10 Job Hunting Tips for Finding Work During COVID-19
Job hunting is never easy, and in the time of COVID-19, it’s downright horrid. With much of the world in lockdown because of the pandemic, jobs are scarce. The United States saw a record high unemployment of 14.7% back in April 2020. It has come down to around 7% since then, but there’s no doubt that American citizens are still struggling to find work.
That’s why we have put together a list of the best job hunting tips during COVID-19. Logging onto the standard job-hunting websites and dropping resumes just isn’t going to cut it anymore. Let’s take a look at what you can do instead to improve your chances of getting hired during the pandemic.
Getting Familiar with Remote Job Hunting
The first, and probably the most predictable tip, is to get acquainted with remote job hunting. One of the major impacts of COVID-19 is the shift to digital and remote working. Social distancing rules mandate offices are shut down, and employees work from home. As such, companies are diverting resources to make Human Resources virtual and online.
This effort includes online recruiting and training. The main change in this regard is that the entire recruitment process is now online. Whereas before the pandemic, only a part of the process was virtual. The more comfortable you are with online recruiting and working, the better chances you will have of getting hired.
Make Your Resume Noticeable (Especially for AI)
It’s always a plus point to have an impressive resume. But in the 21st century, it’s not just humans you’re trying to impress. The current job recruiting website like Monster, Indeed, and ZipRecruiter uses artificial intelligence to analyze candidates’ resumes. That’s because AI-powered recruitment tools allow companies to enhance recruits’ quality, save time through automation, and make unbiased hiring decisions.
For you to get noticed by these AI-systems, it is necessary to make your resume noticeable for the bots that crawl it. AI-bots ‘read’ the resume for keywords that the recruiters program them to read. These keywords reflect the qualifications and personality traits that companies are looking for. To find out the keywords for your relevant industry and make sure to use them in your resume.
Don’t Let Job Titles Fool You.
Imagine you’re scrolling through job postings and never click on one because the job titles don’t match your skillset. Well, that’s a mistake. That’s because, according to top recruiting managers, job titles are often misleading about the actual nature of the job.
For instance, a job posting about ‘Search Engine Optimization Expert‘ would also entail WordPress competencies and marketing automation skills. The trick is to read into the position to find how your skillset can fulfill the requirements. Because at the end of the day, you don’t need to meet every criterion. You only need to qualify to a stage where you can have a conversation about what the job entails.
Stack up on IT Skills
If there was ever a time to expand your skillset, it is now. The lockdown is providing people with the perfect opportunity to learn new skills. If you’re looking for a new job amid the pandemic, learning new IT skills is the best step. That’s because IT is one of the few industries that has sustained performance despite the global crisis.
A part of this survival is thanks to dependence on digital technologies. The IT sector was already acquainted with remote working and hiring even before the pandemic. That’s why this industry was able to cope with changes better than others. Not to mention, the future is rapidly moving in this new direction. IT and digital are poised to be some of the fastest-growing industries in the next decade. So brush up on your IT skills and improve your chances of getting hired!
LinkedIn isn’t a Bad Start.
LinkedIn is still the preferred medium of professional communication for millions around the world. That’s why developing and maintaining your LinkedIn profile is never a bad idea, especially when you’re looking to connect with recruiters. After all, the platform attracts 675 million users monthly, which leads to millions of job placements.
The best way to make your profile noticeable on LinkedIn is to complete all of it. Even though this seems like obvious advice, you’d be surprised how many people leave their profiles incomplete. A complete profile provides recruiters with the information they’re looking for when hiring. Secondly, you can pass LinkedIn tests that showcase your knowledge regarding specific tools.
Helping the LGBTQ+ Community Get Hired
COVID-19 has been especially hard on the LGBTQ+ community. That’s why the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce is holding the Virtual LGBTQ+ & Allies Career Fair on January 28th. This career fair is an effort to help LGBT+ individuals find meaningful jobs with employers who have pro-fairness values. Not only will individuals get the opportunity to connect with potential employers but also expand their professional connections network. Click here for more details.
Remote Work Experience is now Valuable.
There’s no better time to flaunt your remote working experience. Companies are scrambling to find people who can fit into virtual working environments. And if you happen to have experience working remotely, then job hunting during COVID-19 should be easier for you.
And if you don’t have that experience, then try opting for some freelance work. Freelancing is usually done remotely and provides a decent income stream if you can accumulate reputation and credibility. Not to mention, it offers a valuable remote working experience that can help catch the attention of employers.
Certifications & Courses Never Hurt
What’s the best way to show employers you’re a qualified candidate? Courses and certifications. Especially those that are from well-reputed sources. If you want to get started in digital marketing or data analytics, check out Google Analytics Academy. It’s a good starting point for beginners, and with commitment, you can become a certified expert. That is sure to get you more opportunities for getting hired.
Be Where the Jobs are
Another tip that seems obvious but is often overlooked is to be present everywhere. Make sure you have an account everywhere, from LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and Job.com to CareerBuilder, Indeed, and Ladders. The more platforms you are active on, the more chances employers come across your profile. But your profile must be complete and accurate on all sites.
Cast a Wider Net for Job Hunting
There’s no getting around the fact that jobs are scarce right now. That means you are going to have to step out of your comfort zone. Your job-hunting strategy has to be to maximize your reach during COVID-19. That’s why increasing the skill set goes a long way in allowing you to apply for newer jobs.
Follow Up & Be Patient
Finally, the last tip is to follow up on the interviews you do get. It’s important to remember that the people on the other end are also human. They are just as stressed out as you and dealing with a lot of things. That’s why it’s a good idea to reach out and remind your recruiters you are still available for hire. And then comes the hard part, waiting. Recruitment processes are complicated enough without a pandemic raging. So it’s probably going to take some time for companies to get back to you. Just hang in there!
Finding jobs is never an easy task, but you are sure to succeed with enough grit, determination, and forward planning. Hopefully, the pandemic will die down soon enough, and things will be back to normal in no time.