Covid-19 has paralyzed the global economy. It has led to many big corporations filing for bankruptcy. The tourism and airline industry has taken a huge hit. As countries find ways to fight the current pandemic, many companies are moving to remote work, downsizing, and reconsidering whether they should hire new employees or not. This has made it extremely difficult for job seekers to find valuable employment. However, you should avoid thinking that companies are not hiring. Even if economists are predicting that a recession is upon us, it does not mean that you should not apply for a job. Besides, how else would you pay the bills? Even if it seems like companies are not hiring today, they will try to hire new employees in one way or another. Only those people will succeed that continue to build relationships and share ideas with companies.
If you have started your job search during Covid-19 and are looking for a way to boost your chances of finding a job, this post is just for you. It looks at the top 6 tips for a job search during the current pandemic. As you navigate in a post-coronavirus world, these tips will prove useful.
- Think about Just How Urgent the Search Is
For those of you who can afford to put a job search on hold, it might be best to simply wait a bit longer because it can be tough finding a hiring manager who wants to interview you. On the other hand, if you are presently employed, you should focus on making your job more palatable. But if you are unemployed, your next job might not be the ideal job. It could be simply a short-term job. As many industries continue to be hit by the pandemic, there are still some industries that are hiring. Look for industries that have not been affected or are still managing to keep up. All you need right now is a job that helps pay the rent.
- Start Networking Online
If you are not doing it already, you need to start networking online. There is no better to network online than the present. Since most networking events have been cancelled, it is about time that you used technology to your advantage. Develop a new networking strategy that focuses on leveraging technology to help you meet like-minded professionals. There are many virtual events that are taking place and you should start attending as many of the events as possible to boost the viability of your job search. Join professional groups on LinkedIn and Facebook. Both of these platforms provide a variety of options for just about every profession. For example, anyone searching for a marketing job can join the Global Marketing and Communications Professionals group on LinkedIn. It is important that you join in on the conversation and comment. Your goal should be to make yourself visible so that others can notice you. Make sure to have a professional conversation with others on topics that help you demonstrate your skills. To improve your online networking skills, you can start by chatting with a friend and having a virtual informational interview with them. Learn about the camera angle and ensure that your entire face is visible.
- Keep in Touch
Once you have had a great interview and you sense a job offer on the horizon, you should keep in touch with the hiring manager. It is especially important when the company is operating remotely. All you need to do is check up with the manager by sending a simple email. Acknowledge that the situation must be difficult and that managing people remotely is not easy. As long as you are able to convey a thoughtful attitude, the check up will work in your favour. You need to be able to connect with others on a human level. Let them know if you can be of any use.
- Gather Information
Take advantage of your time by learning more about the company culture. Now is the perfect time to find out how the company deals with the emergency and if employees are treated well. You can do this by checking the company’s social media accounts and if there is any media coverage. Determine if the company allows its employees to work remotely and how it is supporting them creatively. You should also find out if the company has recently laid off any staff members. The best way to gather information about the company is by setting Google alerts and listening to investor calls. Thus, when you demonstrate that you understand what the company is going through by highlighting what you have listened to and read your chances are getting hired increase significantly.
- Reflect
It is common for job seekers to jump at the first opportunity. Many job seekers do not consider what they should do next. As the job market slows down, you should utilize this time to evaluate where you would actually prefer to work and the title or role you are interested in. You can create a list of job titles, companies, and the target industry where you want to work. Apply for every posting that you believe is the perfect fit for you. Besides just job opening, consider the companies where you dream of working and if you can reach out to them. Even if there might not be any open role just yet, when you create a connection, you would be contacted whenever a role opens up. Reflect and think about how you can use this opportunity to pivot into a new career.
- Boost Your Skills
Finally, as you continue with your job search during Covid-19, you need to make sure that you take advantage of this time to boost your skills. Go through job descriptions on websites and find out how you can boost your chances of getting a job by picking up a new skill. There are many free websites that offer courses to help you stand out. Once done, you can insert that skill into your resume. Furthermore, you may want to have a look at these resume templates to boost the attractivity of your resume.
Conclusion
Now that you have gone the top 6 tips for your job search during the current pandemic, you will have a better chance of making the most of your time.