How to Successfully Re-Enter the Job Market After the COVID-19 Pandemic
Thousands of people across the country have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. If you’re one of the many professionals trying to re-enter the job market, this is an undoubtedly challenging time. Searching for a new occupation in a post-COVID-19 environment will require you to be flexible with your career goals. However, with sharp skills and a well-crafted resume, you’ll be on the right track to jump back into the professional world.
Below, we’ll discuss several tips for re-entering the job market successfully following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Update Your Resume
While it may be a few months until you start sending out applications, it’s best to prepare your resume now. After determining which jobs you’ll apply for, try to customize your resume to fit the desired qualifications of each. This may mean rearranging the skills listed to place the most relevant ones at the top. It could also involve changing the language to incorporate keywords that appear in the job description. Regardless of the tweaks you have to make, be sure that your resume is clear, uncluttered, and accurately describes your employment history and experience.
Here are a few more tips for updating your resume:
- Ensure all dates (including the end date of your most recent position) are accurate.
- Update the listed skills, including certifications, trainings, and degrees.
- Add any awards or volunteer work (if applicable to the job you’re applying for).
- Write an objective that clearly lays out your professional goals. This should change with every job you apply for.
Brush Up on Your Interview Skills
Interviewing can be tough, especially if you haven’t gone on one recently. Get a head start by conducting a few practice interviews with friends or a professional business coach. Record your mock interviews with a video camera and review the recordings when you’re finished. You may be surprised by what you see. For example, you may notice that you slouch, break eye contact frequently, or wring your hands nervously. This recording will help you pinpoint and correct these behaviors and give you more confidence in real interviews.
Be Prepared for Online Interviews
Many companies now conduct interviews (especially first-round interviews) online. So, as you’re applying for new jobs, be prepared to speak with potential employers via platforms like Skype, Zoom, GoTo Meeting, Facetime, and Duo. To accommodate for this, it’s crucial to maintain access to technology, either through a laptop, tablet, or your phone. Don’t feel comfortable with these digital platforms? Practice with a friend to get the hang of them.
Take Courses, Watch Webinars, and Attend Virtual Conferences
When you’re not busy looking for a job, take some time to refresh yourself on industry best practices. Attend courses, webinars, and virtual conferences, and, of course, add these experiences to your resume. That way, potential employers can see that you’ve gone out of your way to further your skills and knowledge on your own time.
Need to Pivot? Make a Plan
Pivoting from one career path into another typically requires a plan. Here are some tips for a seamless transition:
- Get the professional training and coaching you need to enter the new career path.
- Make contact with everyone you know in that industry and arrange for informational interviews if possible.
- Update your resume to emphasize transferrable skills.
Finally, before pivoting into a new career, take some time to decide whether this is really the right move for you. Changing your occupation may mean a loss in pay and momentum; however, it may also bring greater rewards and fulfillment in the long run. This kind of career change can be dramatic, so it’s important to ensure that it’s the right decision for you.
Consult with an Expert Corporate Online Life Coach
Whether you’re just beginning your job search or are settling into a new career, Strong Training & Coaching is here to help you succeed. Our online executive coaches can provide you with the guidance and career motivation you need to reach the next level. In addition to our business coaching services, we also offer strategic facilitation training, corporate training, team building, and more. Due to the nature of the COVID-19, Strong Training now offers online career coaching services too better accommodate and help during these times.
For more information or to speak with one of our business coaches, contact us today!