The COVID-19 pandemic has placed our nation in a health and economic crisis. Unemployment rates soared to an all-time high not seen since the Great Depression, leaving over 14 million Americans without jobs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national unemployment rate is at 10.2% as of July 2020.
Business owners both large and small faced the economic impact of the pandemic with many being forced to lay off employees and leaving some to shut their doors indefinitely. The forecast, although uncertain, shows growth potential. According to Reuters, the economy has regained 9.3 million of 22 million jobs lost between February and April.
Although jobs are not abundant in every sector, there are industries that have shown growth including leisure and hospitality, retail, and professional and business services. With these areas of growth potential evident, it may be time to dust off the old resume. The following tips and suggestions can be useful to keep in mind for a successful job search.
- Update your resume – Take the time now to draft an updated resume so you can quickly submit when seeing positions of interest. Make sure to highlight any new skills acquired, courses taken, and certifications obtained.
- Draft a cover letter and customize for each job – Resumes that are submitted with a cover letter have higher chances of being noticed by hiring managers.
- Revise your LinkedIn profile – LinkedIn is a powerful resource when searching for a new job; you can update your profile to easily connect with employers.
- Take online courses to build up skills – Take advantage of your downtime and brush up on some new skills that will set you apart from other job candidates.
- Network with family, friends, and member organizations – Spread the word and connect (virtually or using social distancing guidelines) to get job leads and communicate about your job search.
- Practice your virtual interviewing skills – Job interviews will mainly be held virtually, so it would be good to check possible video backgrounds and the best lighting to use for best results. Get yourself acquainted with the virtual platforms: ZOOM, Microsoft Teams, GoToMeeting, WebEx, Google Hangouts, etc.
- Consider part-time, freelance, contract, temporary, or remote jobs – Keep your options open during these times; you may not find your dream job, but a job that can help with a steady income during this time should not be overlooked.
- Search online job boards – Stay up to date with new job postings on top job search websites like Indeed, CareerBuilder, LinkedIn, ZipRecruiter, etc.
Keep in mind that job searching in a pandemic will be a bit more challenging than in the past, but we all have adjusted to many changes in the last few months since the pandemic. Stay positive, be patient, and continue focusing on your professional goals for the near future.