Some of the largest tech giants in the world, including Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Salesforce.com, and Intel, continue to announce layoffs. Many people who follow the industry believe that many of the tech job openings filled during COVID-19 resulted in over-hiring. Many legacies of IT jobs, system administration, telecom, and desktop support ended up on the chopping block.
People facing a layoff in technology will see a favorable upside. The technology industry continues to hire even amid layoffs. Positions in cybersecurity, data analytics, software development, and cloud engineering remained unfilled, even during the organizational downsizing.
Many active-duty and former military personnel, as well as recently laid-off IT system administrators, telecom managers, desktop analysts, and database administrators, have attended CIAT.Edu to gain additional knowledge and experience in cybersecurity, Amazon Cloud, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, and data analytics.
While facing layoffs can bring emotional, financial, and family challenges, this is also an incredible time to reshape your future professional career by acquiring additional skills, adding certifications to your resume, and networking with others through LinkedIn and social media.
Overview of the Current Situation
Many laid-off individuals struggle with updating their resume and LinkedIn profiles due to feelings of devastation and self-doubt. However, regularly updating these documents can prepare you in case new opportunities arise. Your presentation significantly affects how employers perceive you, which, in turn, can influence their response.
Maintaining a positive outlook on your career options and investing in yourself both physically and emotionally is very important for employers. Are you ready for new challenges, or do you still have lingering doubts? Investing in your emotional well-being will help motivate you to overcome your current situation. Taking morning power walks, meeting with friends and past colleagues, and assessing your skills portfolio will go a long way in landing career opportunities.
Power of Freelance and the Gig Economy
While IT personnel who have been laid off adjust to their new circumstances, many have turned to websites like upwork.com to become professional freelancers. Employers often utilize Upwork.com to bring on contractors to bridge gaps or assist with ongoing digital transformation strategies. These contractors make an excellent per-hour rate while gaining valuable experience for their technology portfolio. Employers also use Upwork.com to recruit talent.