How the General Election Stopped You from Getting a Job

Introduction

This article talks about how political uncertainty can affect your job prospects, but more importantly, how you can rise above it.

Imagine this for a second: You’ve been searching for your next big career move. You’ve spent weeks perfecting your CV, attending interviews, and envisioning your future. But suddenly, everything comes to a standstill. The momentum stops, and it feels like the doors that were once opening are now locked tight. What happened? A General Election. Yes, an election—a political event that most of us never consider could hold up our careers.

This is exactly what happened to me this summer.

Let’s dive deeper into what happens during this period and how you can equip yourself for it.

1. The Slowdown in Hiring

Thousands of people experience a sudden halt in job opportunities, just like many of us have. Organizations hesitate to hire, unsure of how political shifts will affect their budgets and plans. But of course, they are advised by senior civil servants, recruiters, and government officials to slow down the hiring. It’s like watching everything you’ve been working towards freeze in front of you, unable to move forward.

I’ve spoken to so many professionals—consultants, contractors, even senior leaders—who’ve felt this frustration firsthand. Months go by as businesses wait for stability, leaving hopeful candidates in a state of limbo. But what if I told you that instead of waiting, this could be your chance to unlock something even bigger for yourself?

2. The Role of the Government Contracts

The election doesn’t just stop hiring in the private sector; government contracts, which are often a lifeline for consultants and contractors, also feel the impact. These delays create a ripple effect across the industry discombobulating incomes and earning potentials. Public sector recruiters face uncertainty, leaving opportunities scarce.

It’s easy to feel disheartened when you’re caught in this storm. I’ve seen skilled professionals lose hope. But here’s the truth: this storm doesn’t have to destroy you. It can be the moment you decide to steer your own ship.

3. Strategies to Mitigate Impact

Rather than waiting for the uncertainty to pass, this is the time to be proactive. Here’s what you can do right now:

• Network strategically: Reach out to your contacts from previous work and see what is happening in their arena; do not be surprised by what they may know. Ask them about updates on work, and if there are any opportunities. Build new relationships with recruiters, hiring managers, and other contractors to be in the know of what is hot in the market. And of course keep your professional profile visible, more specifically your CV, portfolio, website, and LinkedIn.
• Build new skills: There may be opportunities to take an online course or earn a certification that will make you stand out when the market recovers. Vocational qualifications can be pricey stemming from £500 – £5000 but if you do have the funds and you’re willing to take the “risk”, and strategically invest in yourself, it may accelerate your career.
• Stay informed: Keep up with political developments and how they might affect your industry. It’s always a good thing to listen to things like the Spring or Autumn budgets, the Prime Minister’s P&Qs, and other things that give you an idea of the economy, markets, and fiscal policies.

Remember: It’s not just about surviving—it’s about making sure you’re thriving when the opportunity strikes.

4. Post-Election Recovery

Once the dust of the election settles, the job market starts to rebound. Employers will be eager to fill roles, and the competition will be fierce. But because you’ve invested in yourself during the quiet period, you’ll already be ahead of the game.

I’ll give you a personal example. The elections concluded with Keir Starmer being elected as Prime Minister on Friday, 05th July 2024. On the following Monday, I received 4 calls from recruiters, and a further 3 that week. None of them transpired but it was a further 3 weeks later when I was able to secure a consulting contract which took some time to line up i.e. proposals to write, contract rate negotiations, etc.

Why did this work? Because I focused on making sure I articulated my competence with confidence. How? During the summer I keenly wanted to extrapolate my value. I wanted to demonstrate that I had either:

• Made money for the organizations I’ve worked for
• Made them more efficient or cost-effective
• Or helped them realize organization or change programme benefits

Through applying to various marketplaces I came up with the The PAR Model ®. Here it is broken down:

• Problem: What was the strategic problem I was trying to solve?
• Action: How did I contribute to solving this problem (strategically/operationally/programmatically)?
• Results: What outcomes and benefits were realized from my contribution?

So if you are ever wondering how to determine your value from the marketplace, remember to stay on PAR.

Remember: This is your moment to shine. Be ready to act quickly and decisively when hiring picks up again.

5. Long-Term Career Planning

If there’s one key takeaway from all of this, it’s that your career shouldn’t be tied to the uncertainties of political or economic shifts. These things will always happen every 4-5, or in lieu of a political emergency. How ready are you once they do happen? The most resilient professionals are those who have developed a broad range of skills, can articulate their value, and can adapt to change.

It starts with acknowledging your value through the skills and experience you have developed and finding ways to articulate it to the marketplace (using ChatGPT is not enough, it can give your brainstorming ideas and structure but it threatens to sound inauthentic).

Stay Informed!

Keep a close eye on political developments and understand how they may impact your industry. Use economic forecasts to make strategic career decisions as aforementioned, and lean on expert insights to stay ahead. By staying informed, you’ll be in a stronger position to anticipate changes and make proactive moves in your career. But don’t let these things scare you, as I said before, things are going to happen.

If our government is more liberal or socialist by nature capitalize on the opportunities available i.e. the areas where they are investing capital into, or training and development needs for permanent members of staff. If our government is more conservative, focus more on consultative opportunities to help scale a programme of work.

Key Takeaways

• Political uncertainty can slow down job opportunities, but it doesn’t have to slow down your growth behind the scenes.
• Networking, visibility, and skill development are key to staying ahead during uncertain times. As my brother-in-law and sister once said to me “Closed mouths don’t get fed”
• The post-election period offers a prime window of opportunity—be prepared to seize it.
• Build a career that is adaptable and not reliant on economic or political stability.
• Stay informed and use this knowledge to make smarter career moves.

Conclusion: Your Next Step

We all face moments where the world seems to slow down, where everything feels out of our control. But here’s the truth—your career doesn’t have to be one of them. Elections come and go, but your ability to adapt, articulate your value, and grow is what will set you apart.

This is your time. Don’t wait for things to happen; make them happen. Invest in yourself now—build those connections, sharpen your skills, and be ready to rise when the market picks up again.

And when you do, you won’t just be another candidate in the crowd. You’ll be the one they can’t wait to hire.

Are you ready to invest in your future?

Book a call with me today, and let’s map out a plan to ensure your career thrives, no matter what the political landscape looks like.

If you want, I can help you in the following 3 ways: 

• The Life Navigation System: A comprehensive guide on how to manage your life, helping you set goals, set routines and journal like a boss! Comes with a complete walkthrough video and Notion template!  
• Secure the Job: The step-by-step course that unveils systems, strategies and success when it comes to progressing your job and applying for new roles  
• The Independent Consultant UK: A guide to becoming a contractor in the UK. This is a step-by-step walkthrough of my experiences, hosting exclusive information to help you transition into the space of contracting.  
• Book a call: Let’s have a chat to focus on your life areas and where you can have the biggest impact. If it makes sense, we can progress towards procuring coaching or mentoring.