#JobSearch : Job Searching During the COVID-19 Pandemic- No Time to Stop; Definitely Time to Start!

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AGENDA:

  • ·       Conducting a Job Search during the COVID-19 Crisis- What has changed?

  • ·       Current State of  Today’s Landscape

  • ·       Job Search Tips-  What to continue/start/change/adjust to the current environment

  • ·       Network/Network/Network- Welcome to the Virtual World

  • ·       Informational Interviewing Tips

  • ·       Taking Control of the Job Search and Everything Else

 

Conducting a Job Search during the COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis- What has changed?

·       A new reality for all of us- Government/Employers/Hiring Managers/Employees/Job Seekers

·       Upheaval/Uncertainty/Status of Current Searches/Potential Lack or Slowdown of Information and Subsequent Follow-Up

·       Therefore- how do you change/adjust your current approach/strategy?

·       How do you keep the same pace as before when you now have a new family or other responsibilities?  Or do you?

·       Availability of practical physical space and managing technological needs for all family members to go to school/do remote work and job search at the same time

·       Patience and Motivation- How these become even MORE important in these constantly changing times

 

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Article continued …

Current State of  Today’s landscape

·       Typically in the past- our area has not experienced downturns as badly as other geographic areas (The Great Recession, e.g.) but that does not make us immune

·       Less Impacted Industries- Federal Contractors/HealthCare/Biotech/Delivery Companies; More Impacted- Hospitality/Real Estate- Other Examples

·       Will be downsides to the local economy- experts see bumps back by summer/more sustained by Fall

·       BUT- companies are hiring…at all levels…

·       Keep informed with LOCAL news sources- Wash Post/Local Business Journals/Local Academic Institutions and Think Tanks that provide regional updates and predictions

Job Search Tips- What to continue/start/change/adjust to the current environment

·       Do you have to take a step back and re-assess or can you continue with your current strategy and approach?

·       Time to review all your Job Search/Branding collateral- Elevator Pitch/Resume and Bio/LinkedIn Profile/Marketing Plan/Prioritized Networking Contacts/Cover Letters/Interviewing Stories

·       Practice- Review your current interviewing experiences- what can be improved? Write down answers to those really difficult questions

·       How to use LinkedIn during this time- Research people and jobs and companies/take training/spend more time reading in your groups/post articles to show thought leadership and do more “ liking/sharing and commenting” to help your algorithm

·       Reach out to Recruiters- Be available to them- as the market turns- they will want to be responsive to their company clients and have candidates- YOU- ready to present to them

·       Other “Gig Work” Considerations- Temporary/Contract/Consulting/Franchising

·       Volunteer Work- Can learn new skills or industry as well as helping others

·       Be confident and enthusiastic!

Network/Network/Network/Welcome to the Virtual World

·       This is probably one of the most important things that you can do now- that is in your control

·       Pick the best communication platform for the immediate need- text/email/phone/video (Zoom/FaceTime/Google Hangouts/Microsoft Teams/Company proprietary platform- AND prepare/test systems for all what that entails- connectivity/lighting/dress

·       All previous rules/guidance/advice on networking holds- BUT- give time in the beginning to address the current environment

·       Remember to ask how you can help them

·       Thank people/follow-up/pay it forward

Informational Interviewing Tips

·       Do these types of networking meetings take on new meaning during times of uncertainty and now during the COVID-19 crisis?

·       Why conduct?

o   Explore careers and clarify your career goal

o   Discover employment opportunities that are not advertised

o   Expand your professional network

o   Build confidence for a job interview

o   Identify your professional strengths and weaknesses

·       Steps in Conducting an Effective Informational Interview

o   Identify the occupation or Industry you wish to learn about

o   Prepare for the Interview- In general and then specifically with each person- Remember- You asked for time with this person- you must set the agenda!

o   Identify people to Interview

o   Arranging it- Remember Patience- Be assertive but not aggressive

o   Conducting the Interview/Do the Ask of the other person

o   Follow-Up

Taking Control of the Job Search and everything else…

·       ROUTINE– Establishing one and sticking to it is probably one of the most important things that you can do and control. Yes… it may not be the easiest…

·       SETTING GOALS/PRODUCTIVITY- Keep them nominal/expect some change/ set activities/ tasks in all areas of the search/Celebrate the Successes!

o   Keep posting for jobs

o   Update any collateral and repost to job boards

o   Keep Networking

o   Assume job openings are still open- how to do that

o   Think creatively- contract or consulting opportunities

o   Don’t settle on something.. yet…

o    Maybe a pivot to another related/adjacent industry

·       PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT/SKILLING UP– LinkedIn Learning/Other platforms- lots of free courses

·       BALANCE of Job Search and Other Responsibilities- Family/Self/Friends- How are you checking in/schooling for your children/

·       TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF/MINDSET/REMAINING RESILIENT/BEING CONFIDENT-Sleep/Exercise/Eating Nutritionally/Meditation

 

FSC Career Blog Author:  Lisa A. Colten is a versatile senior level Human Resources Leader/Consultant and Career Transition Coach/Consultant with extensive experience identifying and solving complex organizational problems and issues in the DC/Maryland/Northern Virginia Markets. She created and founded Éxzeto in 2013.

Feel free to review her website- www.exzeto.com for additional job search resources. She offers initial gratis consultation if you would like to work with her as a career or leadership coach.

FSC Career Blog | April 27, 2020