Covid-19 has affected the job market greatly over the past 10 months, it's ever increasingly hard to find work or to just simply change jobs. This is for many reasons, job security, fear of not being "good enough", salary expectations not being met... The list could go on and on.
Believe me, Covid-19 has taken its toll on many small businesses which has affected us personally. It's been tough, but we're always ready to take on the next challenge and you should be too.
Below are a few tips that could help you find your next dream job, of course if you need help with this you know where we are!
Sell your lockdown hobbies as skills
Covid-19 has created gaps in many CVs as employees are laid off or furloughed through no fault of their own.
If that applies to you then don't worry: employers will expect this and understand. The worst thing you can do is try and hide the fact as it will only lead to awkward interview questions.
Instead, make a feature of what you did during this enforced break – did you do some volunteering, home schooling or learn a new skill?
Employers are always impressed by people committed to their own self-development. You should also use the time to sharpen up your CV and boost your online profile. The worst thing you can do during a period out of work is to turn your light off and retreat from the world.
Maintain a strong online profile
Your online profile is your own personal shop window. How you present yourself on platforms like LinkedIn can make or break your chances of getting an interview.
Make sure your profile picture is professional and taken recently.
Join professional networks in order to build your connections in relevant sectors and professions.
Don't use them purely for self-promotion: share interesting articles and make considered comments about other people's posts. The more active you are the higher your profile will display on search pages.
Highlight your transferrable skills
If your industry has been decimated by the pandemic there will always be opportunities in other sectors.
Be a digital master
The pandemic has meant interviews and assessments are increasingly taking place online.
For some people this may be a source of relief – there are few more nerve-wracking experiences than being interviewed by a roomful of executives. But that doesn't mean you should relax or fail to prepare.
Ask friends and family to help you practice doing video calls on conferencing tools like Zoom.
Dress as though you are meeting the interviewer face-to-face. Look at the camera, speak slowly and clearly, and engage with the interviewer through your body language.
Finally, set yourself up in place where you know the WiFi signal is strong. If your connection fails you might not get a second chance!
Choose quality over quantity
There will be a temptation, particularly among those recently unemployed, to apply for as many positions as possible.
My advice is that quality always wins out over quantity.
In many cases recruiters will be receiving hundreds of applications for a single role. As an applicant you need to show why you are right for that specific role in that particular organisation.
A standard cut and paste application will not cut it in the current climate. Study the job spec and tailor each CV and cover letter to fit.
List your most relevant skills and experiences first – busy recruiters will look at each application for a matter of seconds.
Your number one priority is to instantly stand out from the crowd.
Stop! Are you making the right choice?
Before you trade your secure job for the thrill of a new challenge ask yourself: 'Do I really want to leave?'
When we go on holiday we plan our trip well in advance and pack the car before we set off. So why do so few of us do this with our careers?
Be honest with yourself about what your motivation is for leaving. Is there a problem with your boss and if so is the situation rescuable?
If you find the work unfulfilling can you seek new responsibilities or improve your own skills? Self-development through things like online learning can put you in pole position for a promotion and will impress prospective employers if you do decide to leave.
Once you've taken the decision to move on stick to it. Don't let your boss change your mind – your relationship will never be the same again.
If you do decide to move, it is vital you do your homework on a potential employer so you can judge whether they stand a good chance of being around this time next year and long into the future.
The retail, leisure, travel and hospitality sectors have been among the hardest hit by Covid-19. Company finances are in a desperate state and we still don't know when businesses will be able to fully reopen.
How do their finances look? Is their business model fit for the digital age? Do you have connections within the company you can talk to before you apply for the role? The last thing you want is to join a business whose future is insecure and where job cuts are likely.
Get in touch with us if you have any questions!