Finding A Job During A Pandemic

Searching for a job is usually filled with a whole spectrum of emotions from nervousness to excitement, something that many of us have experienced at some point. Since mid-March, the pandemic changed the way we live and work, and created an unemployment crisis with over 47 million jobs lost.  

While a job search during this time looks different, it is possible to find a job. For those who are working to re-enter the workforce, I have some strategies that you can implement to help you have a successful job search.

1. Assess your skills

With a large pool of talent ready and willing to work, candidates need to work hard to stand out. There are skills assessments available online for little to no cost. Skills assessments allow users to test their expertise level for technical, business or design skills. Outline your hard and soft skillsets and use this time to strengthen, or learn new skills; adding this information can help you stand out from the crowd of applicants. Most jobs require some technical skills; familiarize yourself with the capabilities needed, and identify opportunities to level up your skills. Workers from industries experiencing bigger downturns have transferable skills; I encourage candidates transitioning to a different industry to be optimistic.

2. Prepare with care

Apply great attention and care to your job search essentials:

• Refresh your resume: To help your resume stand out, include quantifiable points to detail your experience; be detailed and include numbers, or a range, in your work experience bullets. 
• Revamp online profiles: Update your LinkedIn and public social media profiles, if applicable, and make sure it’s the best representation of you and what you can bring to the table.
• Create a cover letter: While a cover letter may not be needed for every job, it’s still a good idea to have a working, updated version ready if ever needed.
• Ready your references: Have a list of references ready if asked; three to four professional references is common practice. When creating your list, connect with your references so they are aware a potential employer may contact them.

3. Time to apply

While there are many readily available job opportunities, it’s important to keep your career growth and professional development goals in mind and find a job that can add to those. Don’t neglect contingent work as a way to re-enter the workforce and obtain experience and skills. Remember, quality over quantity when it comes to the number of jobs you’re pursuing. Don’t get discouraged, always have faith in yourself and your capabilities.

4. Making a digital impression

Instead of in-person interviews, video interviews are now a mainstream way to screen employees. Take time to prepare and do your research, this will be your first face-to-face impression with a potential employer. Check for mutual connections with key company contacts, recruiters, or hiring managers by social media networks. You could also ask a mutual connection for an e-introduction, as this is beneficial to preparing for an interview and growing your professional network. Reach out to your friends to inquire about job openings or to make an introduction. Virtual job fairs can also be an option to connect with potential employers and get information on available positions.  

5. Professional life purpose

While it’s never too late to find your purpose, you need to ask if the jobs you’re considering have a high likelihood of filling you with joy and meaning. To identify your purpose, you need to do a deep dive into yourself to understand what motivates you, what you love working on and what gives you a sense of satisfaction. Do some digital exploration to get a better understanding of a company’s culture to determine if this is a good fit for you. From employment review sites to a company’s social media accounts, you’ll learn helpful information about a company from its online presence. Life is short; enjoy your job, especially now that we have less social interactions due to social distancing practices and remote work. Make every day count; and enjoy your interactions with others.

Finding a job can be a job in itself. Stay persistent, follow up and don’t give up. While your path may be unclear now, hard work can help you continue to the next phase of your professional career. This pandemic drastically changed the way we work and live; it forced us to pause and reevaluate many things. I know we are resilient and we will recover stronger, and better than before. Be patient, don’t get discouraged and stay focused on the journey.

Do you have a job search tip that you’ve found useful? What’s the best piece of advice for someone looking for work? Share your thoughts in the comments below!