As the Coronavirus pandemic continues, there is some uncertainty as to what the future of the workforce will look like.
And unfortunately, many people are still either temporarily furloughed or laid off from work. Others may feel trapped in the jobs they do still have.
But now for the good news. Although unemployment rates are still high, the job market remains surprisingly strong. Now that companies are more versed in a fully remote workforce, they are continuing to hire for roles they may have put on hold.
It is totally possible to find a new job during COVID – here are a few tips to help you in your search.
Decide Your Urgency
While companies are certainly still hiring, the hiring process is trickier than before. Hiring managers are occupied with managing their now-remote workforce, and are faced with the challenges of virtual recruiting and interviewing. This may lead to a slower or more uncertain hiring process.
Further, companies may still be facing some financial uncertainty about what the future holds. If job security is important to you, you’ll want to evaluate a company’s financial decision now more than ever.
If you’re not in a hurry to find a new role, it may be worth it to wait it out. Even just waiting a few months gives companies more time to figure out new processes and their financial positions.
Ask Your Online Network
As with any job search, networking is so important!
Unfortunately, it may be awhile before you can enjoy in-person networking. Events like career fairs and professional club meetings are too large to meet in person during COVID, so you will have to get creative with your networking strategy.
On the plus side, there are a ton of networking opportunities online. Obviously, networking sites like LinkedIn are a huge asset to job seekers, but you can go even further than that. See if professional groups in your area are still meeting virtually, and make yourself known while on the call. You can even ask professional contacts to meet up for a virtual coffee!
And if you are currently unemployed, you can even update your LinkedIn status to let your network know of your situation and ask for help seeking opportunities. It’s surprising how willing people are to help job seekers. Of course, this does require you to be vulnerable about your position online. While asking for help online may not be the most comfortable thing, it can go a long way in helping out your job search.
Consider Gig Work
If you are temporarily furloughed, then gig work could be a great option for you. And fortunately, these companies are hiring now more than ever!
Companies like DoorDash, Instacart, and PostMates, and more are hiring for delivery drivers and personal shoppers. If you’re looking for some cash quickly, or for a flexible role, then check out these companies that are hiring drivers to deliver both food, groceries, and non-food products.
Ask About Remote Options
If there was one silver lining to the pandemic, it is that most companies were forced to adapt to remote work. This means there are more remote jobs available than ever before. If you’ve ever wanted to work remotely, this is a really good time to job search!
And even if a role is in person, you can always ask if they would be open to remote work at first. Many companies are offering flexibility in work locations to accommodate the concerns of their staff. It certainly doesn’t hurt to ask.
Other Considerations
And lastly, before you dive headfirst into a job search, stop to consider these things first:
Unemployment Benefits
If you are currently receiving unemployment benefits through your state, you will want to take time to do the math. Finding a job is great, but any additional income you make will affect your unemployment benefits.
This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. You may make much more at a job than you could make on unemployment, but just be sure to do the math first.
Safety
Secondly, consider the work environment of your new role and make sure it is something you are comfortable with. Is the new role in person? Will you be interacting with many other people? Does the company practice proper social distancing and protective equipment requirements?
Most of us never worried about being safe while working pre-COVID. Unfortunately, Coronavirus isn’t going anywhere soon, so make sure you feel safe and protected before you accept the role.
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