24 Tips for Job Searching After a Pandemic
In the wake of the epidemic, it’s no secret that the labor market suffered. To better understand how the pandemic influenced the job search and hiring process, TopResume, a resume-writing service, conducted a poll of human resource professionals and hiring managers during this period of economic recovery.
What were the results? Prior to the pandemic, human resource professionals may have been more concerned with a variety of issues while evaluating job candidates. Job searchers should be up to date on the most recent trends in order to increase their chances of landing their dream position.. To bear in mind, here are eight points to consider:
1. It is possible that remote work will become more prevalent.
The epidemic caused many non-essential businesses to enable their staff to work from home whenever feasible. However, although some organizations are bringing their staff back to the office, many roles are transitioning to a more permanent remote work business model, lowering or eliminating the need for office space in the process. An investigation by KPMG discovered that up to 70% of businesses may be following this pattern.
Was this a positive or negative development for your employment search? Candidate success in a remote work environment will be sought for by recruiters.
Experience working from home should be included on your resume. It may also be beneficial to highlight the technology you currently have at your disposal at home, such as dependable high-speed internet, business software, video or audio equipment, and so on. Prepare to speak about your abilities to be productive in a work-from-home environment throughout the interview process. Advice on how to make your remote job experience more visible may be found in this article.
2.You could be doing a video chat during your job interview.
The results of a poll done in April 2020 by Gartner, Inc. revealed that 86 percent of companies had made the decision to conduct job interviews through video at the time. Making sure you have a solid grasp of video interviewing is essential.
According to Lauren Smith, vice president in the Gartner HR practice, “While most organizations are currently conducting interviews remotely as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual interviewing may become the new standard for recruiting leaders and candidates long after social distancing guidelines are lifted.” “The most effective firms give applicants with the same degree of knowledge and a sense of connection with the company as they would get from an in-person interview or onboarding experience,” according to the report.
Practice online interviews, get familiar with popular tools like as Zoom or Teams, and choose the most comfortable place in your house to conduct these conversations to improve your efficiency. Regardless of whether you are interviewing in person or over video, you should prepare for the interview by learning as much as you can about the position you are looking for, researching the organization, and even attempting to learn more about the interviewer before the interview. Even if the employment you are looking for is located in a distant area, be prepared to express your readiness to go to the office if required. The right balance between remote and in-person work is a challenge for many businesses, which must balance the needs of employees with those of the company and its clients.
3.The possibility of greater virtual networking possibilities exists as well.
The ability to network with individuals in your target field is often what leads to the discovery of the ideal position.. Job fairs and Zoom-based networking possibilities are still accessible even if in-person networking has not yet regained its previous momentum. Become a participant in the event and get to know others! Make a commitment to being involved in professional organizations in your sector. Post your CV on LinkedIn and use the platform to expand your network of contacts. –
4. Do you have any lapses in your work experience? It’s not a big deal.
In light of the widespread job loss caused by the epidemic, recruiters are less worried about any gaps in your employment history. To avoid seeming unemployed, explain quickly what occurred and how you utilized the time to improve your abilities and broaden your knowledge base when questioned about any work gaps.
The fifth point is that it could be time to alter careers.
For those experiencing problems obtaining employment, it may be time to consider training for a career that is more “pandemic-proof” or “pandemic-resistant.” Even in the event of a pandemic, these sorts of employment will be required. Jobs in pandemic-resistant professions include those that can be done from home, such as those in healthcare, childcare, and technology.
6.The ability to distinguish oneself is more vital than ever.
A large number of jobless people means that the position you are interested in will be more competitive due to more competition. Take online courses in topics such as company management, marketing, sales, and public speaking to keep your skills up to date. These are transferable abilities that will never go out of style and are excellent assets to any professional portfolio.
Seventh, give yourself enough of time to write your cover letter.
Recruiters admitted that many cover letters were not examined prior to the outbreak. When it comes to early stages of hiring, computer software screening tools are typically employed to automatically sort through resume submissions.. Cover letters were often not read as a result of this situation. According to the results of TopResume’s poll, 48 percent of recruiters said they are more inclined to read a cover letter today than they were before the epidemic hit the country.
Make the greatest first impression possible by taking the time to explain why you are the most qualified candidate for the position. Include key terms from the job description in both your cover letter and resume to ensure that you stand out from the crowd. The probability that your resume will be noticed improves if you include a cover letter, even if the firm is using screening technologies.
8. Don’t forget to express gratitude.
You should always thank the people who have met with you, whether you are interviewed in person or over video. Furthermore, it demonstrates to the receivers that you are really interested in the position and provides you with an additional opportunity to remind them of who you are and why you would be an excellent candidate for the role.
