The COVID-19 pandemic is hitting everybody hard. Social distancing rules are changing the way we work and play. Businesses are closing or cutting staff. Millions of people have lost their jobs and are looking for new opportunities.
It’s understandable why someone would feel frustrated or hopeless in a time like this. But we promise, plenty of employers are still looking for talent. The trick is to be smart and strategic about where to look for work, and how you’re apply for jobs.
How to Successfully Navigate the Current Job Market
In hard economic circumstances, it pays to have three traits:
- Flexibility to adapt as circumstances change.
- Patience to invest time and effort in building a stronger resume.
- Perseverance to stick with a plan until it delivers results.
The job you want might not be available in your area right now. Look for other ways to get experience that could be useful for the job you really want. For people who are just starting out in a new career, taking a pay cut or moving into an entry-level position might be needed to achieve your goals.
No job is forever, but it’s important to always do your best. By toughing out a rough patch you can build the strength and confidence to take the next step.
Here are a few other ideas you might think about:
- Work with an employment agency: Companies work with employment agencies to fill jobs that they might not advertise elsewhere. A good agency cares deeply about taking good care of the people who come through its doors looking for opportunities. An agency gets paid when you get hired, so they have plenty of reason to want to help. Do some research and contact the agencies in your area that offer positions matching your skills.
- Polish up your resume: Writing a resume can be hard work. It’s worth it! Your resume should tell your story in a positive way. Be sure to highlight the experiences you’ve had that the employer cares about most. Send your resume around to friends and family and ask for their feedback. The time you put into it will pay off.
- Talk about your job search with everyone you meet: Jobs are often right around the corner. Get in touch with old friends and old managers and let them know you’re looking. It’s a great chance to reconnect with people you might’ve lost touch with, and they might be looking for someone with your skills.
Take Good Care of Yourself
Being unemployed is stressful. Take advantage of the resources out there to keep yourself above water when money is tight. Apply for all the unemployment benefits you can. Call your credit card company to see if you can defer payments for a while. Get in touch with your landlord or mortgage company and ask for lower payment terms. It’s amazing how far a phone call can take you.
Connect Staffing is here to support all of our candidates and employees as we navigate the time of COVID-19. If you’d like to talk to a recruiter about the positions we have available, or how to begin building toward a new career, give us a call! We can be reached at (714) 622-4494 or through our contact page.
