8 Tips for Finding a Job During the Pandemic

The rise of COVID-19 and the ongoing pandemic has completely altered the workforce of America.

Unfortunately, as confirmed cases continue to rise, it is imperative to adapt to the new landscape when it comes to searching for new opportunities.

It may seem easy to lose hope in such a stressful time, but fear not! Many industries are actually growing and thriving during the pandemic. Along with this, job opportunities are continuously growing all across the country.

Read on to see our top tips for finding a job during the pandemic.

1. Broaden Your Search- Jobs Are Out There!

The pandemic has been ongoing for quite some time now. Although the unemployment rate in the U.S. was quite high at the start, numbers have been much more positive in recent months.

“At the start of the pandemic in April, unemployment soared to 14.7%. However, as of October, it has since dropped to 6.9%.”

– U.S. Department of Labor

These numbers may seem small, but they are quite positive in showing the recovery of the American workforce! Statistically speaking, jobs are coming back and certain sectors are growing at a dramatic rate.

“Many industries are in a great period of growth right now. Landscaping, telehealth, Tutoring, and even Drive in movie theaters are all thriving!”

– U.S. Chamber of Commerce

The important thing to remember with all of this data is that jobs are indeed out there and ready to be filled. However, these jobs may require you to broaden your horizons and consider career changes. Any change can be hard, particularly a career change, but try to broaden your job search and see what you can find.

2. Organize Your Dedicated Workspace.

Keeping your work and home life separate while being at home is crucial, particularly if you are currently job searching. Make sure to do your best in order to keep things separate. Here is a checklist to make sure that you have a productive dedicated workspace!

Dedicated Workspace Checklist

1. Can you close the door to your workspace? If no, try to find a place that is more private. This will help reduce noise and possible distractions from occurring.

2. Is your office comfortable? If you are looking to make your space more comfortable, make some upgrades! Get a new chair or computer monitor, it will make all the difference.

3. How is your computer running? It may be time to get a new one! If your computer is slow, try to uninstall unnecessary programs.

Your workspace is key to having a productive and happy job search, as it is where you will be spending a lot of time. Use these tips to maximize comfort while you search!

2. Organize Your Dedicated Workspace.

Keeping your work and home life separate while being at home is crucial, particularly if you are currently job searching. Make sure to do your best in order to keep things separate. Here is a checklist to make sure that you have a productive dedicated workspace!

Dedicated Workspace Checklist

1. Can you close the door to your workspace? If no, try to find a place that is more private. This will help reduce noise and possible distractions from occurring.

2. Is your office comfortable? If you are looking to make your space more comfortable, make some upgrades! Get a new chair or computer monitor, it will make all the difference.

3. How is your computer running? It may be time to get a new one! If your computer is slow, try to uninstall unnecessary programs.

Your workspace is key to having a productive and happy job search, as it is where you will be spending a lot of time. Use these tips to maximize comfort while you search!

3. Clean Up Your Resume and Cover Letter.

While you are searching for a job, it is important to remember that your resume and cover letter are paramount. Spend some time adjusting both documents, as they can often make or break a job application.

“A recruiter looks at a resume for an average time of 6 seconds.”

– The Muse

Given that there are only 6 seconds to impress, make sure to put the important information right at the top of your resume. This includes relevant skills and work experience that is directly tailored to the job that you are applying to.

Here are some other quick tips to help!

QUICK RESUME TIPS

1. Form a cohesive personal brand that employers will remember. Use unique colors and fonts to make your resume stand out, while still remaining professional.

2. Use quantitative data to explain the impacts that you made in previous roles. For example: “I helped create emails for a company” is not as impactful as “I managed email marketing initiatives that impacted over 100,000 thousand consumers”.

3. Tailor your resume to the position you are applying for. This will not only help you get through automated systems, it will make sure that the hiring manager knows that you are qualified.

4. Network With LinkedIn

LinkedIn is the best online networking platform that is used today. Having a professional profile and large network on LinkedIn will help you enormously during your job search.

“Experts say that up to 85% of job opportunities are found through networking. Many of these positions are not even publicly listed.”

– LinkedIn

Remember that a great profile on LinkedIn requires a bit of work! Here are some quick tips to get started, and check out our blog on how to become a LinkedIn Power User!

LinkedIn Quick Tips

1. Get a Professional Image- Get a nice headshot taken to give a great first impression!

2. Utilize Custom Messages- When connecting with someone, write them a custom message to increase the chances that they will reply!

3. Ask for Endorsements- Ask past colleagues for endorsements on your skills. This way, everyone will know about your talents!

If you are interested in learning more about LinkedIn, check out our blog post on the topic!

5. Improve Your Zoom Skills

Virtual meetings are the new normal! Although they may seem a bit daunting at first, you can be a teleconferencing pro in no time. Make sure to do some research before your interview or meeting about how the program works. Follow this quick guide to make sure you are ready.

Quick Virtual Meeting Tips

1. Test Your Hardware- Make sure to double check that your mic and webcam are good quality! Investing in these will make sure that you look professional if you have an interview.

2. Update Your Software- Double check that your software is up to date. No matter what programs that you use, make sure to use the most updated versions.

3. Check Your Background- Your background is important! Make sure that you look professional by using a premade background, or staging your office to look nice.

Along with this checklist, make sure to test everything. Work with a friend or colleague and do a practice call before your interview or meeting.

6. Utilize Scheduling and Goal Setting.

Job searching can often seem like a completely overwhelming and stressful task. However, it can be made much easier if you split the process into manageable pieces. The most important action that one can take when job searching is to develop a schedule and a plan.

When developing your schedule, include clear and attainable goals. This will allow you to easily keep track of your progress and fight against job search burnout.

A good example of a job search goal would be:

“I am going to apply to 10 jobs every week, with customized resumes and cover letters for each.”

This goal is attainable and specific, which is why it is effective. The most important thing is to give yourself goals which will allow you to succeed.

7. Learn New Hard Skills

If you are unemployed or employed job searching right now, one of the most important things that you can do is to learn new skills. One of the easiest ways to go about this is to look at job listings that you are interested in.

What certifications do these positions require?

What experiences do they say is a bonus?

Are there any relevant programs that you don’t know?

Make sure to ask yourself these questions and figure out if there is anything else that you could learn. Not only will this help you have a more relevant resume, but it will teach you relevant skills that will come in handy when you get the new job!

8. Go easy on yourself.

Even though unemployment numbers are improving, it is a very stressful time to job search right now! Remember that you are doing all that you can and that it is enough.

If you are feeling stressed out due to your job search, here are some of our top relaxation tips.

Relaxing Activities While Job Searching

• Get outside! Take a break from the search and go for a walk.

• Spend more time with your family. Family is so important!

• Get a new hobby. There is always time to get better at something new.

We hope that these tips help you during your pandemic job search. Let us know what you think on our Facebook or Instagram!

As always, if you are currently looking for a job, browse our current listings!