Ongoing research will determine the long-term consequences of the epidemic on our employment, careers, and the way we conduct our business. Although it seems that the actions described above, which were implemented during the pandemic’s early phases, will continue indefinitely, It is necessary to adapt our approach to job searching as the world or the nature of our employment evolves.
Trying to Find Work During the Pandemic
This epidemic was completely unexpected, and no one was prepared for it. In the case of others, it meant the complete and utter failure of their start-up or existing firm. Some firms battled to keep their doors open, which resulted in job losses and wage reductions for others.
The process of hunting for a job has altered significantly as a result of social distance constraints.
Many young individuals who attempted to get their first part-time employment were disappointed when they discovered that the task looked to be practically hard to do. This is especially true with restaurants and other businesses either closed or giving a limited service offering.
For those of us who have already established our professions, the job-hunting scene has also shifted significantly.
To be sure, finding work during a pandemic is not a simple undertaking, and many individuals are wary of experimenting with new methods.
Because of the pandemic, job hunting has undergone certain changes.
Job seeking has shifted from being mostly an in-person activity to being primarily virtual. However, this does not imply that there are fewer work opportunities.
More than 45 percent of U.S. and European employers have reported receiving less applications for their open positions since the introduction of the coronavirus, according to a CNN piece on the worldwide labor shortage.
There are an increasing number of occupations available today that allow you to work from the comfort of your own home without having to leave your family or put your health at danger.
20 Pointers to Help You Land a Great Job Right Away
In this essay, we provide sound guidance on the subject of obtaining work during a pandemic. For your convenience, we’ve included 20 useful ideas from the folks at Jooble as well as many best-selling publications to help you get started on your quest to discover the ideal career for you.
8.Seek a position that calls for and rewards your core competencies and prior work experience.
This is the beginning place for everyone looking for a job, regardless of whether or not there is a pandemic or other difficulties. If you want to establish a plan for your job-searching pursuits, you need critically examine your previous work experience, abilities, and preferences.
Make an effort not to exaggerate or underestimate your ability. – If you “dress the part” and have adequate self-confidence, you will be more likely to get the position you want.
Employers are searching for employees who are self-assured in their ability to do their tasks.
9. Job-hunting websites that allow you to work from home
Following the beginning of the pandemic, many individuals all around the world chose to work from home or from a distant location.
In fact, even prior to the outbreak of the pandemic, there were a plethora of occupations that allowed you to work from home. However, since then, the number of telecommuters has increased by orders of magnitude, as many businesses have shuttered or reduced office operations in favor of telecommuting.
Recent job postings on the following websites included thousands of positions for remote workers, teleworkers, and telecommuters:
Jooble has more than 760,000 remote employment opportunities.
Indeed, there are more than 313,000 different remote work job titles.
Monster.com advertised hundreds of remote employment opportunities.
FlexJobs.com featured more than 23,000 remote employment opportunities.
If you want to work from home, be certain that you have the following items on hand:
Internet connection that is dependable
Workspace that is separate from the rest of the house and family activities
A nice workstation and chair are essential.
A computer that is dependable
A high-definition webcam of excellent quality
The majority of this office furniture can be found secondhand on Craigslist, OfferUp, and Facebook Marketplace, among other places.
Some firms will actually offer many of the basics for working from home, such as computers and Internet access.
10.Create four lists to assist you in your search for the right job.
Companies: List any potential companies that interest you. For a list of major enterprises in your region, check the website of your local convention and visitors bureau. An annual Book of Lists, published by the Business Journal in your city, lists the top firms in a broad range of market areas; most libraries have this resource accessible for you to use.
Contacts that may be of assistance include recruiters, acquaintances, coworkers, and friends who may be able to connect you to an employer, either directly or via their acquaintances, if necessary. The concept of “Six Degrees of Separation” holds true in the world of job seeking. It’s important to remember that 80 percent of individuals acquire employment via recommendations.
Open-source jobs that you may discover on the internet (company websites, employment platforms, job boards, information from colleagues).
Alternative Relocation Locations – If you haven’t yet located a good opportunity that matches your approach and preferences, attempt to be open to alternative possibilities.
It is possible that you may need to extend your search even farther than normal. Consider looking at other locations or other sorts of companies to see what you can find.
Maintain an open mind to possibilities in other nations as well. Even though there are now no travel restrictions in place for a certain nation, the situation may and will change at any time.
11.Preparing for Online Recruitment and Remote Work.
Whether you are looking for a job in another country or in your own city, the interview may be conducted through the internet. Most businesses will utilize well-known free software such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Skype, so make sure you are familiar with how to use them and have practiced with them before your interview.
