Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the past few months have been a frightening time, not just in terms of health, but also financial reasons. Millions of people across the country have been left jobless as businesses face monetary difficulties, with many having to close their doors for good. If you have been let go from a job in recent times, or have found yourself looking for a new job, one of the questions you may have been pondering is ‘when will I get hired again?’.
If the job market wasn’t competitive enough, the recent global crisis has led to millions more candidates fighting for job roles at once due to the vast unemployment rates, so it’s natural to feel concerned. It seems that the process is set to take longer than usual, so don’t panic too much about feeling out of depth, or losing faith in your abilities.
If you have recently been made redundant, or if you’re concerned you may be and you’re wondering how you can boost your chances of securing a new job during the COVID-19 pandemic, this guide should come in useful: 1. Carry out a self-assessment
If you were in a job role for many years, you may have been itching to try something new. Over time, your values and interests may have changed, so now would be the best time to browse for new opportunities that may be more fitting. There are plenty of websites which test your personality traits, as well as career quizzes to give you a brief idea on which career paths may be suitable for you. The roles that are suggested may never have been considered previously, so now would be an opening to research more about these new opportunities. 2. Work on your LinkedIn profile While you’re out of work, it would be a good idea to spend time creating a profile on professional social media sites such as LinkedIn. This platform gives you the opportunity to show off your expertise, skills, recommendations and work experience and gain visibility to employers and agencies.
You need to use your LinkedIn profile almost in the same fashion as a CV – the more details you add, the more likely employers will stumble across it and want to find out more about what you can offer. The website also allows jobseekers to hunt for opportunities and find recruiters.
3. Set time aside for job hunting Job hunting takes a great deal of time and effort. After weeks of searching and applying for roles with no sign of an interview, it’s easy to lose faith. However, neglecting the job hunt can play a huge factor in failing to progress in your career – so stick with it! It’s important to set a few hours aside each day to search and apply for jobs, so you don’t miss out on new positions which may arise. Employers often only browse through the first few applications and if a candidate is suitable, they will immediately ask them to attend an interview. As soon as a job comes up that you’re interested in, don’t hesitate to apply.
4. Smarter job searching
Some businesses such as supermarkets and convenience stores are actively looking to fill roles due to huge demands, which may be an alternative to think about until you can find a job that is suited to your skillset. Future employers will understand that you haven’t been able to find a more relevant role during the pandemic and allows you to earn some cash in the meantime, but it is always better to show you have been actively looking for work.
5. Top tip Start your job search on a Friday…. Recruitment agencies and most employers will actively add new listings just before the weekend to attract weekend browsing traffic. The best time to hit apply will be Sunday evening so you will show near the top of the list when it comes to Monday morning’s return to the office.
We hope this guide has given you some useful tips to think about if you’re currently on the lookout for new job roles. If you would like any further help and guidance, please do get in touch with us today.
