How to Prepare for the Post-Covid Rehiring Surge

by John M. O'Connor and Tanya Mykhaylychenko

Early 2020 looked like another banner year for hiring and growth. That concept and move got disrupted by a pandemic, but Covid-19 did not shut down hiring; the response to it did. In many ways what bodes well for a new hiring surge is that the worldwide economy was mandated to shutdown in response to a virus and the potential damage the virus could do. 

Does that mean we come back as a nation and as nations the same as before the mandated shutdown? No. This disruption to most industries and individuals has been real but induced. We think the recovery in jobs will be swift and robust. Regardless, you had better be ready to respond to it if you are a jobseeker. 

As a disclaimer, we know full well that some industries and many small businesses will not recover from this devastating, mandated blow to the economy. We do believe that your response to the setback, if possible, must take priority now. 

How have you dealt with it at your level and what are your next steps as the economy is returning to more hiring? While the subsequent processes will still involve a degree of uncertainly, there is much you can do at this stage to plan on achieving your goals and advancing your career. 

Here are some ideas to consider now:

1.   Take Your Setback and Set a Strategic Plan Now.

 Reflect on your goals and how they have transformed throughout the last few months. Are you considering working in the same industry, moving to another location, prioritizing family? How agile and versatile do you need to be? 

Take time to write down your top 10-15 strengths and achievements, including lessons learned, from the past 3-5 years in your industry/role. Assess how you could advance these strengths and capitalize on them. Draft action items and expected results, considering the recent changes in your industry, organization, or geographical location. 

2.   Step Up Improved Online Networking. 

Whatever stage of networking you’re in, now is the time to assess what you have done so far and make notes for your next networking steps. Look at the size and quality of your network; write down role titles of people you would like to connect with on LinkedIn. Create or revise a list of potential employers and research these companies. 

Start adding key connections while always finding a way to have a business conversation. This means you connect, find value, and build mini-friendships. This is the hard work that must be done to advance your career cause. 

Add 5-10 new connections on a bi-weekly basis (or whatever timeframe works for you). Craft personalized messages, stating why you are connecting and introducing your top differentiators. Then build a conversation around win-win ideas, concepts, and calls to action. 

3.  Get Ready for Remote or Partially Remote Roles. 

The whole economy will not be a Cisco Webex, Microsoft Teams, or related Zoom meeting. The commercial real estate market is not doomed. But let’s not ignore the new idea around remote work, how work will be done, and how you need to adapt to this idea right now. 

There will most likely be a trend away from population density which includes cities but also work environments. Opportunities will be spread out more, and a combination of virtual and office work will become more common. 

What technologies or spaces do you need to set up and showcase during the interview, so your new employer can trust you will excel working remotely? Learn online tools and invest into technology upgrades and highlight your online/remote skills in your career documents. This will be an ongoing theme from these times. 

4.  Marketing Yourself for Partially Remote, Nationwide Jobs. 

Video interviewing and phone communication skills are crucial. Prepare a list of your top differentiators. Check your ‘sales pitch’ – do you present yourself as a person who is highly aware of the organization’s problems and able to start solving them right away, delivering value instead of taking time to learn new processes and technologies? 

Think about the pithy language you can use to inspire confidence and provide examples of how you have managed remote processes in the past. You will be expected to be able to navigate these platforms, perform well, stay up on the latest, and know how to succeed with metrics this way. 

Now it is time to look for roles beyond your town more than ever. Companies that want you to be successful need to see you and experience your skills on these platforms. Use this as a way to look for your next employment.

5.  Assess Your Options and Priorities. 

Make a list of industries where you’re potentially a good fit. What roles are your priority? What skills would you like to use and apply every day in your work? Define geography where you would consider moving. Choose 10-15 roles based on your priorities, analyze the job description carefully, and update your career documents toward those roles. 

Do not assume your LinkedIn profile, your resume, and your communications- focused networking plan can create what you need. Hire a career coach and build many new friendships. Simply put, this is not the time to hunker down and be alone in this search. Create continuous learning and up your networking effectiveness. View yourself as a product and update the features, benefits, and behaviors you are showing to the audiences you want to reach. Now is the time!

About the authors: 

John M. O'Connor is a multi-year career coach, outplacement and career services leader based in North Carolina. For more information, visit https://careerproinc.com/. 

Tanya Mykhaylychenko is a professional resume writer with a background in content writing, university teaching, and IT staffing. For more information, visit https://tm-editorial.com/about/.