The coronavirus pandemic concern has been spreading like wildfire and it’s causing some major issues for employers, employees, and job seekers. Some companies are experiencing hiring freezes, alternative interviewing setups (i.e. video interviewing vs. face-to-face), and even layoffs as a result of this coronavirus pandemic. But, now is not the time to pause. While hiring may slow down, companies are still hiring. Here are some tips for job hunting during this uncertain time.
Get comfortable with virtual interviewing
It’s very likely that you will have to do your first few interviews virtually, whether that means phone interviews, video interviews, or one-way interviews. So, be prepared because face-to-face interviews won’t be as common for the next few months.
Shift your mindset
If you allow fear to make you feel like there aren’t any opportunities out there for you, then you will not find any opportunities. Even if it feels weird or too optimistic during this time, thinking positively and tapping into an abundance mindset will keep you focused on finding the right opportunities rather than settling or not finding anything at all because you’ve convinced yourself that it’s impossible to land a new job right now.
Focus on networking online
Just because we’re all practicing social distancing doesn’t mean you can’t reach out and network with people in your industry. Reconnect with people who are already in your network, share content in your LinkedIn feed that support your professional specialty (this will help people remember what you do), and invite people who work at your target companies to connect. During this downtime, with everyone at home killing time, it’s a perfect chance to make new authentic connections and to revive old ones. Doing so will put you in a more favourable position to find out about new roles quicker.
Focus on your personal brand
Take this time to revamp your LinkedIn profile, resume, and cover letter strategy so it’s easy for an employer to see your value quickly. Create a personal branding statement that clearly outlines what you do, how you do it and why, and what you’re looking to do next. This will allow your brand to resonate with people in your network so they can pass along opportunities that are a great fit for you.
During this coronavirus pandemic, it’s important to focus on what you can control—improving your skills and reaching out to your network. You can lay the groundwork now so that when the crisis is over you have opened doors and rekindled relationships.
Our clients are still hiring, and we’re still looking for some great talent. If you’re looking for an exciting career opportunity, don’t hesitate to get in touch today.
