The world of work is constantly evolving, and professionals and employees must adapt and position themselves effectively to thrive in the era of “quiet hiring”. The concept of quiet hiring started in 2018, at a time when “quiet quitting” was all the rage.
Quiet quitting was the attitude of employees who no longer made an effort and only performed the bare minimum required of them. Quiet hiring, on the other hand, refers to a trend where employers are not actively seeking new employees but instead focusing on internal promotions or hiring existing employees for other roles within the company, to avoid having to take on new hires. Companies also hire short-term for specific project-based roles.
“This can prove to be a challenging time for professionals looking for new career opportunities, as businesses aren’t opening positions up to people from outside of the company,” says a spokesperson for Indexsy, a digital marketing firm specializing in SEO. “In fact, one poll found 80% of workers have been quiet-hired, with half of those saying their new position didn’t align with their skillset.”
The debate is still ongoing over whether quiet hiring is a positive or negative thing for employees. In one survey, 63% of employees viewed quiet hiring as an opportunity, allowing them to try out a new role and gain new skills.
With this in mind, Indexsy here provides a list of ways that employees can better position themselves to be quiet-hired and take the necessary steps to be considered for another position internally in their workplace.
These tips will help employees stay visible and competitive, and improve their skills and career growth.
- Upskill in Critical Areas
Employers who are quiet hiring are looking for multi-skilled professionals who can perform a variety of tasks. Employees can make themselves more noticeable by learning new skills through training programs, obtaining certifications, or even pursuing a higher education degree.
Indexsy adds, “By continuously developing their skills, professionals can position themselves as vital assets to their organization and make themselves stand out to potential employers.”
- Build A Robust Internal Network
Professionals can tap into their internal network to discover new opportunities. This could include reaching out to colleagues or managers for potential project-based roles or seeking referrals for new job opportunities.
“Building strong relationships within the organization can both help employees stay visible while also creating new career opportunities from within,” adds Indexsy.
- Showcase Versatility
With 50% of quiet-hired employees finding themselves in roles that don’t match their original skill set, adaptability has become integral to quiet hiring. Employers are increasingly seeking professionals who can quickly adjust to new responsibilities and environments.
“Employees should showcase their versatility by highlighting their diverse skill set, experience in different roles, and ability to learn new things quickly,” says Indexsy. “This will make them more attractive to employers in a quiet hiring era, where they may need to take on new responsibilities and adapt to changing demands.”
- Seek Project-Based Roles
Employers may opt for project-based roles during a quiet hiring era rather than hiring full-time employees. Employees who are open to taking on such roles can take advantage of valuable learning opportunities and exposure to new industries and technologies, and they can also keep themselves visible and indispensable to the organization.
Taking on added responsibility without the promise of more pay may sound like a risk. But there are many benefits for those who are up to the challenge.
What’s in it for employees?
Indexsy lists several benefits for employees who embrace the quiet hiring trend:
- Professionals can develop a diverse and in-demand skill set, making them more marketable and valuable in the job market
- Taking on project-based roles and diversifying one’s skills can lead to career growth and advancement opportunities within the organization
- Project-based roles may provide opportunities for professionals to take on leadership positions, leading to recognition and career advancement
- By actively seeking project-based roles and staying visible within the organization, professionals are more indispensable to their current employer
A spokesperson for Indexsy commented:
“To position oneself effectively in a quiet hiring era, professionals should focus on continuously upskilling, building a strong internal network, showcasing their versatility, and embracing project-based roles to stay visible and indispensable. Quiet hiring is here to stay and benefits both organizations and employees in various ways.
“For organizations, it allows them to focus on promoting and developing their current employees, saving time and resources on external hiring processes. It also provides opportunities for employees to grow and take on new challenges within the organization. For employees, it allows them to showcase their skills and abilities, develop new ones, and potentially advance their career without having to look for opportunities elsewhere.”