Dear Stephen,
Is it my imagination or is post-NeoCon/Design Days a boom for job opportunities?
I see more jobs listed on LinkedIn, from sales to C-suite, than ever before. I'm a regional vice president for a manufacturer and have recently gotten more cold calls than usual from recruiters across the country and even some calls from the HR people of direct competitors. Likewise, when I look at job postings on my competitors' websites, I see them chock full of new opportunities. Especially in sales!
I'm an industry veteran, so I've learned that after NeoCon there are a lot of people leaving their jobs for new jobs. Along with many companies just ready to change people out who are not producing but wanted to wait until NeoCon was over to do it. Which means that there are more jobs open than ever.
Also, every day I read online and see on TV how this is the lowest unemployment in the United States in over 50 years. The stock market is doing great, along with the furniture industry being very busy. I'm not an expert, but is my hunch correct? Is this a good time to be exploring opportunities? They say the best time to look for a job is when you're not really looking, and even though I'm really happy, I'm thinking of taking the plunge to see what's out there.
Signed,
Looking... But Not Looking
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Dear Conflicted,
You must be an industry veteran for sure because every year when NeoCon and Design Days are over many people get fired, and on the other side of that coin many employees quit. So, yes, your hunch is correct; jobs open up everywhere in our industry around this time of year. In the interior furnishings industry summertime is not just for vacations -- it's for finding a new job and hiring new people!
Manufacturers and dealers alike tend to want to go into the June trade shows with a full staff. Then, as soon as the shows are over, so are the careers of the non-performing employees. They get the axe.
The other side of the coin is that many employees who were interviewing before NeoCon change jobs after the trade show for slightly different reasons; sometimes they can't decide until after Chicago where something triggers them to want to make a move, or they just wanted to work one last show at that employer. Then, just as many people use NeoCon as a job fair and secretly interview with their future employers while they are at the show and get offers over the summer.
This is the specific cycle to our industry, and why summertime is so busy for headhunters and HR departments.
As of my writing this article, the stock market continues to rise, you are right on that account; employees nationwide are being pressured to go back into the office. Simultaneously, employers are under pressure to offer well-designed, exciting spaces with new furniture. Class A building owners are also smart enough to give huge credits for build-outs to renters when leasing new spaces, and that money goes towards new office furniture. In other words, our industry continues to be very busy with hiring the people who design, market, and sell furniture. As well as the people who deliver, install and service it. Everyone is hiring!
As I've said before and you seem to understand, the very best time to explore other jobs confidentially is when you don't need to. Allowing you to interview objectively and clearly, so you can see what your options are, and very often people find out that the grass really isn't that much greener after all.
Here's another important reason to interview – it's simply to know your own worth. Why not just see what kind of salary numbers are out there? You may not be getting paid what you're worth and learning that alone is enough reason to get out there and take an interview. Or, on the other hand, you may be getting paid great money, and you will now appreciate that even more after seeing what other people are offering.
Just remember, there is still a risk when you're gainfully employed and interviewing, and the saying "loose lips sink ships" means simply do not tell your friends, or anyone really, you may be interviewing. After all, there is nothing stopping your current boss from finding out and deciding that if you're not happy wherever you are, another good employee willing to take your spot is no doubt right around the corner. Guess what, they're right!
Signed,
Stephen