Video interviews may also be a good way to demonstrate your digital abilities. If all goes according to plan, the prospective employer will be aware that you are capable of working remotely in an effective way when the situation calls for it. In addition, you’ll get an understanding of how a prospective employer is structured in terms of using technology.
Preparing for a Video Interview while standing in front of a camera
Prepare a well-lit, clutter-free environment in which to conduct the video interview.
A backdrop that is clear of distractions
A high-quality webcam – – we prefer these top-rated Logitech webcams from Amazon, which are now on sale.
Avoid pointing your camera toward a window since the light will reflect off of your face.
Position the camera as near to the interviewer’s eyes as feasible — if the camera is too low, the interviewer will be peering up your nose, which is uncomfortable.
Dress in a professional manner (from the waist up), avoiding complicated patterns and bright colors that will distract from your features.
In addition, you will want a dependable internet connection.
Try to place your video chat screen exactly below or in front of your webcam while using video chat. This will create the impression that you are gazing straight at the person conducting the interview, which is correct.
12. Conduct your research with a strategic mindset.
The worldwide employment market has been disrupted by the COVID-19 epidemic, yet there are still many businesses searching for qualified workers.
Jobs by industry in a pandemic, according to Fortune Magazine
Fortune.com has the following article: “The greatest employment may be found here.”
Make an attempt to plan ahead. Examine which sectors are doing better than others — these are the ones that are most likely to be recruiting right now.
Many industries are recruiting during the epidemic, according to Forbes Magazine, including:
Information technology and digital industries
E-commerce
VR
Tools and software for working remotely
Medical Billing Science for Healthcare
Telemedicine
Healthcare that is provided virtually
Services for Information Technology
Public services – education – e-learning
Contactless Technology in Home Entertainment
The Self-Employed Workforce
Keep in mind that although businesses like tourism and hospitality were heavily damaged by the epidemic, they may still be searching for seasonal employees to help them recover during peak season.
13. Earn certifications or learn new skills in your spare time.
If you lose your work, use the time off to acquire new skills or enroll in personal development classes.
Any course you take, as well as any other qualifications you get, will help your CV stand out. Showing recruiters that you take advantage of a difficult position to further your career will impress them.
14. Supply is determined by demand.
Our demands have undoubtedly altered as a result of the reality of the epidemic. Many occupations and abilities have grown more in demand as a result of this, and this is something to be aware of.
During the epidemic, industry grew.
During the pandemic, these were the industries that had the most revenue increase.
Industries are growing, according to a Dojo.tech story.
This might lead to greater career prospects for many professions. Here’s what one of our frequent readers had to say about it:
“The present circumstances provide a great atmosphere for me to obtain new information and adjust to a new situation.” It’s usually a good idea to try to improve your situation.
I was the head of the litigation department at a financial firm where I worked as a lawyer. Our pay were being slashed by half, and we were all being relocated to a different location. One of the reasons I accepted an offer from another firm was because of this.
I’ve been formulating tactics and assisting in court cases for the last ten years. I transferred to a comparable role, where I am now working on more interesting and complicated projects and earning a greater pay.”
15. Be adaptable.
If you don’t have direct experience in a certain function, focus on non-technical abilities like creativity, communication, and problem-solving.
Highlight transferable talents from past jobs, particularly how you can apply them to the job you’re seeking for, and then emphasize the ones that set you apart from the competition.
Always keep in mind that every experience is beneficial. In these uncertain times, companies reward flexibility, adaptability, and a desire to learn.
Make a number of resumes.
Make sure your resume is tailored to each employment opportunity.
Examine the job description’s criteria and include your relevant skills at the top of the “Experience” section.
There is no ideal design, and depending on the scenario, you may want to emphasize other areas of your resume, such as your schooling or professional experience.
Some HR departments check submissions digitally for terms that are relevant. Changing your CV to incorporate the precise wording from the listing can help it pass this step.
You should also edit your LinkedIn profile to include the talents and keywords that prospective employers are looking for.
16. Demonstrate What You’ve Done
Make a separate list of your accomplishments. It’s better to put them in numbers: 10% expense savings, 30% profit growth, management of a 20-person team, and so on.
Make a list of all of your previous jobs and do the same thing for each of them.
12. Conduct a S.W.O.T. (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) Analysis.
SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis is a method of discovering and assessing your existing and future strengths, weaknesses, external opportunities, and threats.
If you do a SWOT analysis of a few interviews and discover that you have picked the incorrect aim, do not pursue it any further. Define a new professional objective for yourself.
In order to do this, we offer a skill-building activity known as the Wheel of Competence. Draw a circle and split it into sectors using a ruler. Fill each area with the expertise that will be required to participate in your task.
