Five less mentioned aspects of navigating tough job market 🦬 for Scrum Masters (or any other role)
The job market right now is in a bad place. Companies are firing at an increased rate, and new people looking for work appear in my LinkedIn feed daily. That’s the same for change agents (Scrum Masters, Agile Coaches etc.) as any other role. Juniors, mids or seniors. We are all in this together.
Below I share my musings on working through the adversities without mentioning the obvious (where to search, how to build a CV etc.). You might find it especially useful if you were recently made redundant or your contract ended and you don’t have a new one.
#1 Utilize competencies not titles
Search for roles utilising what you can do and what skills you have instead of targeting the same job title. For Scrum Masters, this can be an Agile Project Manager, Delivery Manager or other.
The sky is not the limit, yet this can open you to other possibilities you didn’t think of. Ask a friend recruiter or hiring manager you trust in what different roles they think you would be a good enough fit.
Don’t worry about swaying off the beaten track. You can learn something new or show others that things can be done in another way. Focus on the potential impact you can make.
#2 Learn what the market values now
Usually, in a crisis market emphasises value a role delivers even more (doh!). Learn what it values now, how job specs changed, what interview questions people ask, and what’s hidden in the fuzzy feedback you get (if any).
What I noticed is valued now is (as in any crisis, I guess):
Execution - delivering value where value is quantifiable in some way.
Flexibility - being open to taking a bit more or different responsibility than a typical Scrum Master or an Agile Coach. It’s worth being curious here, understand and don’t judge. In the end, you can always try to show that you can do things differently while, at the same time, meeting their expectations.
Increasing certainty - this should be read as increased trust you can navigate uncertain waters with your skills.
SAFe certification (let that sink in).
#3 Double-down on investing in yourself
Invest in a workshop you were postponing and think the knowledge will be helpful now or soon. You don’t need to always pay for certified training.
Read a book, implement it in your life, and experiment on a project you wanted to do for a long time. I invested in LeSS training, visualising my concepts in Figma (see drawings in this post) and creating new products (more to come).
#4 Check-in with yourself frequently
Create a habit of checking in with your thoughts, feelings and body. Instead of endlessly cruising your thoughts, which you might already have plenty of.
It’s okay to be stressed, especially if you were made redundant recently. This situation might (and probably will) trigger some uncomfortable emotions. Don’t numb them. Sit with them and experience yet not dwell.
Take things one day at a time. This situation will last, and it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Work through accepting that it is what it is, however hard that may be. Reach out to friends or a professional for support when needed. It’s not a sign of weakness but rather taking ownership for your life.
#5 Focus where you have influence
You have no influence over how people will see you or if you get the job. Let it go and focus on where you can put in work that can make a difference.
You directly impact what you do the whole day, what habits you build and what thought patterns you nourish. Indirectly you can use your CV, LinkedIn, blog or other means to influence decision-makers that you are the person for the job. It works in the long run, though.
If you are stressing out about losing your job, focus on what you need to secure on your side (whether financial backing or a new set of competencies) to feel less fearful. Also think about exactly what you will do day one if you are suddenly out on the job market. This will mitigate the risk of spiralling in despair so you can focus more on doing.
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🎈Share this post if you think it can help others take care of themselves better in adverse job market conditions.