How To Predict Layoffs & Access The Hidden Job Market

How I Predict Corporate Layoffs 

@j.t.odonnell @j.t.odonnell How I predict job layoffs. #edutok #careertiktok #layoff #recession #jobs #jobsearch #jobsearchtips #learnontiktok #careeradvice #career #joblife #worklife #linkedin #resume ♬ original sound - J.T. O'Donnell

In order to predict corporate layoffs, I have a Google alert set up that lets me know when we're going to see a big shift in the market. Now, if you've been following me for a while, you know that I've been calling this shift the Great Restructuring of 2022. What you're not seeing in the media—because all you're hearing about is that there's a labor shortage and that there are tons of jobs and companies can't fill positions—is the restructuring going on behind the scenes.

Check out my TikTok video above to see examples of the alerts I get from Google that let me know when a company might be laying off employees.

What all of these corporate layoff alerts mean is that even though 41 million people quit their jobs last year (the Great Resignation), they quit jobs nobody wants. So when you hear about a labor shortage, it's all for jobs nobody actually wants to work.

I get at least 50 DMs a day from people saying, "What am I doing wrong? I'm applying for jobs. I can't get anyone to call me back." And I have to explain to them that there's a job shortage for the kinds of jobs they want, those really good jobs, and it's only going to get more competitive.

Accessing The Hidden Job Market

It's already the most competitive job market ever. Think of how many people are applying for jobs now if 40+ million quit during the pandemic. How can you stand out if there are hundreds, sometimes thousands of job applicants for a single position?

In response to the overwhelming number of job applicants they're receiving, many companies aren't posting jobs publicly anymore. Instead, recruiters are reaching out to individuals they think are a match for the job. It's called the hidden job market.

People don't realize this is what's happening and they get frustrated and feel bad about themselves. They start asking, "What's wrong with me?" There's nothing wrong with you. You just don't know the new rules for career success. You don't understand how to do this, how to tap in, for example, to those recruiters, and how to help recruiters find you and call you about jobs. You have to know these new rules. You have to follow this information that's not public because what you're seeing out there about the economy isn't an accurate reflection of what's going to happen in the job market.

If you want to be one of those people that has a job no matter what—in an up market, in a down market—you have to know the rules for that, to pay attention to the indicators, to know how to make sure that your job is always super relevant to your company. I'm here to help you. I'm here to educate you, the job seeker. I'm your advocate.