to maximise your chances in a more competitive market?

​

Be More Jack

When building your career, there is obviously huge stock in building specialisation. But in a squeezed environment, making yourself a generalist can also be hugely valuable. For practitioners, your currency is your skills and the more of those you have to offer, the more indisposable you will become to almost any organisation. Take every opportunity to expand your repertoire, continue professional training & consider embarking on contracts that might be outside your comfort zone. Increasingly, clients are honing in on interim talent with multiple strings to their bow.

​

Clean Up Your Shop Window

Even in a digital world, your CV still remains your most immediate selling tool so make sure it’s spick-and-span. Consider carefully tailoring it for particular roles, keep things ultra-current and ensure your copy is punchy, modern and to-the-point: we’re professional communicators, after all. Don’t forget to apply the same rigour to your LinkedIn profile. Get the basics right and the rest will always follow.

​

Financial Flexibility

Everyone has a baseline. We all have mortgages, rents, sky-rocketing bills and - yes, heavens above – a personal life to pay for. And the last thing we would advocate – especially as recruiters – would be for you to undersell yourself. But it’s also worth considering some fluidity with your rates. So flip-reverse things a bit: if you’re out of contract and need to get back on the ladder, consider roles that may be out of your normal range - in one direction or another. Look first at the scope of the position and whether you have the skills & experience to succeed in it. If you think you do, then take a moment to consider whether it is financially or professionally viable.

​

(Don’t) Stay In Your Lane

Here at VMA GROUP, we are huge advocates for taking a sector-agnostic approach and regularly petition organisations to look at talent from other industries - naturally, we’re a multi-disciplinary agency with clients in almost every corner of professional life. But it’s not just sales talk. I can vouch personally for that because in my own lengthy comms career, most of the very best practitioners with whom I crossed paths had built their expertise in a range of industries. It’s an approach that breeds diversity in every sense, quality and range. Candidates should consider a similar approach. Yes, it’s important to find your USP but don’t be constrained by it. Your skills carry huge currency in a bigger span of sectors than you might think.</