#JobSearch : Job Searching During the COVID-19 Pandemic- No Time to Stop; Definitely Time to Start!
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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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?
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