Sector 23: The Sector Nobody Knows About
Jo Rawcliffe
Working with executives to thrive not strive within their job search, and businesses to thrive in hiring, retaining and transition markets of today and tomorrow. Co-Founder & Director | Morphosis Partners
The Job Searching Sector
Did you know there are 22 working sectors and 180 sub-sectors out there in the working world?
& that skills are transferrable across many of them, offering the element of new blood to industries seeking to problem solve and invigorate.
But actually, there is the 23rd sector, which is yet to be acknowledged.
Sector 23 is the Job Searching Sector.
It's the sector where; behaviours, smart tactics, relationships, directional networking, confidence, resilience AND proactivity play key roles in mobilising within the vast territory this sector offers. Transforming not just performing.
Questions you may ask about Sector 23 are;
- Is it where recruiters ‘do the do’ and you wait for them to open the doors and leave the rest to you?
- Is it where the network you know from your career to date lifts a helping hand and provides the ‘doors of least resistance for you?
- Is it where a CV is ‘make or break’?
- Is it where career management firms have direct access and influence?
- Is it where career coaches offer you ‘safe harbour’?
- Is it where outplacement firms hold court?
- Is it where you get results on time, and under budget?
- Is it ‘what’ you know, and from that knowing, happily risk the livelihoods of your loved ones, you?
- Is it the unadvertised market?
- Is it the advertised market in disguise?
- Is it governed by HR?
- Is it pandemic related?
The answer to the above is...no.
Sector 23 is in fact very simple, it represents the job market/s today...not the 1980's version. You may have spent your career in one sector or many, and therefore acknowledge that 22 sectors do exist. But what most have not 'had to' do is acknowledge the existence of a 23rd sector until now.
As the digitalised iteration of the job market, Sector 23 has provided companies far more control over hiring than they’ve ever had through:-
A vast number of candidates and choice they could never actually 'see' or access before.
Taking head-hunters in-house to create managed attraction teams, reducing the costs and risk from procurement processes. Plus, running PSL's as 'window shopping exercises' with legally no obligation to buy.
Sector 23 is technology’s answer to moving forward and keeping current. The one sector every professional seeking to lessen gaps between roles/assignments have some control, avoid frustration and lowering confidence levels, should understand, accept, and be on alert for Sector 23’s next ‘top of the range model’ coming out.
We all keep up with technology. Our car, laptop, phone, gadgets, toys, shopping, our health – it’s endless! So, why when finding ourselves in Sector 23 contrary to our behaviours elsewhere, do we not sanction new learning and ‘adapting to technology’ as needed? Specifically, in the world of hiring. Why do so many hang on to the old ways of job searching?
This sector does not respond to the comfort of the old ways. If you are struggling with a search, that struggle will not be because there are no opportunities out there, that the market is quiet, nor that you are not as good as your competition. It will simply be that you don't understand the job market, it's a seismic shift, and hence are simply performing, and not transforming in alignment.
What does common sense and independent thinking tell you?
Experienced City Recruiter
3yI like this direct - even blunt - thought provoking and insightful piece, Jo. Job searching behaviours need to change so radically from the old ways and there are some tough messages to get across to the job-seekers. Who in turn need to toughen up and be ruthlessly self-critical, in a constructive and purposeful way. There is no room for "fluff" or for self-delusion. And none of it is easy, but it can be done, as you prove time and time again.