Many companies continue having their employees telecommute to continue to fight the pandemic and save on office costs. If you are currently unemployed and job searching, you may be wondering if you should send resumes or decide to put off your job search for a bit.
Economists predict a recession. However, career counsellors suggest that it is best to stay in touch – even remotely – and show interest in any jobs that may arise. But it is important to differentiate our approach by recognizing the prevailing uncertainty.
Companies may not hire today because they are trying to figure out how their businesses will work online, but they will not stop hiring. Those who continue to build relationships and share ideas will be better off when companies start hiring again.
Most departments and managers are currently trying to organize as quickly as possible the day-to-day responsibilities of the workforce in many cases remotely, so it is obviously challenging to reach people during this transition.
Be prepared to see jobs get paused for long periods or disappear completely even if they were available for a while. This does not mean that they will not open again in a short period of time. They may want to hire you now, but they put the process on hold so they can see that the business will maintain the same level of income and that the consumers will continue to crave their product.
However, you can still stay active in your job search. The following tips will help you in this process during the pandemic and the financial slowdown:
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Network
Personal encounters have stopped, so try to find a new networking strategy. Look for professionals in your field and ask them for online events. Another idea is to search for professional groups on Facebook and LinkedIn. Both platforms offer a wide range of team options for each profession. For example, if you are looking for a job in marketing, you can join LinkedIn’s Global Marketing and Communications Professionals team. Subscribe to the chat, post and comment. Another good place to look is a remote job board where you can check online job listings. Make yourself visible. Just make sure you keep in touch by posting related articles and referring to topics that allow you to prove your experience.
Also, ask friends to ask you questions and comment on your performance in a fictitious online interview. Make sure you know how to position the camera so that the person you are talking to can see your whole face. Ensure your background is professional looking. Once you feel ready, invite business contacts to a “virtual cafe”.
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Spend your time to reflect on your situation
Use the time you have to think and reflect. Job seekers often send a resume at the first available opportunity or look without fully thinking about what they want to do next. Take advantage of the market slowdown by clearly deciding where you want to work. Think about how much you’re going to get paid. Focus on which companies you want to work for and which ones you can contact. The company may not be open yet, but you can network in advance. Be prepared for an adjacent position that will also leverage your experience and skills.
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Train and adapt to the new situation
Now you have plenty of time to work on strengthening your skills. Analyze job descriptions you are interested in. Next, think about whether you have the required qualifications. Perhaps you just need to update your skills with a continuing education course or if you are entirely lacking. Use this information to determine what you need to be a better candidate for the future.
Use the internet to your advantage. You can look for jobs that can keep you busy from home. It will allow you to stay productive while earning a significant amount of money for your living. There are so many professions that you can practice from the comfort of your own home. For example, one of these professions is of a voice actor.
This profession may have existed for decades, but now with the rapid development of technology, everyone is really given the opportunity to practice this creative profession. If such a career choice sounds interesting to you, you can contact voquent.com, which is always looking for new professional voice actors to hire them for their services.
It is crucial to focus on what you can control during a financial slowdown – improving your skills and communicating with your circle. You can lay the groundwork now so that you will find doors open when this whole crisis is over.
