5 Things You Can Do to Advance Your Job Search During the COVID-19 Outbreak
It’s a surreal time and we’re living in extremes. You may be feeling overwhelmed or you may be feeling bored. You likely feel anxious given all the uncertainty around us. While we can’t foresee all of the challenges ahead, one thing is for certain: time will pass and life will go on eventually.
If you’ve been thinking about launching a job search to move away from a dead-end job and now you’re feeling like everything needs to be on pause, seize this opportunity to be ready when things return to normal.
There are several things you can do right now to invest in securing your next role.
1. Update and sharpen your resume: Your resume might need an update and refresh. Resumes should be clearly aimed at the positions you are applying for and profile your strengths and abilities. Many resumes are not optimized which means applicant tracking software (ATS) and recruiters won’t advance you to the interview stage.
2. Enhance your LinkedIn profile: Do you cringe when you think of your LinkedIn profile? Now is a great time to revisit how you are showing up online to ensure that your profile is optimized and does a good job of setting you apart from the competition.
3. Get clear on the role you are aiming for: Many people launch their job search but aren’t clear on the types of roles and positions they want to aim for. Take some time to get clear on your strengths and skills so you can target roles that will help you take your career to the next level.
4. Build your skills: While you are stuck at home, you can take the time to build your skills and make yourself more valuable in a job search. Take the time to think about the skills you want to build and start checking them off the list. Here are three platforms you can tap into where you can further develop your skills: Skillshare, Coursera, and Teachable.
5. Network in a new way: We know that networking is really important for your job search. Upwards of 85% of all positions are secured through networking! Take the time to reach out to people in your network to touch base with a phone or video call.
While there are major shifts occurring in the economy, some industries will grow or even boom during the crisis. Companies will continue to post new positions in the coming weeks and months. While there may be a slowdown for a period of time, don’t hesitate to apply and put your name out there. You may get ahead of the curve.
Most importantly, be patient. We know that there will be an end to the massive changes in our lives. Employers may slow hiring but they likely won’t stop the process outright. Don’t assume that employers will stop hiring; it will resume and even ramp up again.
Please join me and my colleague Danielle Droitsch for a live Q&A on Wednesday, March 25 at 1:00 pm Eastern where we’ll share insights and other tips and answer your burning questions. Join us: we’re in this together.