Recession is simply not downsizing workforce and cost-cutting. Many employers see beyond the gloom of recession for good times awaiting its dawn in the future. They will continue to make job offers even as they reduce overall workforce. Behind every dark cloud there is a silver lining and an employer's optimism can be quite revealing. For instance during the peak of recession in 2009 more than 4 million job hires were made if the data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics is anything to go by.
Employers do not simply reduce employment costs by downsizing workforce. They think creatively in finding new ways of working and reorganization. They know well that that making people redundant and then recruiting them later when the market picks up is expensive and time consuming as they have to contend with their long-term reputation and responsibility to act as a fair employer. Bosses and managers are wary of hard unpleasant decisions that could drive them into a sense of despair. When faced with staff losses what an employer worries most is whether his team could end up losing hope.
When a downturn occurs there is slow revenue generation. Decline in growth and decrease in profits makes it tough managing human capital. A manager is indeed looking out for good candidates and devising strategies to manage downturns.
Well, times may be gloomy but you certainly need not be the one to share that view. You can always enter into deft salary negotiation and it is the skill of handling negotiation that can turn a bad situation into a favorable one. It is never easy but your own instinct and some expert advice could make the best out of a bad bargain.
Consider the pros and cons before you take your seat at the negotiating table. Despite what you say for a decent pay packet employers may be constrained to pay more than what is being offered unless you have a distinctive advantage which could act as your leverage.
Marketing, finance and sales may be suffering but manufacturing, information technology and engineering could show buoyancy. Employers are optimists and will eventually reinstate salary levels.
Make Your Case
Troubling times is cyclical and a good boss is keen to listen to a lot of accomplishment stories to meet his future needs and challenges. Accept a short final offer if the company is good and a salary review in six months could materialize if such an offer is made in writing for future consideration.
Be Your Exact Worth
Never fall into self-denial and lowering your self-esteem. What the employer sees in a good candidate is his self-confidence. Is he a hard worker, detail-oriented, sociable and is able to perform multitask? Is he as efficient as is required for the job? This means he can benefit the company and his knowledge would be able to meet the requirement of critical positions on demand (whatever software, responsibilities or knowledge that is required for the position that makes him the right fit for the position).
Always remember that be it good times or bad, top candidates are required for critical positions and are ever in demand. Nobody will lose a good candidate recession or no recession. Even if the labor-market conditions take a plunge you can always sit at the bargaining table hoping for the best and putting your best foot forward.
