How to Navigate Job Market Changes

It's easy freak out about the job market right now. But, there is a silver lining in all of this uncertainty. The smart move? Use this time to invest in yourself. I learned this the hard way, wasting too much time trying to make a move during the Great Recession and getting no results. At first, I panicked. Then I realized the job market was completely out of my control and decided to focus on something that wasn't: Expanding my skillset and getting a new certification. ⭐Within 10 months, I was promoted from recruiting to leading PR and external affairs. ⭐Within 4 years, I was recruited to a dream job Bottom line: This isn't the time to just sit back and relax. And panicking won't help. When the job market turns (and it will!) you want to be ready to go. Here's what to do now to set yourself up for success: 1️⃣ Create Your Own Opportunities ↳ Volunteer for high-visibility projects ↳ Solve problems nobody owns yet ↳ Document your wins meticulously 2️⃣ Build Strategic Relationships ↳ Network across departments and externally ↳ Find mentors who challenge your thinking ↳ Be the go-to person others count on for something specific 3️⃣ Learn In-Demand Skills ↳ Master data analysis and visualization ↳ Build AI savvy and experience ↳ Pick up tools to manage complex projects 4️⃣ Develop As A Thought Leader ↳ Share insights from your daily work ↳ Write internal newsletters or reports ↳ Present at team meetings consistently 5️⃣ Volunteer in Your Community ↳ Search for organizations aligned with your values ↳ Find out what help they need most ↳ Take on a leadership role to make connections or build skills 6️⃣ Teach Others ↳ Choose something you genuinely enjoy ↳ Take a deep dive into it so you can teach it to others ↳ Check out community centers, and local colleges for adjunct roles 7️⃣ Start a Side Gig ↳ What can you do that others can't or won't? ↳ Let friends, family and neighbors know what you're doing ↳ Ask people to refer you and share testimonials on social media 💡Career growth isn't just about changing jobs. It's about owning your own professional development. ♻️ Share to help others grow professionally. 🔔 Follow Sarah Baker Andrus for more career insights. 📌 Need help with your growth strategy? DM me to chat.

📆 When I was 41, I made a major career transition. I moved from teaching a technical curriculum at a University into a corporate role. The opportunity to transition into this corporate position came through a network referral. I relocated my family from Houston to Austin; just me and my two daughters, who were 11 and 6 years old. We packed up our lives and moved on November 1. By November 6, they were in their new school. By November 10, I was sitting in orientation with 300 other new hires, stepping into a completely different world. I didn’t have family nearby; no built-in support system, and no remote work options—it wasn’t even a concept yet. I showed up to the office every morning, put in a full day’s work, and at 5 PM, I walked out the door. Work stayed at work. Evenings and weekends belonged to my daughters. There were no emails, no after-hours text messages, no blurred lines between work and home. Looking back, those were simpler times. I spent 13 years in the 2000's with that company, growing and adapting—moving from product manager to learning and development, then into sales leadership, talent acquisition, and channel management. Each transition required me to stretch, learn, and adjust to new roles, new teams, and new expectations. But even though change was a constant, I always had control over how I approached each new challenge. That’s where I see the biggest struggle for professionals today. The job market has changed dramatically, and for many, it feels like everything is out of their control. Companies are getting leaner, competition is tougher, and the traditional ways of landing a job aren’t working anymore. The frustration is real, and the uncertainty can feel overwhelming. But here’s the thing: even in the most uncertain times, there are things we CAN control. 🌟 How you position yourself matters more than ever. You can’t afford to be invisible. 🌟 Networking and relationships: Relying solely on online applications is a dead-end strategy. Warm connections make all the difference. 🌟 Interview readiness: Confidence doesn’t come from luck—it comes from preparation, practice, and knowing how to communicate your value. 🌟 Your mindset and resilience: Navigating career transitions—whether planned or unexpected—requires persistence, adaptability, and a willingness to adjust your approach. The biggest mistake professionals make today is assuming that what worked in the past will work now. It won’t. The job search has evolved, and so must we. When I made that transition years ago, I had to figure things out as I went. Today, the path is different, but the challenge remains the same: how do you take control of your career and move forward with clarity, confidence, and a plan? If you’re feeling stuck in your job search, know this—you’re not alone. But staying in the same cycle won’t change your outcome. It’s time to rethink the approach. Let’s talk. Let’s create a strategy. Let’s get you moving forward.

Considering a Career Transition? Doing this one thing can make the difference between being overlooked or being selected for an interview and landing an offer. ✅ Be the obvious choice – Don’t assume recruiters will connect the dots. They’re often scanning for an exact title match. Your job? Bridge the gap for them. Translate your past experience into the language of your target role so they see you as a natural fit. Example:  Transition from a Project Manager → Product Manager Let’s say you’ve been a Project Manager for years but want to move into a Product Manager role. A recruiter or hiring manager might not immediately see the connection because they’re looking for candidates with direct Product Management titles. Instead of listing: ❌ “Managed project timelines, budgets, and stakeholder communications.” Reframe it to match Product Management language: ✅ “Led cross-functional teams to deliver customer-focused solutions, prioritizing features based on business impact and user needs.” Why this works: “Led cross-functional teams” aligns with how product managers work across engineering, design, and marketing. “Customer-focused solutions” signals an understanding of product development, not just project execution. “Prioritizing features based on business impact and user needs” shows a product mindset—something critical for a PM role. ✨ Bonus: 📎📄 Attached is an in-depth example of how to identify your transferable skills and effectively highlight them as relevant experience. This can be a tool that assists you with your resume, interviewing and negotiating. 💡 Need guidance? Assisting clients with career pivots and transitions is something I excel at. Plus - I’ve successfully navigated several transitions in my own career, so I’ve lived it. Let’s connect! #CareerChange #CareerAdvice #JobSearch #CareerTransition #Laidoff #CareerDevelopment #CareerGrowth #JobSeeker #CareerPivot