Finding work during a Crisis: COVID-19

So many people across so many industries are feeling the stress of COVID related layoffs, furloughs, and downsizing. It is truly a scary time. During times of stress, people react in different ways, often expressing anxiety and frustration in forms of aggression or desperation.

Most of us are dealing with concerns over losing our jobs, finding work, paying bills, not becoming sick, keeping ourselves and our family's healthy, keeping a roof over our heads etc. With so many new people on the market looking for jobs, particularly in the Healthcare Technology Industry, and the number of available positions dwindling, it is more important than ever to create a positive strategy for your job hunt.

Below are a few tips to keep yourself on the right track as you look for a new job/contract:

• Stay positive, even if you're not feeling that way on the inside. Keep your posts & communications upbeat, people that are hiring/interviewing want to work with positive people.
• Update your resume, have an industry colleague or professional review it and offer suggestions.
• Take a class. Adding education, certifications, training to your qualifications is always a plus.
• Rethink your demands. Have you been holding out for a better salary or hourly rate? Maybe you have been only wanting part-time or only full-time? Be flexible and temporarily consider lower pay, a different title or maybe even work in a new industry.
• Understand that others are feeling the same as you are. Its easy to get frustrated because a hiring manager didn't call you back after an interview, or your resume wasn't considered because you didn't have the "ideal" qualifications. You likely aren't aware of how many other people applied for that same position, or what that hiring manager is dealing with on their end. If you didn't receive the response you desired, send a polite note asking for more detail or reiterating why your qualifications make you a great candidate for the job & then let it go. Your energies are better utilized elsewhere.
• Enlist the help of colleagues and friends. If you're looking for work, have prior colleagues write you a letter of recommendation. Let them know you're looking and inquire if you can use them as a reference. Tell your friends you're looking for work and describe what you're looking for. The more eyes out there for you, the better.
• Include reference letters with your resume when you apply.
• Grow your online network, particularly on LinkedIn, and update your LI profile to mirror your resume.

None of us know how long this is going to last, or what things will look like on the other side. Do what you can to stay connected and stay centered. This isn't going to be an easy ride, but we're all in this together. Stay Safe. Stay Well. Stay Strong.