We are certainly facing unchartered waters due to the current pandemic, and people in a job search may feel like they are navigating without a compass. The job search process is riddled with uncertainty, and our new normal is creating a level of complexity that most of us have never seen. Some job seekers have reported just “laying low” and not “bothering” anyone until the situation resolves and the economic impact is clear. Others are pushing ahead aggressively, hoping for closure on roles they were actively interviewing for before things get worse. People who have been in search for months are starting to doubt their viability as a candidate given these conditions and those who were considering a career change have similar doubts.
I am speaking to people every day who fall into each of these categories. Here is my advice to all of them as well as you for how to stay positive and productive during this trying time.
- Check in on friends and colleagues. I often write about using natural touch points to reconnect with your network. Usually they represent happy occasions such as a holiday or a birthday. But during stressful times, it’s equally important to check in with your network. Consider contacting friends and colleagues to make sure they are healthy and see how they are faring under the circumstances. Empathize with your colleagues’ concerns regarding what is going on in their organizations and how work is being redistributed. They may not be able to get back to you right away or chat for an extended amount of time, but they will remember the interest you showed in them and their situation during this difficult time. That will help strengthen the relationship in the future and potentially manifest itself in a willingness to help you in your search somewhere down the line.
- Study what is happening in your industry and/or functional area and become a thought leader. We are entering into a new normal which will require innovation and new ways of doing business. How can you leverage your skillset to be part of the solution? What ideas can you share with peers and industry leaders? Virtually every industry will need to change to remain agile; healthcare, retail, fitness, education, just to name a few. Operations, finance, technology, marketing, sales, and human resource leaders will need to think differently about every product and program they put in place. Do you have ideas on how to make an industry or function more resilient? Use platforms such as blogs and LinkedIn to make recommendations. Displaying thought leadership now may open new doors and conversations with hiring managers and decision makers later.
- Fine tune your job search marketing collateral. During this unprecedented time of social distancing, work on job search activities that don’t require direct interaction with your network. Now is the perfect time to polish your resume, practice your pitch, review your responses to interview questions, and research companies that could be a good future fit for you.
- Remain patient. If you were actively interviewing or close to an offer before this crisis, expect an altered timeframe or the potential that some roles may be put on hold indefinitely or even eliminated. If you are following up with decision makers regarding opportunities that are in limbo, be exceptionally cognizant of the tone of your emails and texts. It’s imperative that you acknowledge the hiring manager’s current dilemma and empathize with their situation before asking for a status update about a role. Failing to do so might make you appear tone deaf and even have them questioning if you are still the right fit for the role. Words matter, and written communications are often interpreted differently than verbal ones. Ruthlessly review any messaging to make sure it doesn’t appear that you are only interested in yourself.
For readers who have lived through 9/11 and the financial crisis, you have been through social and economic downturns before. You have taken the hits, bandaged the wounds, and persevered under what appeared to be insurmountable odds. And you bounced back. Maybe not exactly the way you wanted to on the exact timeframe you had hoped for, but chances are you emerged with a certain resiliency that will help you move through this next crisis. Stay positive, lean on others for support (figuratively for now!), and stay safe!