The coronavirus pandemic has also not only had a significant impact on the global economy but also your job search. It has caused stock market volatility and impacted various industries. If you have a current job, most likely you’re doing it from your home. Some small businesses have been forced to close temporarily, whereas large businesses have been affected by the strain of losing business and a disrupted supply chain.
Some companies have always responded to the health crisis with layoffs, furloughs, cutting hours and overtime pay, and implementing hiring freezes. Other companies are also actively hiring and posting new jobs daily. So, right now, there's a lot of uncertainty about what the national and global impact will be on hiring, but there are ways you can stay positive and proactive about job searching during this tumultuous time.
Engage your network
People understand that this is a difficult time and they want to help however they can. Let your friends and family know that you're job searching and tell them about the types of jobs you're looking for and your target companies so they’ll be on the lookout for openings. They'll notify you if they hear of anything. Ask them if they would be willing to do an email intro to people who work at the company or, even better, the hiring manager. Those email intros, or having people in your network send your resume and cover letter on your behalf, can get your application to the top of the pile even if human resources isn’t also done sorting through the applications that come in through the ATS.
Practice phone and video job interviews
Now that many people are always working remotely, job interviews are being done by phone and video instead of IRL. It can always be more challenging to have a phone interview because it is harder to interpret someone’s reaction and have a conversation that flows naturally. It can also be trickier to have a video interview because it can feel awkward to be on camera. You’ll stand out if you learn the ins-and-outs of phone and video job interviews.
Take on a temp or freelance gig
If you don’t have a job currently, apply to temp and freelance work to pay the bills. It could also lead to a full-time job when you impress your co-workers. It's also a great opportunity to gain some in-demand skills. If you're currently working from home, remember that employers are looking for people who are self-disciplined enough to work from home, have the excellent written and verbal communication skills necessary to communicate with colleagues and clients remotely, and are organized and efficient.
Show off your transferrable skills
There's so much competition for jobs, so it’s important to up your game right now. First, prioritize jobs that have been posted most recently because that's a sign that the company has a current role that needs to be filled.
Customize your application for each job
Always spend more time on each cover letter and resume so your job application gets seen. It also takes more time to modify them for each job application but it's necessary. When you apply to a job online, your application often goes into an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), software that reviews your resume to determine how well you’d fit the requirements of the job posting.
Stay up to date
With so much uncertainty in the world right now, it can be overwhelming to try to conduct a job search. Don't get discouraged. Need help staying focused? Join Job Guardian today and start getting weekly email updates with the latest expert advice on how to find a job, write a resume, and prep for an interview. You can also upload your resume so recruiters and hiring managers can find you and get in touch as soon as a new position gets posted. Think of this as the first step in finding the right fit.
So, Job Guardians always help you find the best jobs for you
