The coronavirus (COVID-19) is affecting nearly every aspect of the economy. Many experts agree that the world is headed for a recession.
With much of the world effectively “closed for business,” organizations have been making drastic cuts to stay afloat. According to the U.S. Labor Department, 16 million Americans have lost their jobs and been suddenly plunged into an uncertain job market. What’s worse: most of them are unprepared.
We can’t, obviously, predict when this virus will subside and the job market will steady itself, but we can choose to adequately equip ourselves with information to gain job stability.
The Following tips will help in conducting a job search during uncertain times, to gain the confidence and clarity to move forward in your career.
Apply For Your Old Job
If you’ve recently been laid off or furloughed, your employer may have hinted the layoff was temporary. If not, you can reach out and ask about the likelihood you’ll be asked back once business returns to normal. If they’re unsure, it’s reasonable to ask for updates as more information becomes available.
If there’s a chance they want you back, and you like what you were doing, you should make “applying” for your old job task number one. To ensure you remain top-of-mind in the interim, make an email pitch to your employer about the skills and traits you brought to your role that make you indispensable.
Conduct A Detailed Self-Assessment
Are you currently in the right role for your personality, values, interests and skills? Use online career resources such as personality tests and career quizzes to carefully consider yourself and what roles best suit you. The results are often surprising and might suggest new opportunities for you to explore.
Invest In Your Online Profile
This could be a great opportunity to set aside some time to work on your online profile. Update your LinkedIn profile in particular, include all current work experience, skills, research interests and add to your connections.
Get Social
Share and comment on articles and research papers, join relevant discussion groups and take an active role, create your own content and invite others to participate.
Reach Out To People
Remember, you’re not the only one who might have a little more ‘spare time’ just now. This could be the perfect time to connect with others in your career area, make connections with others in your field, or the field you’re interested in entering.
If you’ve not been in the job market for a while, it is likely your CV will now need an overhaul. Update it to reflect your latest experience and any new qualifications you may have obtained. There are many options for a professional to give you advice on your CV and job search tips.
Set Aside Time Each Day For Job Hunting
It can be hard to keep the momentum going when you are looking for a new role. Set aside a specific time slot each day to focus on looking through job sites or networking and try to stick to it.
Update Your Skills
If you have more time on your hands, try to use it for something productive. Take an online course and add to your skills and experience. There are a huge number of opportunities for home learning, many of which are accredited by universities worldwide. You can add a new set of transferable skills to your profile in areas as diverse as public speaking to social media to report writing. Show employers you can use a crisis and turn it into an opportunity.
Prepare To Interview Virtually, And Start Work As A Remote Employee
While we’re all social distancing, virtual interviewing will be our new normal, so be prepared. Dress appropriately, as though you’re heading into the company’s office, control your environment and find a place that’s quiet, clutter-free and well-lit. Stay ahead of the curve by downloading video platforms like Zoom to ensure your interview goes over smoothly.
Be Patient With Slower Processes
Try to be patient with yourself and employers. This is a tough time for us all and companies are experiencing challenges undergoing so much change in a short time. Recognize that processes will go slower than usual, given that companies are trying to adapt to our new normal.