Job searching during the pandemic

Job seeking is stressful under the best circumstances. The ongoing uncertainty related to the coronavirus pandemic can make the prospect of looking for work feel almost hopeless, but job experts say you shouldn’t give up.

“Some employers are still hiring and the only sure way to not get a job is to stop applying,” said Biron Clark, who founded Career Sidekick and was a 2019 LinkedIn Top Voice for job search and careers. “If you stop applying, there is zero chance of you getting a job.”

In an effort to get you the information you need to know to #GetHired, I’ll be updating this page over the coming weeks and months with the tips and tools I learn from job search experts. My hope is that this can be an invaluable resource for you as you navigate your search.

Also, you'll notice instructional videos at the end of most sections. My colleagues at LinkedIn Learning have curated a wonderful learning path for people navigating a tough jobs market. You can see all those courses and learn more about them by clicking here.

▶ There are still jobs available:

News about the job market has not been positive over the past few weeks thanks to the pandemic, but that doesn’t mean jobs are not available. In fact, a number of employers, such as major retailers and pharmacy chains, are hiring hundreds of thousands of workers to address the demand created by the global crisis.

Anecdotally, recruiters and people who work in human resources have told me they’re still hiring for some positions. 

“This too shall pass,” said Society for Human Resource Management President and CEO Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. “There will be an end to this. If you take yourself out of the process, someone else may take that job you would get.”

Read more from my conversation with Taylor by clicking here.

LinkedIn Learning - Finding a Job

▶ Take care of your mental health:

Job seeking is stressful at any point in time, but especially now since most people are stuck inside and businesses are navigating an unusual and uncertain landscape. Lisa Orbé-Austin, a psychologist and executive coach at Dynamic Transitions

Psychological Consulting, says it’s important for job seekers to create a sense of normalcy during these times. Make sure you have a routine, for example. That can include a few hours of job seeking each day, exercise, meditation, reading and a lot more.

“Have control over what you can have control over in your life,” she said. Exercise is an example of something that you can control. “I’m still working out and trying to keep that in my routine even if I can’t go outside.”

Additionally, she said it’s important not to obsess over news about the pandemic since it mostly leads to anxiety and the feeling of being unsettled. If things get to be too much, Orbé-Austin, suggested reaching out to a therapist to talk about what you’re feeling.

You can read more from Orbé-Austin by clicking here.

LinkedIn Learning - How to manage feeling overwhelmed

▶ Don’t forget to activate your network:

As Career Sidekick’s Clark said, you should set aside time to activate your professional network. The task may seem monumental since a significant portion of the global population is stuck at home, but you shouldn’t let that keep you from networking.

Dorie Clark; who is the author of Entrepreneurial You, Reinventing You and Stand Out; said networking is important for several reasons. “The first, of course, is that it’s an important way to find out about job openings. A great many jobs are never posted publicly. If you’re strictly relying on publicly posted ads, you’d be missing out on a high percentage of opportunities.” Another reason is that members of your network can act as internal advocates at potential employers.

She suggested reaching out to close connections to let them know about your circumstances. Then, you can work on rekindling old relationships with past colleagues and friends. 

You can also create opportunities for yourself and others to network by hosting online meetups to discuss your industry or interests, for example. Additionally, you can look online for people hosting their own virtual meetups.

Clark also suggested increasing your digital presence by writing about your industry. “People don’t want to hire candidates that are risky. A great way to do that is to start writing about your industry or create a podcast,” she said.

Read more advice from Clark by clicking here.

LinkedIn Learning - Digital Networking Strategies

▶ Get noticed through your resume:

You can stand out through your networking, but it’s also important to make an impression through your resume and profile. So, I reached out to Jessica Hernandez, who is the president and CEO of Great Resumes Fast.

You’ll want to grab a recruiter’s or hiring manager’s attention by possibly leading with a specific position, she told me in an email. Showcase it by using industry-specific keywords and hard skills, which are the learnable ones you need to know to do the job. Use bulleted lists so there’s white space and they stand out. 

Especially now, it’s also important to show that you can overcome challenges. You can do that within your resume by answering three questions, said Hernandez.

1. What are some challenges you faced during your time in the position?
2. How did you address the obstacles you ran into throughout your work experience?
3. What was the outcome? Did you overcome? Was it a success? Can you add the result to your list of achievements?

Hernandez also suggests using “call outs” on your resume. Those are “keyword-rich sections of content with clear separations between sections to give each point its own space without becoming crammed with information.” 

Chances are that recruiters and hiring managers will also look at your LinkedIn profile. Hernandez said you should ask people within your network to share specific and impactful recommendations. Additionally, she said it’s important to make your profile a unique experience. Don’t just copy and paste your resume. 

Read more tips from Hernandez by clicking here.

LinkedIn Learning - Writing a Resume

▶ Be prepared for video interviews:

When a prospective employer reaches out to you, they will likely request a video interview since most in-person interactions are frowned upon during the coronavirus pandemic.

Sarah Johnston, who founded Briefcase Coach, says it’s important to prepare a space for video interviews. The space should be quiet with a neutral background. You should also make sure the camera is at eye level to avoid any unflattering angles. Also, don’t forget to look at the camera when you’re speaking — not at the screen.

