- Companies are still hiring
Stay active on job boards, LinkedIn and company websites. Some industries may suffer yet some will thrive. This means that, whilst some vacancies will pause, filling critical roles will become urgent now more than ever. So stay alert to opportunities and be ready to apply asap!
2. Prepare for video interviews and video screening
Video is one of the fastest growing mediums for communications (TikTok, Insta-stories, IGTV, YouTube or Snapchat anyone?). In the last decade video screening and interviewing has become more and more popular too. Now with many organisations imposing ‘working from home’ (WFH), video interviewing will likely become essential to the hiring process. Get comfortable on camera! You don’t have to become a Kardashian to be effective.
3. Get your CV updated
Now that you are being saved the commute, there is time in the day to update your CV. Get your CV refreshed and ready for applications. Even if you can’t find the right job now, trust me, when companies are ready to hire again they won’t be hanging around.
4. Role play
Working from home and bored of Netflix? But seriously, ask your housemate to help you with interview role plays. Give them a list of 20 likely questions and get them to ask you five. You will often know within yourself if your answers were too long, too convoluted, or missed the point. It may feel silly, but thinking on your feet and out loud will equip you better than anything else for a real interview. You may also be surprised by how constructive your mates’ feedback can be even if they don’t understand your technical skills!
5. Do your research
Now is a great time to review your search. Create a log of what you have applied for already. Send a chaser for outstanding applications or interview feedback. Look at companies you would like to work for and look up their competitors to find further opportunities. Progressive companies hire for skills of the future as much as reactive vacancies. So if there is demand in one organisation, it could reflect a skills gap for that industry. There may be more opportunities than you realise!
6. Be prepared to consider an offer without face to face interaction
Companies are re-evaluating how important interpersonal skills are to fulfill roles, meaning that you could receive a job offer without having a face to face interview. So for the right person, critical roles may still get offered. This poses an incredible opportunity for companies and job seekers alike. Don’t compromise on what you value in a job role. Think carefully about what is important and what you know about a job before you accept an offer.
7. Your job search may take longer
Adversely, some organisations may still be nervous to make an offer without a face to face interaction at some stage. Also, getting a consensus from key decision makers may take longer as organisations adjust to new working practices. Together, this may impact the time frame of your interview process. Be patient. We are all trying to make the best of unusual times right now. If a company fails to stay in communication with you there is nothing wrong with you picking up the phone for a quick update and reconfirming your interest and availability.
8. Evaluate your finances
I have highlighted the importance of an emergency fund before. Be wise with your money during this time, particularly if your organisation is going through challenges at the moment. The great thing about working from home and self isolation means less money on transport, coffee, pubs, shopping and restaurants! If you need to shop, consider supporting local businesses where you can – they need your business more than ever now. However, be honest with yourself and put any money you might have spent on these things into a separate pot.
9. Up skill yourself
This is an excellent time to take advantage of online courses or online learning that you have been putting off. Udemy is a great website/app to look up for everything ranging from coding to photography. Adding these skills to your CV can keep you motivated and make you stand out from the crowd especially where they are relevant to a role.
10. Connect through LinkedIn
Use this time to create and optimise your LinkedIn page and connect with people you know and network with people you don’t. Reach out to old colleagues and contacts and see how they are doing. Digital connectedness in a time of WFH or self isolation is as valuable as ever. Plus, you never know what opportunities they may know about, so get networking!
Your job search does not have to be stagnant and this time can be used more productively than ever.