Growth industries can present opportunities and challenges for both employers and candidates. I recently sat down with radio presenter Alan Hickey on FIVEaa to discuss some growth industries in South Australia and how employers and candidates can make the most of the opportunities these industries present.
Understanding the opportunities
A little research is your best friend when it comes to understanding the opportunities presented by growing industries. This is true for both employers and people looking for the next step in their career. You can often find government and industry resources online that can give you an insight into current opportunities and industry forecasts. But don’t stop there. Professional networks can provide invaluable information you likely won’t find on the internet. Talk to your peers and colleagues already in the industry that interests you. Meet with people in related industries that might have similar opportunities. Attend industry events and expand your network. Making the effort to explore opportunities will put you in a better position to take full advantage of them.
Recruiting for growth industries
For employers anticipating a period of growth, it is important to plan your recruitment. Be clear about what your business needs and what you are looking for in ideal candidates. Think about how your business is preparing, adapting and reacting to growth. Work out where your preferred candidates will be coming from. For example, are you looking for graduates, professionals in the same industry, or perhaps people with transferable skills from a different industry? Then decide how you will attract the right candidates and develop a recruitment strategy.
Times of growth may also lead to increased recruitment needs. Therefore, it may be a good time to consult a recruiter. At SULLIVAN Consulting, we can assist with recruiting for individual roles, or you can outsource your entire recruiting process and strategy to us. We have a market-leading social media following and digital recruitment strategies to reach the top talent in any industry. We’d love to meet with you to discuss your recruitment needs, so if you’re looking to grow, give us a call. Lastly, don’t forget that in times of growth, it’s important to be aware that your main competitors will be growing too! This means that your business will need a competitive edge to recruit and keep the best in the industry, so plan ahead for how you will achieve that.
Responding to the opportunities of growth industries as a candidate
When you’re looking for new career opportunities in a growth industry, how to respond will depend in part on whether you are already in the industry. If you are, being prepared is key. Find out what opportunities are likely to be available to you and know what you are looking for. Consider your skills and circumstances. How can you improve your chances of making the most of a growing industry? Is it time to upskill to take advantage of promotion possibilities? Perhaps you’re looking to negotiate a pay rise. Or maybe it’s time to move jobs, in which case you’ll likely need to review your resume. If you need advice, don’t forget we offer complimentary appointments for one-on-one advice and salary benchmarking.
On the other hand, if you are keen to move into a growth industry it’s important to do the groundwork. What are employers looking for? Do you need industry-specific qualifications, training or certification? Assess what skills, education and experience you do have, and how this compares to what employers are seeking in advertised roles. What transferable skills do you have? How can you build up your industry experience? If you’re already employed in another area, can you join a project team to gain experience in a new area? Maybe there are volunteer opportunities you could take on. Particularly if you are studying, internships can also be another way to develop relevant industry experience. These activities, as well as attending industry events, are a great way to develop your professional network and build valuable relationships in the industry you want to join.
Whichever side of the recruitment process you are on, there are opportunities to be explored in growth industries. For both employers and candidates, doing your research and being prepared will put you in a strong position to make the most them.
Every month I talk recruitment with Alan Hickey on FIVEaa. Follow SULLIVAN Consulting on social media for the latest updates on when to hear us and what topic we’re tackling next.
