The following article was published in the October edition of “London Business Matters”, the monthly magazine of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

“Job Hunting in Recession Time”

In the current financial climate unemployment figures continue to rise while the number of vacancies is decreasing. To be victorious in the job hunting quest you need to be able to differentiate yourself from your competitors. One successful approach is to take on extracurricular activities that will aid your personal development.

This summer, Beament Leslie Thomas (BLT), one of the country’s leading niche specialist recruiters, partnered with Junior Chamber International London (JCI London) and AIESEC alumni (AIESEC is an international association of students) to host a networking event “Job Hunting in a Recession”. The event was organised to help attendees consider what they have to do to be successful at finding a job in these challenging economic times.

Guest speakers, including BLT’s founder and director Don Leslie, addressed the audience on the different aspects of job hunting and offered a unique insight into how HR recruiters identify potential employees now compared to previous years. Besides giving much useful and practical advice, the speakers were all united on two common themes: using the benefits of networking with peers and the need to include additional skills on your CV.

Marco van den Heuvel, President of JCI London, states, “I strongly believe that this is where personal development organisations like JCI and AIESEC really add to the value of your qualifications and skills on your CV.” Currently, the job market is super-saturated for many professions and when applicants for a vacancy come from a similar previous occupation, most will be qualified to fill that position. “Investing in your personal development might just make you stand out that bit more than anybody else going for the same job.”

Often the first step in getting your next job is to make your CV stand out from all others in structure and layout as well as additional skills you can bring to the position. Only then will you stand a good chance of being noticed in the 10 seconds that most recruiters take to look at a CV. That might get you invited for step 2: the job interview.

A reoccurring theme that many recruiters and HR personnel agree on is the importance of transferable skills. Often these are considered more valuable than knowledge and experience. Knowledge can be acquired, experience comes with time, but skills need to be developed and not everyone has that ability. In addition, employers value candidates who invest their own time in extracurricular activities to enhance their personal development.

Since the joint BLT-JCI-AIESEC event, Marco has successfully changed professions from a research chemist to a consultant in the education sector. Despite the current job market with so many people unemployed he says he “managed to get another job for which I had no experience, qualifications, or knowledge. But thanks to all the skills I had developed and acquired within JCI it turned out I was the best candidate. This career change would not have been possible if it wasn’t for my extracurricular activities within JCI.”

Marco was also very enthusiastic about the benefits of networking events like the one with BLT. “You meet new people and you never know what it might lead to. You might just find your next job through the next event you go to.” Case in point, Marco met his new employer, Marcus Orlovsky from Bryanston Square Consulting, at a JCI Conference networking opportunity.

JCI is a voluntary, world-wide organisation that provides personal development opportunities by empowering young professionals and entrepreneurs to create positive change in society as well as their career progression. As members of a global network of nearly 200,000 active citizens, their skill set is enhanced by organising events in their free time focused on business, training, community, social, and international aspects. Many companies recognise JCI involvement by their staff as CPD – Continuing Personal Development.