Covid-19: 3 Tips For Job Search & Salary Negotiation

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We spoke to Daniel Chou, Director at Oasis Interactive Design and Assistive Creative Director at PlayStudios Asia to learn about practical job search tips for jobseekers during a recession.

He directs and scales distributed teams within Playstudios, and is directly in charge of talent recruiting, contract negotiation, and team mentoring.

Here are 3 job search and salary negotiation tips all jobseekers must know when looking for a job in a recession.

Tip 1: Be proactive and assertive

What can jobseekers do right now to increase their chances of getting an employer’s attention or landing a job right now?

So when it comes to the creative field, or any industry that requires a portfolio, you only get 2-3 seconds to capture the attention of your employer. You got to make that 2 seconds count. Wow your employer with your best or most relevant artwork to that specific industry that you’re applying for.

There are also candidates that I can tell will become leaders within my team just from the first interaction within our interview. They are usually very proactive and assertive. For the engagements that we have online, they will establish the meeting time and everything. They don’t just wait.

They are not reactive. If you’re reactive in this situation, especially with a recession going on, you are going to get kicked out or replaced. Because all it takes is someone with one more sentence than you to have you replaced.

“Hey, how about this time on this date?”

That sentence alone will immediately replace you. That’s how easy it is for one to be replaced, because being proactive in a recession is extremely important.

If you manage to get a hiring manager’s attention, don’t wait, don’t be reactive. Set up a time. Figure out what is a good time between both parties.

Tip 2: Do your own market resear

Many jobseekers are struggling with accepting a lower paying job than otherwise expected – because of the recession that’s going on. Does it actually affect their future chances for negotiating a higher salary?

That’s kind of a negotiation process you have to do with your company. Because your value and talent would be best known only to yourself. You also have to do your own market research.

You also have to consider what the employer is sacrificing to train you up to speed. If that’s the case then maybe you have to accept a lower salary, but there’s always room for discussion.

You can open with this: “Yes, I can accept a lower salary now, but 3 months down the road if I can perform at the expected level, let’s discuss raising my salary to this number.”

So salary negotiation is always flexible. You just need to figure out what is your value and contribution to your employer. Use that as a key advantage to your discussion.

Tip 3: Figure out the market rate for your salary

From your experience hiring junior to senior roles, what do you think is the greatest value fresh grads can offer?

One thing I’ve always admired about fresh grads is if they’re enthusiastic and can learn very quickly. It’s also a bonus point if they’re fearless and not afraid to try new things.

In regard to salary negotiation, it’s still market rate. You need to figure out what is the market rate for people with zero experience entering the industry. Then you go on from there.

This is a unique situation school hasn’t prepared us for. Many jobseekers have what it takes to strive in their respective field, but aren’t being given the chance to showcase what they are capable of.

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Make use of these job search and salary negotiation tips to significantly increase your chances.

Check out:** **Management Consulting: Fresh Graduate Salaries in Singapore (2020)

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