A video interview is not an excuse to be unprepared. In fact, Johnston said you should be especially vigilant about finding areas of common interest with the interviewers since it tends to be more difficult to form connections over video than in person. Also, you can usually keep notes in front of you. Just make sure they're out of sight of the camera.

During these uncertain times, you should get a clear hiring timeline from the company as the process unfolds. You’ll want to know if they plan to bring someone on even if the company is operating remotely during the pandemic, Johnston said.

Read more tips from Johnston by clicking here.

LinkedIn Learning - Video Interview Tips

▶ Here’s what to do about finances:

Finances are a big concern for job seekers. After all, a lot of people look for a new job as a way to increase their salaries. Suze Orman, the well-known personal finance expert and New York Times best selling author, says money also has a lot to do with the success of your job search.

“Even before you go to look for a job, keep your expenses really, really low,” she said. “The less you need a job, the more powerful you feel and the more confident you feel when you go into interviews.”

Obviously, you can’t always plan on being financially prepared for a job search if you’re suddenly laid off or furloughed. In those cases, Orman recommends that you apply for unemployment benefits (more on that later) and use a credit card for needs, such as gas and groceries.

While no one likes to carry around debt, Orman said you shouldn’t be too concerned about putting needs on a credit card. The caveat is that you need to work on paying off those credit card balances once you get a job.

Read more advice from Orman by clicking here.

▶ What to do if you’ve been laid off:

While some of you may have already been looking for work, many others will be thrust into a job search due to a coronavirus-related layoff. Career Sidekick's Clark told me that people should try applying for unemployment benefits as soon as possible after a layoff.

For those of you in the U.S., you can find out about your state’s requirements, including exceptions made due to the pandemic, at CareerOneStop, which is sponsored by the Department of Labor. If you’re in Canada, you can find out about unemployment benefits here. Information on the UK jobseekers allowance is here. Australians can go to Centrelink. New Zealanders can check out this link. For other countries, it’s best to look on your government’s official website.

As for your actual job search, Clark suggests holding off on applications for a couple of days while you strategize and get a plan in place. You’ll want to activate your professional network and ask for letters of recommendation, for example. You may also want to think about using this job search as an opportunity to launch your career in a new direction.

You can read more of Clark’s advice by clicking here.

LinkedIn Learning - Recovering from a Layoff

▶ Finding a remote job:

 To find out about landing a job that would allow you to work from home, I talked with Tayo Rockson, who is a champion of remote working and president and CEO of UYD Management. 

Working from home or elsewhere isn’t for everyone, he said. “There are people who thrive better in an office environment. It doesn’t have to be one way or another.”

While many jobs are currently remote due to the coronavirus pandemic, Rockson said there are websites — like Remotive and We Work Remotely — that only list jobs that can be done from home or elsewhere. LinkedIn also offers a remote job filter.

Remote jobs often require people to be a bit sharper in some skills than if they were in an office setting. From an employer’s standpoint, Rockson said they’d want to hire people who are good at finding solutions, resolving conflicts, thinking quickly and dealing with change.

“You might be working with a colleague who may not be used to your style of work,” he said. “So how do you then communicate that?”

Rockson said it’s also a good idea to mention if you’ve had experience adapting to new environments in the past. People who studied abroad or were international students can talk about adapting to new surroundings while getting their work done, for example.

Read more about finding a remote work job by clicking here.

▶ What recruiters want you to know:

Like many of you, recruiters have been disrupted by the economic fallout tied to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. I reached out to many of them to see what advice they have for people trying to navigate this difficult job market. While I can’t highlight all of their responses, I highly recommend you set aside some time to look through their responses. You can do that by clicking here.

Many stressed the need for patience during this difficult time. Recruiters also said it’s important to reach out to recruiters — whether or not they’re hiring. You should be connecting with other people to expand your professional network, they say. Also, you should use this time to prepare and get your resume and other materials updated.

“When companies are looking to hire again, employers will remember those specific candidates who were able to be positive, upbeat, and try during this dynamic and uncertain time,” wrote Kirsten.

You can read more of their advice by clicking here.

▶ What should the class of 2020 know?

The class of 2020 now faces a difficult situation due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The unemployment rate has already jumped more in one month than it has in 45 years and many of those who are still working are stuck at home. Graduating seniors are obviously wondering how they should approach this strange reality as they finish out their college careers.

I reached out to internship coordinators and career service professionals at colleges and universities across the country to find out what advice they had for the class of 2020. They did not disappoint! Hundreds of comments were shared with me.

They suggest members of the class of 2020 network and refresh old connections. Additionally, they should build their online presence and be open to new opportunities.

“Starting a career is hard, it's complicated, there is no magic pill, there will be a lot of rejection and ghosting, and at some point it starts to feel personal. The only thing I can say is that it isn't personal, and you just have to do what you need to do to stay optimistic,” wrote Moses M.

You can read more of their advice by clicking here.

▶ Speaking of the pandemic...

My team at LinkedIn is curating a page of information about the pandemic from official sources, such as the World Health Organization. As someone who spent the better part of a decade as a health and medical reporter, I know that accurate information is among the best defenses we have in these situations. You can find LinkedIn’s page about the new coronavirus here: lnkd.in/virusfacts