The headlines are full of economic uncertainty, including market volatility, tax tariffs, hiring freezes and layoffs. You’ve also heard from your friends that they applied for many jobs over the weekend with no interviews planned.
During such challenging times, it’s natural to feel hesitant about making a career move.
But here’s the truth. Uncertainty doesn’t mean you should stop your job search. In fact, with the right mindset and strategies, this could be the perfect time to position yourself for your next opportunity.
why you shouldn’t pause your job search in 2025
If you’re thinking about a career switch in 2025, you’re not alone. Our Randstad Employer Brand Research found that 35% of talent are actively looking for a new role in Malaysia. Headlines about tariffs and hiring freezes can paint a grim picture of the job market, but many companies are still hiring, especially for flexible, high-impact roles.
That’s because economic change usually doesn’t reduce job opportunities across the board. In most cases, it also creates new demand in growing sectors. Here are just a few examples of roles set to grow in 2025 and beyond:
- Finance & accounting: Digitisation and regulatory complexity are creating a surge in demand for roles like risk management specialists and data analysts.
- Logistics: Supply chain disruptions are creating a critical need for logistics experts to optimise shipping routes and inventory management.
- Tech: Despite headlines about tech layoffs, specialised roles continue to grow, particularly in AI, cloud infrastructure, and cybersecurity.
Right now, there are a lot of opportunities still in their early stages of expansion. When awareness grows, competition tends to surge, so delaying your job search now might limit your options later.
how to conduct a successful job search during uncertain times
A job search during economic uncertainty can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack, especially if you rely on popular job boards. You could have been applying to hundreds of jobs on these job boards, but other people who are actively looking for a job are doing the same thing as you.
Being strategic about your search can help you find unique opportunities without spinning your wheels.
why lateral career moves can open new opportunities
Many people may not consider lateral moves. After all, changing employers should guarantee a salary increment and position advancement. However, lateral career moves can even be a precursor to career advances, especially if you’re moving towards opportunities that are a better match for your innate skills.
However, many skills you already have are likely valuable across a range of roles, and keeping an eye on related fields can expand your pool of opportunities.
Lateral moves offer plenty of opportunities for you to work with an employer that meets your values. For example, new employers might offer flexible work, more manageable workload, or more training opportunities to acquire more skills.
Even without a jump in job title or pay, these lateral opportunities may prove worthwhile when they align with your values.
why you should stay open to contract or part-time roles
Hiring managers looking for full-time staff often also recruit for contract or part-time roles, especially during difficult times. Even if a full-time role is your ultimate goal, staying open to contract or part-time roles now can lead to full-time positions in the future.
As Fortune magazine notes, the traditional corporate ladder has become more of a “squiggly path.” Along the way, contract work can give you valuable experience and networking opportunities that help you take your next step up. This path can also help make you more adaptable to changes, be it working with different teams or changing industries.
how to leverage your professional network
Across many industries, there’s often a “hidden job market” that relies on informal networks rather than traditional job boards where you browse and apply for jobs on. When competition is intense, hiring managers are flooded with resumes, and a network recommendation can help you stand out.
Reach out to your professional network, and ask if they know about anyone who’s looking for a talent that might suit you. If you don’t have a large network, small alumni clubs, industry events, and job fairs can give you the chance to make in-person connections.
how to stay resilient during a job search in 2025
During times of economic uncertainty, a job search is a marathon, not a sprint. Today, job seekers may be spending long periods of time getting multiple rejections or not hearing back at all.
When you’re in the middle of a long job hunt, the key to resilience is focusing on what you can control. That might include things like your approach to job searches, your mindset, and what you do daily to protect your well-being.
setting realistic job search goals
Often, you might hear well-intentioned advice about a minimum number of jobs you should apply to per day to land a job. But the number of available roles in different fields can vary a lot, and quality beats quantity in the application process.
