During this Covid-19 pandemic, many industries have been adversely affected, including travel, aviation, hotel, and retail. Moreover, we understand your struggle during such time, if you were actively seeking a job.
The job search process is always challenging. If you add in a global pandemic, these challenges can become even more challenging, as well as more stressful. Find your next opportunity using these 5 tips, even during COVID-19.
Since the Coronavirus pandemic began, you are not alone in thinking about this. During times of chaos, fear, and uncertainty, it is natural to wonder if it is a good idea to put your job search on hold or to continue looking.
The time is not right to pause the breaks.
Despite a slowdown in hiring, companies are still hiring. Certainly, not all companies are hiring. There are still a lot of companies looking for great talent to solve problems and alleviate frustrations.
However, less hiring means more competition when seeking a job. It's even more crucial to know how to stand out and show up as the person employers are looking for now in order to beat your competition and land the job.
These five tips will help you find a new job and navigate your search during the Coronavirus pandemic:
Change your perspective
The moment you allow fear to make you feel like there are no opportunities out there for you, then you will not find any. You won't be able to find a new job if you focus on all the reasons why it's no longer possible for you to get a new job. It's time to change your mentality. It's okay to feel optimistic, even if it feels strange, because thinking positively will keep you focused on finding the right opportunities, rather than settling for nothing because you convinced yourself it's impossible to get a new job at the moment.
It is a waste of time to play with numbers
It might seem like the best time to send your resume to every job opening you see online, but it isn't. Applying to too many jobs isn't the right move. You need to make sure that the applications you are sending out reflect the best version of you. Quality must take precedence over quantity.
Since only a handful of jobs are truly great matches, even when job openings are popping up left and right. There are fewer opportunities that match your skills, values, and career goals in a slow job market. Consider spending more time crafting quality applications so that you stand out for the right jobs instead of applying to as many as you can in one day.
Demonstrate your ability to solve problems
A company posts a job because it needs to solve a problem. There might have been a recent departure, and they need to fill the position as soon as possible. A new product might be causing them problems, and they need a new strategy. It may be that a particular team is overworked and they need additional help to complete their work faster. There are many possibilities.
To stand out in a slow job market, it's important to show employers that you can help ease their frustrations and overcome their challenges. By consistently demonstrating that you have the experience and expertise necessary for the role at every step of the hiring process, you will be perceived by companies as a problem-solver. Instead of just telling them, show them with examples that are clear and specific.
Identify alternative methods of networking
Even though we all practice social distancing, we shouldn't prevent ourselves from reaching out to others in the industry and building relationships with them. We will certainly do things differently when it comes to networking, however. A virtual chat or a phone call can be used instead of meeting for coffee, but this can still be accomplished. It may seem strange or inappropriate to network at this time, but consider how many people you know are bored at home. Imagine how happy and productive you would feel if someone reached out to you with a thoughtful note asking to speak over the phone.
It's a perfect opportunity to establish new genuine connections and revive old ones during this downtime at home. You will then have a better chance of receiving news about new positions sooner.
Keep an open mind and be persistent
In the same way, networking and interviewing will look different during this period. In person interviews will be on hold and recruiters and hiring managers will have to interview candidates through other means. With offices closed and employees working from home, in-person interviews will be on hold. The increase will be in video interviews and telephone interviews. You shouldn't be intimidated by more phone or video interviews, remain confident and show your value.
It is likely that hiring processes will be slower as employers figure out how to interview during this period, since there is so much unknown. It is advised that job seekers stay patient, but do not feel averse to following up. Don't be that person who takes days to respond after hearing back in order to avoid appearing too available. You need to demonstrate that you're eager and ready for the next step. If you are adaptable and persistent, you will demonstrate to your future employer that you are serious about the role and can handle changes in an uncertain environment.
It's better to have hope than fear, even though we're not sure how the next few months will turn out. As long as you use the gift of time we have all been given and follow these steps, you will emerge from this with a renewed sense of clarity, confidence, and direction in your professional life.
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