Searching for a new career in the midst of a recession
In the thick of a global pandemic, with headlines shouting recession and job boards looking increasingly quiet - what does it really look like to search for a senior-level role?
At Invisible Partners, we don’t just advocate for hiring - we advocate for talent. In this article, we shine a light on two exceptional leaders navigating their job search through COVID-19: Stacey Mark and Fil Zonic.
Alongside their experiences is the game-changing perspective of Kirstin Schneider - a seasoned People & Culture executive turned entrepreneur - who shares insider insight on how companies are thinking (and hiring) right now.
This is the kind of honest, human-centred conversation that job seekers deserve - but rarely get to hear.
What It’s Really Like for Senior Talent in Today’s Market
“This isn’t like the GFC. It’s not like anything I’ve seen before.”
— Sarah Piper, Invisible Partners
Let’s be real: senior job seekers face a unique challenge. There are fewer roles at the top, and during an economic downturn, even fewer organisations are hiring for them.
But the biggest challenge? The disconnect between what candidates can offer, and what companies think they want.
As Fil shared, “Hiring managers are playing it safe. They want someone who’s done the exact same job in the same industry for five years straight.” But many senior leaders - like Stacey and Fil - have deliberately built careers that defy this narrow mold. And ironically, it’s those broad experiences that make them so valuable.
Staying Sane, Human, and Hirable
Searching for work during a global crisis isn’t just tough logistically - it’s emotionally taxing.
What helped Stacey and Fil?
Taking the pressure off: Don’t force every meeting to be perfect. Not every lead will land. And that’s okay.
Enjoying the process: Meet people, learn from them, follow new paths - even if you don’t know where they’ll lead.
Routine + release: Structure the job hunt in the morning. Take walks. Learn to bake bread. Take a dance class. Give yourself permission to do something not career-related.
Fil summed it up beautifully:
“Don’t beat yourself up. Wanting to lie on the couch and watch Netflix is a totally valid human response right now.”
How to Make the Job Search Work for You
💡 Have a point of view
Whether you’re in a coffee chat or a formal interview, bring ideas to the table. Kirstin calls this “overcoming thin-slicing bias” - don’t just present your resume. Show how you think.
💬 Ask for advice, not a job
Reframe your conversations. When you ask smart questions, share your thinking, and listen deeply, you’re more likely to build meaningful relationships - and that’s where opportunity flows from.
🌱 Volunteer or consult
Don’t wait for the “perfect” job ad. Many future opportunities are taking shape right now, even if they’re not on Seek yet. Get involved with projects, not-for-profits, or short-term gigs that keep your skills sharp and your confidence intact.
📢 Build your champion network
The best leads often come from second-degree connections. Keep close to your advocates - past colleagues, mentors, recruiters - people who “get” you and want to help open doors.
What Hiring Managers Are (Actually) Thinking
From the inside, Kirstin gave us an honest view:
Many businesses are still hiring, but it’s cautious and conservative.
Job ads might look “vanilla” - but the role could be so much more. Don’t let a dry PD stop you from applying.
Hiring bias isn’t always fear. Sometimes it’s decision fatigue. Executives shortcut choices based on familiarity.
To stand out, she says:
“Bring a solution. Bring your thinking. Show you understand their world - and how you can make it better.”
Confidence in a Crisis: What Keeps You Going?
Every speaker agreed: the loss of daily leadership duties can rattle your confidence.
So what helped?
Advisory Boards: Build your own group of cheerleaders, challengers, and sponsors. Different roles, same goal - keep you uplifted and accountable.
Purposeful distraction: Do things that light you up, whether or not they’re “productive.” Piano. Cooking. Gardening. You name it.
Faith in the process: “Trust yourself,” Stacey said. “Your success so far hasn’t been a fluke.”
Final Thought: This Is a Rare Window
We may never get another moment in our careers quite like this - time to reflect, reset, and reconnect.
If you’re a senior leader in career transition right now, don’t wait for the market to “go back to normal.” The future of work is taking shape now. Be part of shaping it.