2020-08-25 Comments : 0
Covid-19 waves have washed away the jobs of millions of people. Layoffs, pay-cuts, and hiring-freeze have almost left us high and dry. The same will continue post-retreat, till the economy stables. As a jobseeker, searching for a job in this albatross will be difficult and certainly needs a battle plan.
When a ship is in trouble, an able captain can sail it through troubled water. In the midst of uncertainty, here's what the job seekers can do to be best positioned for success and help to survive after the pandemic is over.
The best any of us can do is start anticipating what may come and begin strategically planning our next move.
1. Be ready for the future:
One of the biggest ways that can help employees survive in a post-coronavirus world is their ability to grasp computer skills. The pandemic has already brought huge digital transformations. Companies have switch to a remote workforce and they now need to find ways to make employees more effective in the new, virtual working environment.
Start by reskilling and up skilling yourself. Skills are required to motivate and manage distributed teams. You may have to compete in a fast-changing digital field with which you are unfamiliar. Now is the time to learn some technical skills, and also do not forget to improve the one that you already know. Smartphones and tablets play a crucial role especially for those who are working from home right now. Use mobile learning to craft your skills.
2. Streamline Your Job Search:
Even in this pandemic, Research employers and industries in active-hiring mode. Get an idea of which types of employers are hiring. Read the job descriptions carefully. Gather as much experience as possible.
Make sure you have a clear idea of what you are looking for and, where do you want to see yourself when this unpredicted crisis gets over. Explore, test, and gather information to make a decision. Research what jobs are available, and what the demands are. Find out what skillsets are required for that specific job. Then look into ways that you can develop and sharpen these skills, so you can speak about them confidently in interviews.
Sign up for a course or a remote volunteer project. Try high quality, free courses. This will strengthen your confidence and knowledge and give you a better insight into the professional market.
There are also other methods of learning, such as reading books and articles, researching topics, all of which can be done from the comfort of your home.
3. Utilize this time to think
Push yourself to think creatively. Explore more about the rises and falls of the market trends, gather information about the start-ups, the latest versions of your skills and updates that may be acquired on short notice, and everything that may seem relevant for you to talk about in your next virtual interview.
4. Boost your Resume:
It's a great time to dust off your resume and add remote-friendly keywords. Resumes with irrelevant information, filled with errors, non-standard format, unprofessional email ids, no 'keywords' included will go straight to the trash. Include all the relevant experience, skills, knowledge as 'popular keywords', so that you're just a search-bar away to the recruiter.
Outline all the information that you have accomplished in your life including all testimonials, certifications, short-term courses, merit records that you did in this quarantine or otherwise. Recruiter expects an employee who is multi-tasking and eases their work. So, they just want to know skill used, task completed, and results.
Mention specific video technologies you've used, such as GotoWebinar or Zoom. Specify your familiarity with document-sharing tools like Google Docs. Detail how you worked remotely.
Highlight relevant soft skills, too, such as time management, that demonstrate you can be as productive working from home as in an office.
Use an advanced format that would make your CV look organized, sleek and simple.
Connect with recruiters in the field you are looking to enter, as they can help you understand what skills you need for certain roles.
Own a professional, updated email id, choose a clear font, Use bullet points, highlight any important information you would like your employer to see.
Need help in writing a winning resume? Click Here
Read more :Tips for Best Resume Format
5. Write a creative cover letter
The cover letter is an opportunity to impress. This tells recruiter how the information in your resume fits to the specific position that you would be applying to. This is the right time to tweak your cover letter, make it more dedicated that efficiently synthesizes your current experiences with the business needs of the hiring authority
In a cover letter, highlight your skillset and how it applies to the new position. Also add your knowledge of the company and your excitement to join this job.
Sell your skills to solve the problems of the hiring manager and the organization.
Invest this time in researching the organization.
Need help in writing a cover letter, Click Here
6. Expand Your Social Networking Presence
Social media is a centralized platform of all professional development where employers are active for increasing network or maybe to search an employee who fits in certain position. For example, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram are the places where employers can see your profile and your information. It could be seen as an extension of your resume. Here, you can add all the relevant information, your work experiences, your skills, and compose an interesting section that tells about you to the people to make them read through the rest of your page. Upload a professional profile, one that attracts the recruiters to view your profile.
Now, what next?
Networking! Networking doesn't stop even if we are housebound. Connect to "people from the past," "people from the present" and "people from the future." Look up for people who are in the roles that you are looking to work in future. Reach out to your contacts with your new bio, and a check in to find out how they are doing in these crucial times, is a productive way to use time at home and also in an active job search. People are much more likely to be available to respond now while travelling is banned. Make sure to provide them any virtual assistance while having this exchange.
7. Conduct informational interviews
Connect and try to schedule informational interviews with people that you idolize, who can help you build yourself up to the next level. Have structured conversations with people who work at your target employers or within your fields of interest. It can be conducted by phone or a video chat/conferencing service such as Zoom.
Although an informational interview isn't a job interview, come prepared with a list of engaging questions.
Try to send messages or comment on any content you think you can indulge in and talk about. Share your thoughts, and indulge in further discussions. The more you connect, the more they'll remember you.
8. Work on Your Weaknesses
Make use of this quarantine to strengthen your weaknesses. Each one of us is blessed with a special skill. However, identifying and polishing it is our job. Only then, an employee will recognize, appreciate and value them.
So, think what is that in you which add values to the organization and how you can evidently prove yourself to be an asset to them.
In this uncertain future, not knowing when normal office operations will resume, communication plays the very important role. Handling their team and setting tasks is incredibly important to employers, especially when teams are working remotely.
Since working remotely, be careful while using the words and the channels when talking to colleagues. Having regular video meetings is a great way for the team to connect. Work on your tone of voice when sending messages and emails.
9. Get Out of Your Comfort Zone and be flexible
Due to Covid-19 the job market is down, so the demand for jobs exceeds the supply. Thus, salary offered will be low. But you need to be realistic in expectations from role and salary.
Focus on the skillset during your job search. But don't lose your resilience and self-belief. Never accept the job if the salary is too low, or a job position is way below your skillset.
10. Set up a regular check-in schedule
Since every in-person gathering have been replaced by virtual meet-ups, it's important to have a like-minded buddy or group. Helping each other through the job search, having a built-in mock interview partner, and most importantly, someone you are checking in with regularly, will keep you accountable and moving forward so you don't lose your goal during this challenging time.
11. Hone your leadership skills
In this uncertainty period, people with strong leadership qualities can lead a team to success. So, the employers are in search of people with strong leadership skills who can manage team distantly, inspire teammates to work hard and bring out the best is others.
Conclusion:
The covid-19 has brought many changes in our lives and there will definitely be more changes waiting our way after all this is over. As, work from home become a reality, the change has already begun. Let us adapt this change. People with the skill to adapt quickly to changes would be of great value to their workplaces. Stay positive!
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