Is it safe for you to change jobs now?

The current crisis has impacted hiring trends, but contrary to popular belief, hiring is not at a standstill. For many companies, they are reviewing their hiring strategies, moving their interview processes to virtual channels and focusing on hiring for positions that are deemed critical. 

Understandably, we still get candidates who are wary about making any career moves right now. Some even ask our recruitment consultants "Wouldn’t there be some unspoken Last In, First Out rule?" So, if you're looking for a better opportunity, how do you know if it’s safe to change jobs?

Try to get these questions answered before you make your decision to switch jobs.

Start with yourself

Before you even attend any interviews, start by figuring out what you're looking for. Do you know what you want to get out of your career? What are the dealbreakers that you just can't compromise?

It is also necessary to adjust your mindset. Avoid making any assumptions about the industry, company and the position. During times filled with uncertainties, things change so you can no longer assume that everything is the same.

It is also during these times where you may need to be a little flexible. If you get any offers that don't check all the boxes, ask yourself "Is it good enough for me?” and “Does it fulfil what I'm looking for?" For example, if you get a job that offers better experience or security, getting a 15% increment instead of your ideal 20% may be alright.

Understand the industry

We cannot stress this enough. Do your homework. Do your research to understand how the crisis has impacted the industry and the company.

Some of the questions you can start with are:

• How is the industry being hit by the crisis?

• What is the impact on the company? What are the company's response and actions?

• What is the importance of the position to the company? How does it bring value to the company? 

By doing your homework, you may also end up having questions that you want answered by the company. Your understanding of the market and the in-depth questions you have will show the interviewer you have a thorough understanding of the market.

Ask the question

During your interview, you can bring up the topic of job security. Just like how companies want to know that you won't leave the company two weeks into the job, you would also want to know that they won't let you go in two weeks. Don't be afraid to ask, "Can we discuss the security of this job?"

If that isn’t a question you’re comfortable asking outright, try to gauge the security of this role by finding out how important this position is to the company. Find out more about the size of the team and the department, and understand how the team brings value to the company.

If you’re working with a recruiter on your next career move, you can always discuss these issues with them. As they are working closely with companies to fill any critical positions, they will be more familiar with the company and its needs. If you have any questions, ask away!