The following are a few examples: customer communication, conference organizing, and team management. Now, divide the intended workload among the competencies by a percentage of the total. Different jobs and professions should be considered, with the ones that seem to showcase your talents being the most important.
At Digital-Competence.eu, you may design a free Wheel of Competency to help you identify your strengths and weaknesses.
At Digital-Competence.eu, you may get a free Wheel of Competency.
Research the company as well as the market position.
Before you even consider applying for the position, you should do preliminary research on the possible employer.
Visit their website for more information. Check out the company’s Google reviews to learn more.
Visit LinkedIn and go through the profiles of various workers as well as the company’s founders and executives.
Check out additional sources to discover more about the company’s operations, its image and branding, and the latest industry news.
Prepare your response to the following question: “What is it about our firm that attracts you as an employee?”
When responding, be explicit about what you’ve learnt from your study about the firm and avoid using ambiguous language.
Aside from this, make certain that you are familiar with the function and position for which you are applying.
17. Preparation for an Interview
Prepare a three-minute presentation on yourself in advance of the interview. Make certain to include keywords from the prospective employer’s job description in your cover letter.
Tell the interviewer what you know about yourself in a manner that retains their attention. Concentrate on relevant job experience gained from previous employers. Make sure to discuss your qualities that have assisted you in your job, as well as your accomplishments that you are very pleased with.
18. Be Natural – This Will Help You Worry Less
Try to be as natural as possible while maintaining your professional demeanor. If you are offered the position, you’ll want to be able to conduct yourself in the workplace in the same manner as you did during your interview.
Take on the role of a researcher, respond to the interviewer’s questions, and then ask them a few questions of your own to round out the conversation.
Employment, like any other contract, is about negotiating and agreeing on terms and conditions. You, like the employer, are a party to this contract and have full rights under it.
19. Inquire about things.
Please feel free to ask any questions you may have regarding anything you are interested in. Preparing a few questions in advance is the most effective method.
Decide what is most important to you – the team, the leadership style, the workspace, the handover – and make it a point to learn all you can about those aspects of the position.
Candidates often lose sight of their queries during interviews, and as a consequence, they are subsequently disappointed by the gap between expectations and reality.
20. Be patient — job hunting requires time and effort.
If you are looking for the ideal employment, it may take longer than you anticipate. Great outcomes, like with any process, may only be achieved after a significant amount of time and money have been invested. Be patient, and do not hold it against yourself when you have setbacks, which will very certainly occur along the route.
For every $10,000 in compensation that you are anticipating, some experts advise that you should plan on spending one month job seeking to find a suitable position.
This is a regulation that we have never encountered before. If you do thorough research, your job search might be much shorter. A lengthier recruiting procedure may be required if the business is building a new job just for you.
21. Be Straightforward and Honest with the Interviewer
Lying at a job interview is one of the worst things that may happen. Prepare for queries on your résumé and tough topics such as “Why did you leave your last job?” Your responses must be completely truthful. Especially if you have experienced unpleasant events in the past, it is good to prepare ahead of time how you will respond to them appropriately and gracefully in the future.
22. Seek Help and Demonstrate Your Curiosity
Never be afraid to express an interest in a certain job or function. Take the initiative and make an effort to convey to your employer that you are eager to learn. You should attempt something new even if you don’t have the necessary training or experience for it. If you are convinced that you can manage the situation, go ahead and try it.
Make the employer feel that you are really interested and eager to work by demonstrating your genuine enthusiasm. They will then assist you in mitigating your weak spots.
23. Participate in support groups and networking organizations.
We were able to endure three layoffs by sticking to a budget, keeping overhead costs low, and filing for unemployment benefits as soon as possible. Ensure that you include the whole family in your money conservation efforts.
Locate support groups where you may network and get assistance with revising your resume, building your LinkedIn profile, and job searching. Many churches, as well as the majority of chambers of commerce, have these sorts of organizations.
24. always keep moving forward
The last, but certainly not the least, is that forced seclusion and other anti-pandemic tactics are not an excuse to halt our progress ahead.
You may learn new skills and acquire new information in the time that you spend looking for job openings, submitting resumes, and attending interviews.
Utilize the same rigorous strategy that you used in your prior career when you are looking for new opportunities.
They will assist you in developing a better résumé and setting goals for long-term success.
Make use of whatever extra time you have for self-improvement — it will undoubtedly pay off in the long run!
The Best Ways to Find Work During the Pandemic
Job Hunting in the Wake of the Pandemic: A Summary and Resources
This epidemic will not endure indefinitely. While you will be able to find employment, it may not be in the same capacity as in the past.
While you’re searching for a new work, it’s possible that you’ll have to do something else to supplement your income.