Reviewing open roles carefully, sending out tailored applications, and preparing for interviews all take time. Setting realistic goals, like just submitting 5 applications per week, can help you maintain momentum without adding to the stress of looking for work.
why celebrating small wins matters
Even the best candidates get rejected for any number of reasons, and putting too much focus on what you’re doing wrong can overshadow what you’re doing right.
Celebrating small wins can help you highlight the progress you’ve made, even if you haven’t found a job yet. These can be things like:
- Discovery milestone: Finding a job posting that’s a perfect match for your skills.
- Networking success: Someone in your network making an introduction or recommending you.
- Interview achievement: Making it to an interview, even if you don’t get the offer.
- Skills validation: Positive feedback about your skills or portfolio.
These small victories are an important signal that you’re moving in the right direction, so take note of them when they happen. They’ll help give you a well-earned sense of achievement over time, which will also help you stay motivated in the long term.
economic shifts don’t define your value as a candidate
In the face of ongoing economic uncertainty, many candidates are asking, “should I apply for jobs now?” And these are valid questions that you should be asking yourself.
As long as you feel that you are ready for a change, the answer is yes. You could be sitting on the decision for a couple of weeks, or even months now. If it has been that long, then you should definitely start looking out.
Economic uncertainty is an inevitable part of the business cycle, and it’s still very possible to advance your career during this period. Just because companies are downsizing or restructuring, does not mean that they are not hiring for replacement roles.
What distinguishes successful job seekers in uncertain times isn't just their qualifications, but their persistence, adaptability, and willingness to embrace change. The skills you develop in a complex job search are the very qualities employers need most right now. They will help make you a more resilient professional ready for whatever the future holds.
However, that doesn’t mean you need to navigate this journey alone. Expert guidance can help you identify opportunities you might miss, tailor your approach to today's market realities, and connect with employers who value your unique skills.
where to find career support during a job search
Looking for support in your job search? Connect with a Randstad recruiter to explore flexible roles that match your skills and goals or browse our open job opportunities and apply directly.
related articles
- behavioural interview tips: a comprehensive guide on how to answer common questions
- taking a contract job while you search for the right job
- the 3 biggest career regrets of working professionals
frequently asked questions (FAQs).
-
Should I apply for jobs during uncertain times?
Yes, you should definitely still apply for jobs during uncertain times. Though it may be challenging and discouraging to search for a suitable role during an economic downturn, you should keep your options open in order to stay available for the right opportunities when they arise.
-
How do I stay resilient in a long job search?
You can stay resilient in a long job search by focusing on what is within your control, such as your job search approach, mindset and daily well-being. Set realistic goals, such as submitting only five applications per week, which can help you maintain momentum without adding to your stress.
Don’t forget to celebrate small wins to highlight the progress you have made. These can include finding a great job posting, a network connection recommending you or making it to an interview.
-
What are the benefits of contract roles in 2025?
Staying open to entering a contract role has a host of benefits that often go unnoticed. Hiring managers frequently recruit for contract, part-time roles or high demand jobs in Malaysia 2025, especially during difficult times. These roles can give you valuable experience and networking opportunities that can help you with your next career move. They can also make you more adaptable to changes, like working with different teams or changing industries.
-
How can networking help me find hidden job opportunities?
Networking can help you find hidden job opportunities because a "hidden job market" exists in many industries that relies on informal networks rather than traditional job boards. In a competitive environment, a recommendation from your network can help you stand out to hiring managers who are inundated with resumes. You can reach out to your professional network and ask if they know of anyone seeking talent. If your network is small, you can make connections in person at industry events, job fairs and alumni clubs.
-
Which industries are still hiring in 2025?
Despite layoffs and hiring freezes, many companies are still hiring, particularly for flexible, high-impact positions. Economic changes often create new demand in growing industries. Industries that are still hiring in 2025 include finance & accounting, logistics and technology. Interested in a new job? Browse our roles now.