For job seekers and graduates launching their careers, maintaining patience, persistence, positive thinking, and sanity during ‘normal times’ are challenging at best. Adding the current pandemic with economic upheaval, personal challenges, and social isolation intensifies the anxiety and uncertainties of the job search process.
However, there are activities the graduate, job-changer, or unemployed can do to feel that, in life, there are some things still under their control. Outside of a great resume, below are suggestions about how to prepare yourself to restart a powerful job-search campaign in any economy – including in a COVID-19 economy.
Work on your personal branding statement.
Your Personal Branding Statement is the response to the “Tell me about yourself." request at an interview, networking event, or anytime you interact with a new acquaintance who might want to know about who you are, what you stand for; what you do. A powerful statement tells your story and communicates your uniqueness and value powerfully and concisely. Crafting this statement takes considerable time and is always changing as you evolve. Now is a great time to work on yours.
Upskill through LinkedIn Learning.
LinkedIn Learning offers expert-led, online videos to help you enhance your job-search campaign with up to date information, tips, and skills for your employment toolbox.
Review and update your LinkedIn profile.
Revisit your profile to update and enhance your Introduction Card, Experience Section, or Skills & Endorsements. It might also be time to add sections to showcase your accomplishments.
Explore new occupations and careers.
Become familiar with career development and labor websites. For those seeking a career change, learn more about occupations that require your skills, strengths, personal qualities, and interests. A few great resources include O-NET OnLine, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and CareerOneStop.
Improve your basic computer literacy and skills.
Find online programs that are available to help you increase the skills many employers require or seek in their candidates: Operating Systems (Windows and MacOS), Office suites (Microsoft Office, G Suite), presentation software (PowerPoint, Keynote), spreadsheets (Excel, Google Spreadsheets, etc.), and social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.)
Discover and visit professional association websites.
If you are looking for people who work in areas that share your interests or pursuing training or education to prepare for and break into an industry, exploring professional association websites provides a wealth of information. Some have job boards advertising employment opportunities. You can start your search at the Professional Association Finder at careeronstop.com.
Update your network list
Check out LinkedIn, your college alumni center, or professional association websites to make a list of contact details in your industry or the career field you might want to connect with post-COVID.
This current pandemic is indeed a human tragedy: medically, emotionally, socially, and economically. The negative news updates are overwhelming. However, we can all take positive action to do something. I believe that whatever you can do now to be prepared for the future will facilitate your next career move. Setting a daily action plan and making progress towards achieving career development goals will give you a better sense of control and increased feeling of well-being during these uncertain times.
If you or someone you know are experiencing job loss, see how friends and family can give their support.
Give InKind is honored to feature educational and career counselor Dr. Ros Geuss. For information, please visit Fulfilling Futures.
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