The 2 type of job seekers during corona virus times

A huge question mark now hangs over the job market. Companies might think twice before hiring a candidate during the corona virus time. More than ever, you need to stand out from the crowd and show, in a crystal-clear way, that you are the best option for the company that will interview you.

 Due to my solid background in recruitment and my current work as a career consultant online, I am "virtually" surrounded by job seekers, companies and recruiters all day long. I also enjoy talking about career paths and guide people during their career moves, so I confess I put a lot of time into reading, studying and researching related topics. In the past weeks, I could identify two main types of job seekers during the time of the pandemic:

Type 1 - the "SIT AND WAIT" mode

 GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Some people got so scared about everything going on around them and so many changes at once that they decided not to make a single move until the situation calms down a bit. I don't blame them. It can be difficult to keep optimistic and to see a clear path ahead, as fear is often the first feeling we all have during big sudden changes.

 HOW DOES IT AFFECT THEIR JOB SEARCH?

Well, the "sit and wait" people basically took a break of their job-hunting strategies. They stopped applying to job offers, stopped making new connections on LinkedIn, and stopped engaging consistently with interesting companies, head-hunters and key people in the industry. 

WHAT ARE THEY THINKING?

 The "sit and wait" people have a clear phrase to explain their behaviour: "what for?". They don't see any point in wasting their time updating their CV or preparing for job interviews because they don't really know what is going to happen in the next 2-3 months. They choose to use their time and energy in other things that feel more rewarding short term, to feel better, and eventually start thinking again about job searching in a couple of weeks or months.

Type 2 - the "SLOW BUT CONSTANT" mode

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS:

 They are obviously also worried about the market situation and they wish things were different, but they started to accept that the situation is what it is for the time being. The "slow but constant" group also feel confused and unmotivated sometimes, but they still go on LinkedIn most days and try to create meaningful connections and add value to their content.

HOW DOES IT AFFECT THEIR JOB SEARCH?

 Sometimes the "slow but constant" people don't really feel like doing anything, but they have a strategy to follow, and clear tasks to be done every day. They established a job searching routine that forces them to think "outside the box", while they keep applying to job offers and increasing their network. 

WHAT ARE THEY THINKING?

 The "slow but constant" individuals want to make sure they did everything they could during these difficult times to land their dream job, or at least to have some financial stability while still searching for a better job. They also consider that, even if recruitment processes move slower now, they want to go as far as they can, do as many job interviews as possible, in order to be the first name popping up in the recruiter's mind when they get the green light to hire someone new in the company.

 If you are a job seeker and if you are reading this, chances are that you identified with both patterns, right?

Maybe during the very same day your mood changes, and you move from one pattern to the other. Let me share a secret: most people considering a job change nowadays are feeling exactly the same!

Don't be too hard on yourself regarding the way you approach the job searching processes now. It is all very confusing, even for the companies that are hiring and for the recruiters scheduling that Zoom interview with you.

None of us were prepared for it!

The good news is: once you are aware of those two main patterns, you can recognise when you are acting as a "sit and wait" person, or when you have a "slow but constant" attitude,  and make a decision about what to do next.

You can't change the situation around, but you can, step by step, chose how you react to it.

Moving from fear to learning and growing is a decision that requires commitment and getting out of our comfort zone.

When months pass, and you look back at this time of your life, which attitude about job searching will make you feel prouder of yourself?

Which type of job seeker are you? Please type 1 or 2 in the comments.

I have +15 years experience as a Recruiter, so I know exactly what companies will look for when they receive your CV or check your LinkedIn profile! My goal is to help you land a job that makes you happy. I provide services related to CV, LinkedIn and Job Interviews.

#coronavirus #career #jobsearch