This year has truly been a curveball, and on top of everything we’ve been given to worry about, many of us are also facing the added challenge of finding work.
With COVID continuing to lead to more layoffs, it’s imperative to be prepared for a job search in the event that you find yourself in need of new work in these unprecedented times.
As a career coach, I’ve seen firsthand how stressful and frustrating job searching has become during the pandemic, so I’d like to share with you some tried and true ways to ease the burden and remain optimistic and productive while hunting to be hired.
Here are eight things you can do to ensure a successful job search during COVID-19:
1. Don’t panic.
Shifting your mind away from worldly chaos and the initial shock of needing new work is key. Adjusting to a more focused and positive mindset will enable you to get the most out of your search.
Before jumping straight into the job board hustle, try to take some time to reflect on what exactly it is you’d like to do. You may find that this is the perfect time to capitalize on a skill you acquired from previous work which could mean an exciting new career transition!
2. Perfect your resume.
It’s no secret how competitive the job market is right now. Your best bet is to have a professionally crafted resume that no recruiter or hiring manager in their right mind would overlook.
Strongly consider hiring a resume writer to provide you with a stand-out resume. The main benefits of having a professional resume writer in your corner include saving time, alleviating stress, and increasing the chances of getting called back for interviews.
3. Create a LinkedIn Profile.
Did you know that 90% of recruiters are on LinkedIn?
Use this platform to your advantage by establishing a professional presence and being responsive to recruiter interactions.
4. Prepare a list of potentials.
If you have an exact idea of what you want to do, put together a list of desired job titles to watch out for while browsing job posts.
If you’re open to a variety of roles, try organizing a list of companies that are hiring and industries currently on the rise.
5. Be open to working outside of your desired geographic location.
You never know. The next opportunity with your name on it could be 1 or 100 miles outside of that 25-mile radius you have checked on Indeed.
Limit your limitations and see what else might be out there for you.
6. Establish weekly goals.
Make a plan that outlines weekly targets for:
How many jobs to apply to
How many people to network with
Types of jobs and positions to go after
7. NETWORK! NETWORK! NETWORK!
It is vital to network in today’s employment climate.
Something to think about is the fact that even the best of resumes can be disregarded by automated screening systems before a human even gets the chance to have a look. When you connect with other professionals and engage with your network, you open yourself up to being personally recommended - or even better - being directly introduced to the hiring manager.
Just keep in mind that your next job may very well be a result of who you know.
8. Be accountable and consistent.
Stick to your plan and don’t get discouraged. If you happen to experience any setbacks, simply regroup, self-assess for improvements to be made, and keep at it!
Want more job search or resume guidance? Check out my LinkedIn profile for more helpful tips, or visit HuntingtoHired.com to schedule your personalized job search or career coaching consultation.
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