Job Searching During a Pandemic? Here are 5 tips to follow

Were you anticipating making a career change this year? Lost your job or was furloughed because of the shut down? Having to look for more flexible work schedules due to your children e-learning? You are not alone.

1. Maximize networking via the internet.

With large events and gatherings most likely on hold for the foreseeable future, you will need to become creative in your networking techniques. Online networking can be challenging, however, leverage social media platforms to find other professionals in your field. Utilize LinkedIn and Facebook strategically by joining professional groups (there are thousands of them out there in every field/sector imaginable!) and join in on the conversations by commenting on posts, sharing your own personal expertise, and developing professional relationships online – make sure to always stay professional as what you put out on the internet will stay with you! Update your social media profiles. Once you start making a presence online, more people will start to look at your profile and you will ultimately show up in more searches. Additionally, social media profiles tend to be one of the 1st things recruiters and hiring managers look at when they are sourcing for new talent or reviewing resumes. Keep your online profiles up to date, accurate, and professional. Specifically, on LinkedIn, adjust your profile settings to show that you are actively seeking opportunities. Go to your settings & privacy, click on the privacy tab to Job Seeker Preferences (heading). You can choose “Let recruiters know you’re open to opportunities” and it will walk you through answering few questions about your job search so that recruiters can find you. For more information about LinkedIn Profile best practices, check out another one of our blog posts: www.careerconnectionsllc.com/post/do-you-need-a-linkedin-profile

2. Practice virtual interviews.

Video interviewing was becoming more and more popular even before the COVID-19 pandemic. Many companies and recruiters find this to be a more cost-effective and time-saving alternative to face to face interviews. Make sure you have a quiet, professional space in your home for your computer set up with minimal distraction potential. Spend some time learning and understanding the technology behind video chats and virtual meetings. If you get invited to attend one, make sure you have everything set up and tested beforehand to mitigate any possible issues.

Practice your video interviewing skills with a friend or family member using a free service such as GoToMeeting or Zoom, as it is much different than face to face, in person meetings. Have someone judge you on how you look and sound on the camera, evaluate your eye contact, and work on adjusting to timing and potential video delays to prevent talking over your interviewer.

And finally, dress the part as if you were going on a real face to face interview, and not just above the waist! You never know when you may have to get up to retrieve a document, so get rid of the sweatpants and slippers and go for the whole interview outfit!

3. Be patient and accommodating

Companies are struggling during this unprecedented time as well – be patient! Hiring freezes, furloughs, and budget issues may be preventing a hiring manager with moving forward in filling positions. Show some empathy and compassion to the process, however, stay connected and involved – send a thoughtful Thank You note after the interview and follow up if you have not heard back after a week. If the interview contact says they will reach out by a specific date, go ahead and send another follow up after that timeline has passed if you have not heard anything. Businesses are swapped right now with less staff; they will appreciate the effort. Find other ways to stay connected – reach out via LinkedIn and connect with the person you interviewed with, key staff, and follow the company’s page and engage in their posts and conversations.

4. Improve your skills.

Maybe you are putting your job search on hold temporarily, take this opportunity to focus on what you can control: updating and improving your skills! There are many free online courses you can take to enhance your skillset and enrich your professional development. Check out https://www.mooc.org/ for various free online courses in a variety of industries. LinkedIn also has a platform for online learning (LinkedIn Learning) where you can access over 16K different courses taught by real-world experts. Though many classes are not free, you can simply sign up for a free 30-day membership to access the courses https://www.linkedin.com/learning/. And finally, if you have been laid off or furloughed, look into training opportunities to access industry-recognized credentials and certifications through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act (WIOA). WIOA is federal legislation that is designed to help Americans improve their skills to access quality employment. Many colleges and universities have WIOA training programs in high demand industries. Look for a WIOA provider near you for more information: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/wioa

5. Makes sure your resume is up to date.

Hire a resume writer! Though it will cost you upfront, the long-term benefit of a professionally written, ATS optimized, and professionally formatted resume is priceless. Because of the current state of the workforce and economy, you will be competing with significantly more candidates for a single position. Make sure your resume stands out, is effective in ATS, and offers a high level and impactful snapshot of you, your accomplishments, and your skills. Check out our services and packages for more information about our Resume Coaching services. www.foxvalleycareerconnections.com