Top 10 Tips For Finding A Rewarding Job Post COVID-19
Life after Coronavirus is a while away, and when we get there, it is going to look very different. Industries across the world have taken a huge hit as the global economy heads toward a crash, taking with them millions of jobs. In America alone, around 30 million people have filed for unemployment benefits since mid-March, with the UK and other European countries releasing similar troubling statistical trends.
Finding a job after Coronavirus will be tougher than it ever has been. Some jobs are even forecast to be obsolete by the end of the pandemic as we know it. So, how are you going to give yourself the best chance of finding work?
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Use this time to re-evaluate your personal ‘brand’
With the number of people that will be looking for work after COVID-19, you will need to stand out in the recruitment process. Use the time you have now to perfect your interview skills and resume. Build your portfolio (whatever area that may be in) to showcase your skills to potential employers. Make sure the version of yourself you end up putting in the ‘shop window’, so to speak, is the most employable version of you.
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Be open-minded – Apply for jobs that you wouldn’t have thought of applying for previously
Post COVID-19, there may not be a huge selection of jobs available in your specialist area. With businesses constantly looking to cut costs due to reduced cash flow, you may have to venture beyond your comfort zone. If work comes your way and it is not something you are entirely used to, then don’t be afraid to take it on. There may not be many other options out there. Sometimes temporary recruitments do wonders!
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Expand your skillset
Being adaptable and dynamic will be vital in a new working world after Coronavirus. There are many online courses, diplomas, and even degrees that you could add to your CV during the time you may have in lockdown. Try to learn a new language and add that special ‘bilingual’ status on your resume. This would be a great way to show employers your willingness to learn and to get some new skills under your belt.
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Think about self-employment
Freelancing is a way of creating multiple revenue streams from multiple clients, which many people feel is currently, and will be, a more secure form of employment, after COVID-19. Working from home was already on the rise before COVID-19 and will only continue in this vein.
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Be prepared to temporarily lower your salary expectations
Employers will be looking for ever greater savings after COVID-19. The main way this is achieved is by lowering company wage bills. Be prepared to apply for job contract offering a slightly lower salary than you would normally take, as many employers simply won’t be able to offer premium terms. There is always the opportunity of promotion and career progression when things begin to settle down.
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Network, network, network
Make sure to utilise existing contacts among your friends, colleagues, and business acquaintances. Also, maintain a presence on appropriate social media platforms such as Indeed.com, LinkedIn, and Facebook and use these tools to contact potential employers and keep track of job openings. Being in the right place at the right time can make the difference.
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Consider volunteering whilst searching for jobs
Volunteering is a great way to gain experience in relevant fields whilst also showing potential employers that you are a reliable, team player. Post COVID-19, many people are going to have to go the extra mile responsibility-wise in the workplace. Make sure they know you’re this type of person.
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Consider how certain businesses have treated their employees in a time of adversity
Another global spike of the virus later this year is possible. If this does happen, then you need to trust that your employer won’t make you redundant as soon as the going gets tough. When searching for jobs post-COVID-19, ensure that you research how companies are currently treating their employees as it’s likely they’ll treat you the same way.
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Consider a career change
Due to the impending global economic crash, you may have to consider going into sectors that are considered ‘recession-proof’. For example, government-funded, public sector jobs such as teaching, medical, and social care will always need more employees that are unlikely to face redundancy. Spend some time looking for IT jobs, or even search for a job agency that makes your life easier. Consider whether you can adapt your existing skillset to suit a public sector profession.
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If you’re currently employed, think twice before looking for a new job
If you are currently in a job, you haven’t been furloughed, and your company is holding faith in you as an employee, then stick with them. Financially, it’s likely you’re in a more stable position than many, and this will be important post-COVID-19. Remember, if you’re financially secure, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
