The current job market is shifting with many companies temporary shut down and others moving to remote working to combat the Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19). Many job seekers are wondering? “How do I even search for a new job during this uncertain time?” Even though hiring has slowed down, there are companies who are still in need of filling some positions.
The slowdown hiring therefore means that the competition for the available positions is high and hence you as the job seeker need to be strategic and intentional to land a job that you are passionate about. Fulltime and contract based opportunities are options that you should be open to enhance your expertise, build your network and reflect on your next step professionally.
Hiring during a crisis also means a quicker hiring process and cycle.
It is impossible to predict when this virus will end and hence the job market will be unsteady for a while. It is therefore important that we equip ourselves information on how to gain job stability.
Follow our below tips for conducting a job search during uncertain times, to gain the confidence and clarity to move forward in your career.
1.Update your CV and online profiles.
Take the time to revamp your CV and online profiles to highlight your current career accomplishments, education, passions and skills. Lean into developing your brand to give employers a sense of your narrative and mission, which will differentiate you from many applicants. When applying for remote jobs, read the job description carefully and use the keywords from the job description to showcase the specific skills that match the job description.
Also ensure to use the best CV format as this will enable both employers and applicant tracking systems (ATS) to look through your CV quickly.
2.Strengthen your network connection online.
Tap into your networks that might include friends, old colleagues and professional mentors, and to see if they know anyone hiring or organizations with vacant positions. Seek out like-minded professionals that you look upto online to spark conversations about possible opportunities and virtual networking events and chats. Join professional groups online (LinkedIn and Facebook) to expand your job search and network. During this interruption, it’s the perfect opportunity to make new reliable connections and revive old ones.
3.Add to your professional toolkit by taking online courses.
Use your free time to take online courses to expand your knowledge and professional toolkit. It’s important to take advantage of the opportunity to strengthen your qualifications by learning new skills. Having a few certifications under your belt will be helpful when applying for new roles. Given the current climate, several online learning companies have offered to share professional training and courses for free, like Coursera to help you push yourself, while at the same time ; add credentials to your CV.
While you are at that, it’s also a good time to stay updated on what’s happening in your industry
4.Identify and apply to growth industries and specializations.
This is the best time to identify and apply jobs to companies that have adapted well during the uncertainty and are also exceptionally positioned to add value to our new normal environment. Most tech businesses have equipped to transition their in-office roles to remote ones in efforts to keep things going as usual. In addition, manufacturing and healthcare companies are also rapidly hiring as the demand for resources continues to rise due to COVID-19.
The current job market is shifting with many companies temporary shut down and others moving to remote working to combat the Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19). Many job seekers are wondering? “How do I even search for a new job during this uncertain time?” Even though hiring has slowed down, there are companies who are still in need of filling some positions.
The slowdown hiring therefore means that the competition for the available positions is high and hence you as the job seeker need to be strategic and intentional to land a job that you are passionate about. Fulltime and contract based opportunities are options that you should be open to enhance your expertise, build your network and reflect on your next step professionally.
Hiring during a crisis also means a quicker hiring process and cycle.
It is impossible to predict when this virus will end and hence the job market will be unsteady for a while. It is therefore important that we equip ourselves information on how to gain job stability.
Follow our below tips for conducting a job search during uncertain times, to gain the confidence and clarity to move forward in your career.
1.Update your CV and online profiles.
Take the time to revamp your CV and online profiles to highlight your current career accomplishments, education, passions and skills. Lean into developing your brand to give employers a sense of your narrative and mission, which will differentiate you from many applicants. When applying for remote jobs, read the job description carefully and use the keywords from the job description to showcase the specific skills that match the job description.
Also ensure to use the best CV format as this will enable both employers and applicant tracking systems (ATS) to look through your CV quickly.
2.Strengthen your network connection online.
Tap into your networks that might include friends, old colleagues and professional mentors, and to see if they know anyone hiring or organizations with vacant positions. Seek out like-minded professionals that you look upto online to spark conversations about possible opportunities and virtual networking events and chats. Join professional groups online (LinkedIn and Facebook) to expand your job search and network. During this interruption, it’s the perfect opportunity to make new reliable connections and revive old ones.
3.Add to your professional toolkit by taking online courses.
Use your free time to take online courses to expand your knowledge and professional toolkit. It’s important to take advantage of the opportunity to strengthen your qualifications by learning new skills. Having a few certifications under your belt will be helpful when applying for new roles. Given the current climate, several online learning companies have offered to share professional training and courses for free, like Coursera to help you push yourself, while at the same time ; add credentials to your CV.
While you are at that, it’s also a good time to stay updated on what’s happening in your industry
4.Identify and apply to growth industries and specializations.
This is the best time to identify and apply jobs to companies that have adapted well during the uncertainty and are also exceptionally positioned to add value to our new normal environment. Most tech businesses have equipped to transition their in-office roles to remote ones in efforts to keep things going as usual. In addition, manufacturing and healthcare companies are also rapidly hiring as the demand for resources continues to rise due to COVID-19.