Posted by Jonathan Kidder on March 21, 2023March 21, 2023

The IT tech recruiting industry is currently facing a major downturn, with recent news of layoffs at Amazon and Meta. As a result, recruiters who are actively seeking new talent sourcing or recruiting roles may want to consider pivoting outside of the tech industry. In this post, I will highlight alternative industries that recruiters can explore until the market recovers.

Where to start:

Transitioning from IT recruiting to another recruiting industry can be challenging, but there are several steps you can take to make the switch successfully:

Identify transferable skills: Think about the skills you have gained from IT recruiting that can be applied to other industries. For example, if you have strong communication and negotiation skills, these are valuable in any recruiting role.

Research the industry: Start by researching the industry you want to transition to. Learn about the current trends, the main players in the field, and the key skills required for success. This will help you understand what you need to do to position yourself as a strong candidate.

Network: Attend networking events, conferences, and industry meetups to connect with people in the industry you want to transition to. Building relationships with people already working in the industry can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to job opportunities.

Gain industry-specific knowledge: Invest time in learning about the industry-specific jargon, tools, and technology used in the industry you want to transition to. This will make you a more competitive candidate and help you understand the nuances of the industry.

Be flexible: Be open to starting in a junior role or taking on contract work to gain experience in the new industry. This will allow you to build up your knowledge and skillset while proving yourself to potential employers.

By following these steps, you can successfully pivot from IT recruiting into a different recruiting industry. Remember that it may take time and effort, but with persistence and a positive attitude, you can make the transition successfully.

Recruiting industries to explore:

There are several industries outside of IT that are growing and may offer opportunities for recruiters. Here are a few examples:

Healthcare/Insurance The healthcare industry is projected to continue growing as the global population ages and demand for healthcare services increases. Recruiters may find opportunities in recruiting healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, and allied health workers.

Renewable Energy: The shift towards renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power is expected to continue as countries and companies seek to reduce their carbon footprint. Recruiters may find opportunities in recruiting professionals in this field such as engineers, project managers, and technical specialists.

Education: With increasing emphasis on the importance of education and lifelong learning, the education industry is expected to grow. Recruiters may find opportunities in recruiting education professionals such as teachers, administrators, and instructional designers.

Construction: The construction industry is projected to continue growing as infrastructure needs increase and new construction projects are launched. Recruiters may find opportunities in recruiting construction professionals such as architects, engineers, project managers, and skilled tradespeople.

Manufacturing: is a good area to recruit in, depending on the specific industry and type of manufacturing involved. Some manufacturing industries are currently experiencing growth and may offer good opportunities for recruiters. For example:

Aerospace and Defense: The aerospace and defense industry is expected to grow due to increased demand for air travel and national security concerns. Recruiters may find opportunities in recruiting professionals in this field such as engineers, project managers, and technical specialists.

Medical Devices: The medical device manufacturing industry is projected to continue growing due to an aging population and increasing demand for medical equipment. Recruiters may find opportunities in recruiting professionals such as engineers, technicians, and quality control specialists.

Food and Beverage: The food and beverage manufacturing industry is projected to continue growing due to increasing demand for packaged and processed foods. Recruiters may find opportunities in recruiting professionals such as production supervisors, quality assurance specialists, and logistics managers.

Automotive: The automotive manufacturing industry is projected to continue growing as demand for electric and autonomous vehicles increases. Recruiters may find opportunities in recruiting professionals such as engineers, designers, and supply chain specialists.

Industrial Equipment: The manufacturing of industrial equipment is projected to continue growing due to the need for machinery and equipment in a variety of industries. Recruiters may find opportunities in recruiting professionals such as engineers, sales representatives, and customer support specialists.

To identify industries that are in growth phases and may offer opportunities for recruiters, it’s important to research fields, reach out to your network, and stay up-to-date on industry trends. This can be done by using online resources, attending industry events, and considering emerging industries. By leveraging transferable skills and exploring alternative industries, recruiters can expand their job opportunities and find success in a changing job market.

Websites to explore industries:

There are numerous websites available to explore specific industries, depending on your interests. Below is a list of websites for various industries that can provide you with valuable insights, trends, and news:

Finance:

Investopedia (https://www.investopedia.com/)

Seeking Alpha (https://seekingalpha.com/)

Yahoo Finance (https://finance.yahoo.com/)

Healthcare:

FierceHealthcare (https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/)

Modern Healthcare (https://www.modernhealthcare.com/)

Healthcare Dive (https://www.healthcaredive.com/)

Energy:

Oilprice.com (https://oilprice.com/)

Energy.gov (https://www.energy.gov/)

Greentech Media (https://www.greentechmedia.com/)

Manufacturing:

IndustryWeek (https://www.industryweek.com/)

Manufacturing.net (https://www.manufacturing.net/)

The Manufacturer (https://www.themanufacturer.com/)

Retail and E-commerce:

Retail Dive (https://www.retaildive.com/)

eMarketer (https://www.emarketer.com/)

Internet Retailer (https://www.digitalcommerce360.com/)

Resources:

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is a valuable resource for researching hiring trends in the United States. BLS provides data on a wide range of industries and occupations, including employment projections, job openings, and wage data.

Search your states layoffs tracker report. This is a great way to see which industries are currently experiencing future layoffs (60 days in advance) for example: link

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Jonathan Kidder

With more than 12 years of recruitment experience, Jonathan has helped startups and small businesses find the talent they need. He runs the blog WizardSourcer, which explores the latest trends in talent sourcing, provides reviews of recruitment tools, and features interviews with prominent figures in the industry.