It is a little startling to realize how much things have changed in the world in the last six months, isn’t it? Designer masks and ubiquitous spacing stickers on shop floors, and extreme caution about even getting close to one another, never mind hello hugs or handshakes which now are passé…just a few of the strange new realities we live with in these pandemic times.

The job search, too, has changed somewhat. While most of the usual practices remain the same, there are a few new things to consider if you find yourself in job-seeking mode. In this post I will outline thirteen items to ponder.

1. Consider your timing (do you need to do this now?)

Are you job- searching because your are bored or looking for challenge and want to make a move, or is it because you have to find a job? If it is the latter, then fair enough. If you don’t need to be searching right now, you may wish to hold off and to put your energy into skill development or resume revision or something that will be useful later when you do embark on a job search.

2. Network (online). Please do this without spamming people.

There is almost nothing more annoying than LinkedIn messages that pretend to be friendly connections but that very quickly turn into connections only aimed at selling you something or getting something from you. (Some people are pretty blatant.) So be careful in how you do this. Network nicely and genuinely and build real connections that are mutually beneficial.

*RANT WARNING*
If I WANT marketing or website help, I will seek it out myself and research who I might want to hire to do this work for me. There are HUNDREDS (well probably thousands) of people doing this work, and I am not going to trust some random person who out-of-the blue messages me to sell me their services, or who has looked at my website and decided all the things I need to do to change it because they, of course, are the “expert”. Truly. I find this kind of “connecting” intrusive, annoying and completely rude. I am happy to connect with people for real, who might have some interesting stuff going on, but don’t sell to me. Just don’t. If the internet had a door to slam, I’d be doing it.
*END OF RANT*

Back to networking online. You might spend time setting up (and then having) virtual informational interviews with people you’d like to meet with. (If you don’t know what an informational interview is, listen to Podcast Episode 150 for a more detailed explanation). An informational interview is a short 15-30 minute meeting you set up with someone who works at a company you would like to work at. You ask questions about the organization and their role and gain general knowledge while making a connection. This is easily done online using zoom or Skype or some other video conference program, and can even be done just by phone.

Informational interviews are highly effective ways to discern whether the company is a good fit for what you are looking for in a new job. Remember that you are the one who has to set up the tech and do the inviting, making it very easy for the person to say yes to your request. People are often very willing to give a bit of time to help, but are not usually interested in long drawn out sessions, especially with all the screen fatigue going on…so choose your tech (phone or screen) and set the interview up…and respectfully stick to timing you committed to in the interview invitation.

3. Stay in touch, be thoughtful/helpful (give before you ask for).

Don’t harass people. (See above rant.) Yes, follow up if you haven’t heard back from someone in a reasonable length of time…as in…a week or so, but don’t bug them two days later if you haven’t heard yet because chances are the person in on-screen a lot and is likely very busy.
Persistence is a great quality if it’s done respectfully.

4. Prepare for virtual job fairs.

Many of the events that used to be in-person events are now virtual. Search up any local job fairs in your area, register to attend, make sure your tech is going to work, research which companies might be participating and do your industry research. Are there organizations taking part that have job postings you qualify for and that you are interested in? If so, prepare a resume for each one (more on that later) and practice your 30 second elevator pitch so that you are not on the spot and stammering when you are invited to speak. This prep will be well worth your time.

5. Take time to Reflect (and maybe hire a coach).

Take our FREE Jumpstart Your Job Search challenge if you haven’t already, and do the advance work of really digging in to what you want and what you don’t want in a new career, before you launch yourself into the search mode. There is so much to learn online and so much you can explore, but first you need to know where you want to head and in what direction. This is critical work so don’t skip this step. Consider hiring a coach if you need help and someone to guide you through the process of figuring out what you want to do and how to get there.

6. Increase your skill set.

Is there is something in your skill set you are missing or that would give you a boost or an advantage over another candidate? Can you take the training online now…while you wait? Can you sign up and start so that you can at least say you are working on it, whatever it is? If you are not in a big hurry to change careers or find a job, take training that will increase your desirable skills on a resume. This would be a wonderful and beneficial use of your time.

7. Research who is actively in search mode for employees.

Not everyone is hiring right now. In fact, some companies have frozen previously started processes and are only just starting to think about getting them going again…and others have stopped altogether and will reassess in the new year. In order to not waste anyone’s time, find out what companies are actively seeking employees and go there first.

8. Consider the kind of work.

There are some industries desperate to hire that have shortages and need people yesterday. These might be:
essential services, health care, government, grocery services,
delivery services, technology companies…internet and computer services….and anyone producing plexiglass or PPE. Take a look at remote work too, because we have effectively proven to the world I think that we CAN work well in many cases virtually…so one of the silver linings of this whole thing might be that you could find meaningful work in another city or even country that you could do from home. Here is an affiliate link* to a website that might be of interest if you are looking for a flexible working situation.

* an affiliate link means I get a commission if you sign up for the FlexJobs service. If you do, thank you in advance!

9. Prepare a career portfolio

Well… what’s that you might ask? This is labour-intensive preparation that your future self will thank you for doing if you do it. This is gathering all your documentation into one place…virtual or hard copy or I recommend both. Scan transcripts or degree certificates, examples of work you have done…reports you have written, articles, photos or drawings of projects, ad any other supporting documentation a potential employer may wish to see.

A career portfolio is a package of all the documents you might want to show a prospective employer sometime in the future. It may include awards, achievements, testimonials, spreadsheets of how profits increased on your watch in your last position, and more. Do make sure you have permission to share these items before you do. Some of what you put together may include video footage of a presentation or a speech you gave. If you are in ministry, like I am, include some audio or video recordings of sermons. Have your reference contact information in your portfolio too, in case you are asked for references.

Put together as complete a portfolio as you can. It will take some time to prepare, but is well worth it.

10.Tailor your resume.

I say this every time and will again: Do NOT paper the town with the same document! You are wasting your time if you think volume will work over careful targeting and tailoring. Each position requires your resume to be slightly different and to reflect what the organization is looking for.

And, if you want to work remotely, include keywords
in your resume, in your LinkedIn profile and in your cover letter that indicate that.

I have a DIY resume prep course you can take if you need help making a resume that will get noticed.

11. Plan your space for virtual interviews or phone calls or job fairs.

What is behind you on screen? Skip the cheesy virtual backgrounds, (ok, some of them are kinda cool, but honestly, it’s not hard to tell they are fake), and create a clean real space behind you with some decent lighting.
Try to have it quiet, (no bonging clocks or barking dogs), and look at what you have in the background because EVERYTHING the person interviewing you will see is a communication. Try to keep your space neat, calm and consistent with the “you” you are presenting to the potential employer.

12. Make a plan for your search.

You can set weekly and daily plans for your job search, and give yourself limits and deadlines so you don’t get overwhelmed or discouraged. What do you hope to accomplish this week? How can you break the week down so that you are doing something reasonable and manageable each day? What day are you taking off? What time of day do you do your best work in and how can you maximize that time? A plan for your search can maximize your energy and be extremely efficient.

13. Be kind to yourself.

Get help if you need it. A job search can be a stressful, time-consuming and sometimes discouraging time as it is without a pandemic involved and Covid has made everything more stressful.  It takes persistence, hard work and a good village around you to support you. Reach out to friends and family and let them know you are looking because you never know who people might know.

If you would like to book a discovery coaching call with me to see if we might work together or how I can help, please do.

A job search during Covid is not harder, it’s just different. With some good reflection and thoughtful preparation, you can absolutely find that position you are dreaming of.

Stay healthy!

Jenn