While you're social distancing, leverage these tips to improve your job prospects
Needless to say, the global health crisis has affected the economy and our nation's workforce in an unprecedented way.
We acknowledge that you may find yourself in a stressful situation, whether that's due to an unexpected layoff or the need to adjust to working from home.
As we adapt to a new normal and states start to partially reopen, use this time wisely to position yourself for career success in what will inevitably become a competitive job market.
1) Stay Calm
Focus on what you can do right now instead of stressing about circumstances that are simply out of your control.
When we are in a panicked, chaotic mindset, we often don't think clearly and make rash decisions out of a feeling of desperation.
It may be easier said than done, but remember that the situation we're going through is temporary.
2) Take Time to Reflect
As we mentioned in Thrive Global, you want to have a firm understanding of where you want to go so you don’t start climbing up a ladder only to realize that it’s leaning against the wrong wall.
Now is the optimal time to pause and reflect on where you want to take your career moving forward.
- Were you truly happy in your most recent role?
- What does your ideal job look like?
- Are you leveraging your strongest skill sets?
- If money weren't a factor, what would you like to be doing?
To start your reflection, take the 16 Personalities test based on the Myers-Briggs assessment, which can provide pointed insights on suitable career types and work environments for you.
The Enneagram is another effective tool that paints an (often unusually accurate) picture of what motivates you and the types of environments you’ll thrive best in.
3) Update Your LinkedIn Profile
Given that we will be social distancing to some extent for the foreseeable future, much of your networking will likely take place online.
If you weren't particularly active on LinkedIn, now is a great time to update your profile and start engaging.
Consider writing an article, sharing relevant content, or commenting on posts.
Read this post for tips on how to make the most out of LinkedIn when you're short on time (or not a fan of social media).
4) Reach Out to Your Network
Studies show that the most effective way to land interviews and job offers is through personal connections.
There's nothing to be embarrassed about if you lost your job recently.
However, be sure to take advantage of the time you have available to reconnect with friends and colleagues instead of isolating yourself.
Doing so will make you happier, and you never know what opportunities they might be able to connect you with.
Even if you are currently employed, there’s no harm in being proactive!
5) Prepare Your Resume
The New York Times reported that the rise in initial unemployment claims for the week of March 9 was "larger than any week-to-week movement that occurred during (or since) the 2008 financial crisis."
Due to high levels of uncertainty, the US job market will likely become significantly more competitive as we recover from the current economic crisis, making it important that your resume is top-notch.
To help you stand out from similar applicants, create an achievement-based resume that highlights how you added value to each organization you were a part of.
Whenever possible, you should incorporate metrics and relevant KPIs to back up your claims.
Even if jobs are in short supply now, getting your application materials ready and optimizing your job search strategy will help ensure you to hit the ground running.
About Resume Pilots
Resume Pilots is an award-winning executive resume writing firm and a proud member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches. Our previous clients include CEOs and senior executives at the world's leading companies.
As a professional services firm, we take your reputation seriously. We are committed to delivering writing excellence and superior service while operating with integrity and discretion. Recruitment firms we partner with also trust us to consistently deliver quality documents for their clients.
Our writers have studied in the Ivy League and other top-tier universities and have strong writing backgrounds coupled with industry experience.
Here's how we can help you:
Resume, Cover Letter, and LinkedIn Writing Services: If you are looking for end-to-end support, hire one of our professional resume writers to rewrite your documents from the ground up.
Executive Resume Template Downloads: If you plan to prepare your own resume, consider using one of our classic, ATS-friendly resume templates for Microsoft Word.
To learn more about our services, book an introductory call with our founder here or email team@resumepilots.com.
About the AuthorMatt Glodz
Matt Glodz is the Founder and Managing Partner of Resume Pilots and a Certified Professional Resume Writer.
After studying business communication at Cornell University, Matt worked within Fortune 500 companies, where he noted that qualified candidates were frequently denied interview opportunities due to poorly written documents.
At Resume Pilots, Matt combines his business and writing background - which includes prior work for a Chicago Tribune publication - to craft resumes that give his clients the best chance of landing interviews. He works with clients ranging from CEOs to recent graduates and has been writing resumes for over 10 years.
He has been quoted on numerous business and career-related topics in outlets including Business Insider, CNBC, Fortune, Glassdoor, The Ladders, and Thrive Global.