“Tech is the new oil” has been a popular catchphrase for the technology scene in Africa in recent times now. Between the funding being pumped into African startups by venture capital firms and the perks that come with working in the industry, there has been a huge influx of talents entering the scene.
Despite the prior influx of funding and notoriety amassed by technology startups, 2022 has seen a relative dwindle in VC funding compared to the preceding year. A direct impact of this is that most start-ups have begun to lay off a significant number of their staff for several reasons. Some start-ups have cited a lack of funds to continue to pay salaries, while others have stated that the roles that were laid off had become redundant.
Whatever the case might be, it is apparent that as a tech talent, job security is no longer guaranteed by simply securing employment at a start-up.
What talents should learn from these lay-offs
Consistent self-development should be a way of life
I know you have gotten a data analysis certification from DataCamp that cost hundreds of dollars. You might have even bragged to your friends that you are now a bonafide tech bro and have even added the title to your Twitter bio already, but you should know that you can’t rest yet. The technology space is innovative and dynamic and as such, as a tech talent, you also need to be dynamic. You must constantly monitor your career niche for any improvements and level up your knowledge accordingly. How else are you going to make a case for yourself when it comes down to it?
Networking is the new passcode
Considering that the tech scene in Africa is still relatively new even though it is growing rapidly, there is no better time than now for an individual to curate a personal network of like-minded professionals and communities.
Networking has been known to be one of the oldest and surest ways to fast-track career growth as well as improve communication skills, among many other benefits. Therefore, it goes without saying that as a tech talent, networking with your peers is imperative, especially when you factor in the current layoffs in the ecosystem.
Who is in your circle will determine whether or not you’ll soak garri (briefly, I hope) when you’ve been laid off unexpectedly, or whether you’ll be able to secure an interview before that termination letter hits your mailbox.
Personal branding is crucial
Ever heard stories on Twitter and even LinkedIn of people saying they were minding their business when a recruiter slid smoothly into their DMS to poach them for a job they did not apply for? If not, then you ought to take your social media presence on the aforementioned platforms seriously. If yes, then I hope you are taking notes or even better are among the chosen few.
Whatever your response is, it cannot be negated that professionals have gotten opportunities just off the back of curating a personal brand on the internet. As a tech talent, it is typically advisable that you build your profile and interactions around your preferred career niche on platforms like Twitter & LinkedIn, to be more visible amongst the pool of talents.
Showcasing your work, highlighting your skills, and interacting with content along your tech track might be the singular denominator that will make you stand out in a sea of candidates.
Laying off staff has increasingly become quite a popular trend among start-ups in the last quarter and this behavior can be a source of anxiety to talents working in the ecosystem. As a professional, a way to protect one’s self from the injurious slash of your employer’s metaphorical job-cutting axe is to find ways to add value to yourself in myriad ways.
Image Credit: Dice Insights
