As iProfile reveals over 60% of British workers are doing nothing to improve their job security, the online CV expert launches its Recession Survival Guide for Jobseekers and Jobkeepers.
The majority of the British workforce is in denial about the state of the current jobs market.
Research from online CV expert iProfile.org has found that despite nearly 30% of workers believing there is a good chance they will be made redundant in the next 12 months, and only 13% thinking that their job is completely safe, a worrying 61% have done nothing to improve their job security.
This gap means that many people would be vastly under-prepared for the job-hunting market if they were to find themselves made redundant.
As a result, iProfile.org has launched its comprehensive Recession Survival Guide for Jobseekers and Jobkeepers.
With nearly 3 million iProfile holders in the UK, iProfile.org has drawn on its industry knowledge to offer practical advice to all: including recent graduates; those who have found themselves unemployed after many years of service; and even those lucky enough to still have a job.
For those looking for work, the guide includes suggestions of new career moves, highlights the key transferable skills and predicts the expected growth industries.
Meanwhile, for those currently in employment the guide offers advice for spotting the signs of redundancy, and gives recommendations of measures employees can take to keep their job.
Alongside this, iProfile.org gives invaluable tips on how best to update your CV template and sell yourself to current or potential employers.
“We understand that facing unemployment can be a daunting time, but we’re surprised by how little people are doing to help improve their situation,” explains Peter Linas, Alliance Director, iProfile.org.
“Our research found that only 39% of those surveyed had taken measures to safeguard their job: just 16% had worked unpaid overtime; 8% of employees have postponed their holidays; a tiny 3% have bought smarter clothes for work; and 2% have volunteered to take a pay cut or switch from full time to part time employment.
“With this in mind, our guide is designed to advise jobseekers and jobkeepers of the best ways to take action.”
Linas continues, “One of the easiest and most effective things jobkeepers can do is update their CV, however, our survey results show that only 17% of workers have ensured their CV is up-to-date. Your CV is the key to securing a job, and in the current climate you never know when you might need it.
“If you’re made redundant it’s possible you won’t be able to return to your desk, let alone collect any relevant information as evidence of your work achievements. Candidates often fail to include their achievements in their CV simply because they’ve forgotten them.
“For this reason it’s best to keep track of you skills and achievements as you go along, as this will be a great help when applying for a new job and can even highlight your transferable skills if you’re looking to change careers.”
Nathan Stevenson began his career as a high-flying quantitative analyst in a London-based hedge fund but when the credit crunch came last year he left the world of finance to pursue his dream of making movies.
Nathan’s old career has played a large part in his success after finding many of his skills were transferable: “Hedge funds are fast paced, demanding precision and sharp analytical skills.
That’s essential when pulling together and managing multiple film projects and business opportunities.” Nathan admits that it was a nerve-wracking move, but by highlighting the skills he already had in his CV it was one that certainly paid off.
“It is undeniably tough for jobseekers at the moment – recruiters are no longer finding it difficult to source new candidates, so jobseekers need to be doing everything they can to search for jobs and build relationships with recruiters – they should treat looking for work as a full time job in itself,” says Nick Butcher, CEO of Capital International.
“It’s also worth remembering that recruiters are struggling to find vacancies, so if you know of any positions available that aren’t suitable for you, let them know – building a reputation for being a great candidate will help recruiters remember you for future job opportunities.”
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