Tips for 2017 ( 4 points to consider if you lose your job )

In 2016 Many companies started restructuring and downsizing its workforce, since I started my career as a headhunter back in 2005 I can say that 2016 was the Year of highest number of managers searching for new jobs, some good number of them were laid off unfortunately. In 2017 I anticipate continuation of the lay off wave, this may sound obvious, however, I thought of addressing some points that could help the managers on (how to think) while searching for a new job :

1-Anticipate a Salary Cut
Specially if you are in a senior manager position , my opinion salaries could drop by 20 to 30% during 2017 . So if you are between jobs you need to be flexible about your salary expectations, it is an employer market now.

2-Time needed for a good job
It varies based on seniority level , for example CFOs could take 6 months to one year ! , Finance managers around 3 months. If you are in a senior position be patient, an old saying (one month for each thousand dollars) , so if you are seeking a job with a salary of $ 8000 a month, then your search may take up to 8 months.

3-Safety margin (buffer zone)
The message here is you need to have a safety margin, focus on your savings , put this as a high priority, read the book ( All Your Worth by Amelia Warren Tyagi ) with the advice of saving at least 20% of your income, we have heard of senior people who did not have saving to cover 3 months of their expenses, and unfortunately they got laid off, and had to borrow to keep on going.

4-Flexibility
You need to think differently, be flexible to relocate to another country and to join a family business, Over two thirds of private business in Middle East is family based business, some candidates insist on joining only multinational companies, this is a great option if found but the reality is different. In Saudi Arabia over 90% of businesses are family owned, so master change management and be flexible to succeed in family based business.

Last word , keep going. و في السماء رزقكم وما توعدون