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The coronavirus has created uncertainty in just about every industry. If you’re looking for a job, you may be discouraged with all the news of layoffs and company shut downs. However, there are still companies looking for the right people to fill open positions. Many candidates who have been hired in the last few weeks started as remote workers and will likely continue for the foreseeable future. Others started work in facilities with limited capacity and staggered hours to keep offices from getting too crowded. Things are quite different than just a few months ago, but there’s still hope for your job search. Here are some things you can do to help you land your next position.
Build your digital profile
Now that many interviews are being held virtually, it’s important to have a complete and professional digital profile. LinkedIn is the best place to showcase your career expertise, so make sure your profile is up to date and includes details and accomplishments from your current and past work experience. There’s even the option to add photos and videos, which can really bring your profile to life. Don’t forget to add a nice headshot so that anyone who visits your profile can see that you’re a real person. If you don’t have a professional headshot, you can take a nice picture of yourself to use. Browse the site to get a feel for the kind of pictures that work for LinkedIn profiles.
If you want to take things a step further, you can share your thoughts in articles and posts to the LinkedIn network, helping you gain visibility. Not sure what to post? You can’t go wrong with topics like to business, your industry, and personal development. You can also share personal experiences and thoughts, but remember to be respectful and positive.
Consider a professional resume writer
If you find yourself in a job search right now, consider working with a professional writer. They are aware of the latest trends in resumes and can help you put together a competitive overview of your career.
If you’re not able to work with a resume writer, have friends, family, or colleagues look over your resume. If you happen to be laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you can add a brief bullet point on your most recent position stating so.
You can also reach out to recruiters you’ve worked with in the past or connect with news ones to get their thoughts on your resume.
Take time to learn
There’s no shortage of online content to help you learn and grow in this time. From webinars, e-books, videos, podcasts, online courses, and more – you can find a way to expand your knowledge in any topic that interests you. Whether you choose to strengthen old skills or gain new ones, your career search will benefit from your learning.
Networking
Now is a great time to reach out to current and former colleagues, while also building new connections. With everything going on, human connection is more valuable than ever. Check to see how they’re doing and share your own experiences. This support system could be crucial to helping you land your next role. Aside from that, it’s always great to know you have people you can turn to when you need to talk or to hear other perspectives.
Also look to join groups where you can connect with others based on industry, locality, or other interests and engage positively with other members.
The wrap up
The coronavirus has put many things on hold, but your career doesn’t have to be one of them. You can always, learn, grow, and connect to help move things forward and put yourself closer to the career you want.
Looking for a new position? Check out our listings across the country on the ICONMA Job Portal.
June 2, 2020