7 Useful Tips For Job Hunting in 2020 and Beyond
This year introduces unique challenges to the job market.
Job hunting isn’t easy during years without pandemics. The challenges showing up this year are forcing many to rethink how they approach jobs and how to get them. Interestingly, even once the pandemic is over, some things about the job market are going to stay the same. There are good arguments that suggest remote work will still be a thing even after it’s safe to go back to the traditional office. What’s more, the skills that remote work required are going to be in greater demand.
Whether you’ve lost work due to the pandemic, or are seeking new frontiers, here are some excellent tips for approaching The Great Job Hunt for the rest of this year and beyond.
Include remote work experience on your resume
If you’ve done any remote work at all in the past, don’t forget to include it on your resume. It doesn’t even have to be that recent. What’s important is that you have the experience necessary to adapt to remote work options now.
What counts as remote? File sharing and collaboration count, as do video conferencing, project management/scheduling apps, and anything involving the cloud. Highlight any successful projects you’ve had a hand in that involved interacting from a distance.
While you’re at it, make sure you’re up to date on the latest WFH-related software making the rounds, especially video conferencing and cloud collaboration.
Audit your social media presence
Checking a prospective employee’s social media is pretty much standard operating procedure these days. People used to say, “Never post anything you wouldn’t want your mother to see.” You can substitute “mother” for “employer” now.
Check your Facebook settings to see who can see what. Update your LinkedIn profile to reflect who you are and what you can offer accurately. Sift through past Twitter and Instagram posts to make sure nothing could reflect poorly upon you to an employer.
Sharing is great. Oversharing could get in your way.
Focus on companies serving the most pressing needs today
Who’s doing the most business right now in your field? If you’re a tech person, you’ll find companies serving WFH and other remote employees need tech support, software development, systems maintenance, etc. Restaurants are stepping up their delivery options. Any place that is operating out of a physical location is spending more time and money on cleaning. Home health care is also up with fewer people visiting hospitals and clinics for the time being.
When browsing job listings, look at the newest opportunities opening first as those will be the ones with immediate needs. You’ll be less likely to take on a position that was only filling a temporary condition.
Understand that networking is still a thing
Cocktail parties and mixers at the downtown coffee shop may be on hold now, but that doesn’t mean networking is dead. Keep your eyes and ears open for online group Zoom gatherings, and try to get a link. While it’s not reasonable to have conversations with 20 people at once, these online gatherings have break-out groups you can join to chat with smaller groups of people — preferably ones in your field.
Zoom isn’t the only video conferencing service that is filling the virtual meeting space. Get familiar with other options and go hunting for hosted meetings that might work to your advantage.
If video conferencing isn’t your thing, check out any number of Slack groups, Discord groups, and similar apps to find folks you can talk shop with and maybe track down leads to your next job.
If interviewing remotely, use that to your advantage
Learn how to make the best use of video conferencing cameras and software. Remote meetings have been around for a while now, and there’s no excuse not to have a good handle on conducting yourself online. Mostly, remember to:
- Be on time
- Look professional
- Try to make your background look equally professional
- Avoid talking over someone else while in video conference mode
- Don’t fidget
- Avoid the temptation to multitask
- No eating on camera
- When addressing someone, look at the camera, not the screen.
Presenting yourself well online puts you at an automatic advantage over many. Use that.
Train up — for free!
Businesses and universities worldwide have been offering a wealth of free online courses and certifications during the pandemic and may continue to provide them well beyond. Suppose you think your career has stalled because you aren’t up to speed on the latest technology or marketing strategies, or need to brush up on your writing skills, or just want to learn photography or cooking. In that case, there is very likely a course available for you.
Digital Defynd has a tremendous online listing of free online courses and certifications and their ratings for each. You can view their Top 20 Best Picks or browse an exhaustive list of over 450 free online courses.
Be flexible in your goals and expectations
Manage your expectations. This may not be the time to get your dream job, but it’s still an excellent time to work your way toward that goal.
You might also want to be prepared for the possibility that many companies will be hiring on a more short-term basis as they try to determine their company’s future. Don’t let this get you down, though. If you’re a quality employee, your chances of being kept on increase.
Should you find yourself looking for work again due to short-term hiring, take comfort in knowing you’re not alone, and many companies realize the pandemic is affecting hiring practices across the board. Where job-hopping may have once negatively impacted your resume, it does less so now for the time being.
Be bold
There’s still some debate over how strong the job market is currently. Unemployment is at a high, but newspapers and online job boards are brimming with opportunities. While some areas are more competitive than others, even long shots are worth trying if the compensation seems worth it. Be bold.
By following some of the tips outlined here, you’re already putting yourself at an advantage.
Best of luck in your search!
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