How to institute successful job searching habits during the pandemic.
With all due respect to the current situation, it goes without saying that this is an extremely difficult time and the pandemic is very serious. I do not wish to downplay the seriousness or to minimize the tragedies that have occurred as a result. If you have been effected, either personally or professionally, you have my sincerest condolences in mind. With respect to job searching, it is still a good time to find a new opportunity! Although much is changing in the market, many things still hold true when it comes to job searching.
Before you submit your application, consider getting back to the fundamentals!
Update your resume. Be sure that all of your resume content is updated and up-to-date. Make sure that the resume is ATS friendly and is optimized for getting exposure through search engines and social media (this includes key word usage, formatting, aligning your resume with the job description, and anticipating relevant search terms that will be used by recruiters).
Yes, create a Cover Letter. Customize your cover letter to the specific position you are applying to. This is your chance to “speak” to the employer and separate yourself from the competition. Create a strong introduction, share your qualifications, and request to speak with the employer at their earliest convenience. Take it a step further and be sure that you utilize the same header (your Name + Contact Information) across all of your documents.
Create a Professional References document. It is no longer customary to include “references available upon request” on your resume. Create a separate document with the references (Name, Title, Company, and contact information). Take it a step further and be sure that you utilize the same header (your Name + Contact Information) across all of your documents.
Update your LinkedIn profile. Be sure that all of your LinkedIn content is updated AND up-to-date. Revisit your profile picture, too! The same sort of logic that applies to updating your resume holds true for your LinkedIn profile (Keyword driven, where necessary and possible, formatting, use of digital branding, and utilizing "search appearances” to gather information that will assist you with optimizing your profile). Join relevant, industry-related groups. Share content. Follow leaders. Connect more. Talk to humans!
Know what resources to use to find job openings.
Are you looking for positions on Craigslist? Glassdoor? Google? While these resources can be helpful, you may want to consider their purpose and whether or not it is the strongest resource possible to find all of the relevant and most recently published job openings. Also, consider the job title you are searching for. Is the job title described as something different at other companies?
Create accounts with (and upload your resume to) Indeed.com, CareerBuilder.com, and Monster.com and check on employer sites directly for openings. Also, for recruiting purposes only, job applications are becoming less effective as the primary source of getting noticed by a recruiter/hiring manager. Yes, fill out that application but, then consider what are you doing to network and connect with human beings.
Think outside the box.
Create a short (1-2min) introductory YouTube video. You can do this with your cell phone video and upload to your YouTube account. Include the link in your resume as a hyperlink. Embed it to your LinkedIn page.
Create a web page all about you and your accomplishments. Include a link on your resume. Web pages are fairly cheap and easy to build nowadays. For a nominal fee, you can use sites like Squarespace, Wix, or Wordpress to create a sharp looking web page (most of the functions are drag and drop and super easy to customize). You can also decide to purchase a custom email address.
Send a hand written letter to the employer with your resume. Include a small (theme based) gift for them to remember you by. Just a thought - could be impactful.
Fail to prepare? Prepare to fail.
Rethink your interview strategy. Practice. Practice. Practice. You should be looking at your delivery, non-verbal cues, and overall ability to tell your story in a concise but impactful way.
Behavioral Based Interviewing is commonly used as a factor in evaluating candidates. Know what this is and how to construct your answers to these questions.
Do not wing it. Period.
Now is also the time to get prepared for virtual interviewing. Get familiar with Skype. Get familiar with ZOOM. Get familiar with FaceTime.
Consider inviting friends and family to a meeting (just for fun or to catch up during isolation). This way, you can get used to navigating the features and understand how to join, turn on your video, and unmute yourself (at a minimum).
You should be aware of your audio/video and how you sound and appear to others. Consider your background and, most importantly, eliminate distractions (like clutter, anything inappropriate, and noise).
The job market may be shifting to incorporate more remote work (where applicable). There will likely continue to be a strong recommendation for social distancing. No matter what, even if there is a shift in how business is conducted, the fundamentals will remain the same.
Before completing the application, consider the above recommendations and make a plan!
If you are searching for assistance with updating your professional documents or need career coaching guidance, please visit us at redlineresume.com/services to find out more! Or, schedule a free consultation now!
