Current Recruiting Environment

Is it the right time to take the leap now, especially with the economy going into a slowdown? Timing is very important in getting into a good company and profile. The current recruiting environment is not very positive. Over the past few weeks business and industry leaders have generally reflected an optimistic outlook of things but basic economic indicators point towards a slowdown in the economy. Some sectors like real estate, IT/ITES, airlines, etc. are definitely going to bear the brunt of this however one can expect recruitment across industries/sectors to take a hit in the short/medium term.

There is a silver lining though. There are certain industries/sectors which are going through an expansion (infrastructure, retail, entertainment, for example. There is an article in the Outlook Money dated 30 July 2008 - 10 Emerging Careers. A must read) and they will continue to grow and hence recruit, so the right thing to do now would be to identify these and try and get into them.

A few pointers:

1. Time your leaving the armed forces and your plans for further education/training, if possible.
2. Take time before you leave or during your course to tap any and every network you can (NDA, IMA, OTA, Rimcolians, Georgians, place types, company types, regiment types, unit types, etc... and no humour intended here) and ascertain which industries, sectors, companies and profiles are doing well and work towards them.
3. Read and keep yourself well informed through various sources. A few of them are mentioned in an earlier post.
   
4. Try and get into a company and profile where the skills you bring to the table are a core requirement for the company. This ensures your chances of growing faster. Also remember that there are cost centers and there are profit centers in a company. The former while being a part of the company and performing important/critical functions does not add to its top lines and an employee in this profile is a cost. The opposite is true for an employee who is a part of a profit center. Try to be a part of the latter.

(The timing of this post is important but it does not delve into too many details on the subject. I invite any reader with expertise/detailed knowledge on the same to contribute a guest post on the blog).