How to Thrive in Your Career during Uncertain Times

Feb 17
5 min read

Smiling woman in a white shirt clenches fists in excitement at a desk. Bright office setting with plants and a white mug nearby.

The jobs market is currently experiencing transformation, turbulence and becoming much more competitive. Advanced A.I. algorithms and automation impact all jobs and influence which skills employers prioritise in candidates.

Domestic and geopolitical uncertainties and macroeconomic factors influence the jobs market and the associated hiring decisions. Economic issues continue to impact the market, forcing certain companies to implement hiring freezes, lay off portions of their workforce, and find other ways to cut costs.

In this landscape, it’s becoming increasingly important for candidates to find ways to become more flexible, adaptable, and resilient.

So, how can you navigate the uncertainty of the current job landscape and build a career that thrives?

If some or all of this resonates with you, get in contact to arrange a free initial exploratory Teams discussion.

Preparing for Economic Uncertainty

Despite some recent positive economic shifts, such as reduced inflation and improving GDP, financial issues still disrupt hiring practices. According to the Office for National Statistics, the number of jobs available in the U.K at the end of 2025 was 729,000, down nearly 10% on the previous year and down by 323,000 since August 2021!

At a time when job stability is fragile, now is the time to prepare yourself for financial headaches and job-seeking complexity.

Assess how to accelerate and improve your job-seeking process by working with a professional to build a strong personal brand. This effective personal brand, characterised by a strong online presence, will help make you more ‘attractive’, particularly now that companies rely heavily on social media for recruitment.

Handling Technology Disruptions

Although concerns about A.I. and automation eliminating roles in certain industries are often highly exaggerated, there’s no doubt that technology will cause significant disruptions for many employees in 2026. The World Economic Forum predicts between 40% and 60% of jobs will be influenced by artificial intelligence in some way.

In disruptive and fast-moving industries there’s a good chance new developments in the technology landscape will lead to changes in your responsibilities and tasks. Investing in digital literacy is the best way to prepare for this shift.

Learn as much as you can about the technologies affecting your sector and the skills current employers seek. Follow industry leaders online to stay up-to-date with current trends and evolutions.

Explore how you can make yourself more valuable to your employers to minimise the risk of technological unemployment. Think about the unique skills you can offer as a human being, such as empathy, adaptability, and creativity.

Adopting the Right Mindset for Resilience

In turbulent times, employers are increasingly screening candidates based on their technical skills and personality traits, such as resilience and adaptability. Business leaders know hiring employees with a growth mindset means they’ll benefit from flexible team members who can learn from their mistakes and consistently improve their skills.

Cultivating a growth mindset by embracing challenges, actively seeking feedback from colleagues, and reframing failure as a learning opportunity can make you more attractive to business leaders. The right mindset will also help you to preserve your mental health and wellbeing as you face the stress and anxiety of an uncertain landscape.

Assess your current thought processes and emotional intelligence, and ask yourself how to reframe your mindset from a positive perspective. Celebrate your wins, learn from your losses, and regularly practice self-reflection.

Embracing the Era of Flexibility

In a difficult job market, it can take six months or more to find a new role.

Flexible roles have become increasingly popular for people searching for greater work-life balance and higher salaries. However, they do come with their challenges to consider. For instance, contractor roles lack the benefits of full-time positions and may not offer the same level of security and consistent income.

Consider your options for contractor work carefully and ask yourself whether you’re comfortable navigating the challenges of a different career style.

Investing in Constant Skill Development

As mentioned above, one of the best ways to ensure your career in the industry is truly unshakeable is to make yourself invaluable to your employer. The more beneficial you have, whether technical skills related to tasks that can’t be automated or soft skills like exceptional communication and problem-solving abilities, the better.

To ensure you’re investing in the right skill development opportunities, review the trends in your industry. Remember, skill requirements can change rapidly. According to the Boston Consulting Group, 37% of the top interview skills requested for the average job in the USA have changed in the last eight years.

You can obtain a greater understanding of your own skills, including those that may be ‘unknown’ to you, by working with a professional to provide you with a detailed psychometric assessment.

Once you’ve identified your valuable and transferable skills, look for various ways to develop them. Take courses or online workshops, or consider working with mentors from different backgrounds.

Staying Informed about Industry Changes

Information is power when becoming a resilient employee. The more you know about the trends happening in your sector, the faster you can adapt.

Joining online groups and LinkedIn forums can help you gather valuable information to use as you work on your career development. Connecting with people both online and offline through conferences, events, and workshops will give you access to a wide range of insights.

Developing an effective network will also help you strengthen your personal brand, boost your credibility, and allow you to share more engaging, thought leadership-style content across social media platforms.

Working with a Professional Consultant

Finally, working with a personal consultant is one of the best ways to improve your chances of achieving your career goals, regardless of uncertain times. They can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, decide which skills you should be prioritising and help you through every stage of the hiring selection process from preparing an attention-grabbing CV, through to coaching you at each of the different interview stages.

A market specialist recruitment company can also provide real-time insights into market trends and help you connect with companies looking for your skills.

Become Unshakeable in Turbulent Times

The world and industry are changing at an incredible pace, directly impacting candidates in search of the right roles. To ensure you can continue to survive and thrive during this difficult time, it’s important to have a strategy for resilience.

Following the steps above to diversify your income streams, improve your skills, and optimise your job search strategy will ensure you can continue progressing towards your career goals. Work with the right personal consultant to help improve your brand and CV or prepare you for interview success.

With over 35 years of executive recruiting experience, I have supported thousands of professionals in rewriting and optimising their CVs, sharpening their interview skills, and successfully securing them the roles to which they truly aspire.