Coronavirus: Is job hunting totally pointless during the coronavirus outbreak?

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I go back and forth on this. 

There is no “logical” reason why anyone should stop interviewing and searching for a job during this coronavirus outbreak. 

  • We have the technology for individual and group virtual interviews. 
  • There are various positions and ways to conduct roles, responsibilities and performance evaluations remotely. 
  • We are in a global economy and everything that we touch is remote accessible.

Even said the above – we are also human. We see this as a financial crisis – and we inevitably shutdown both emotionally and financially in defense and with fear.

That said, I think that we will exist in a dramatically changed model in the near future, and that there are a range of opportunities that will come out of this.

The product is YOU

But, is job hunting pointless? Probably – employers are shedding long term employees to cut costs. Bringing on new ones is the last thing on their minds. But you need to stay on the radar.  You need to be using this time to be visible – so that when people are ready to hire, you are on the short list.  You need to be using this time to increase your profile, your skillset and your marketing skills.  The product you are pitching is YOURSELF.  The product you are selling is YOURSELF.  Therefore, you need to start marketing as such.

Things to be doing NOW

 These are things you can be doing NOW to see yourself as a contender when people are ready to hire:

  • Practice your interview skills by videoing your own interview
    • Ask friends to interview you webcam
  • Call previous co-workers and managers – to ask how they are doing and re-introduce yourself
  • Keep your LinkedIn resume and profile up to date
  • Post educational and procedural tips in your expertise and industry on YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn to illustrations your expertise in that position
  • Reach out to your current business networking contacts
  • Continue to grow your business network contact and influence
  • Attend your professional organizations and business networking meeting virtually.  Virtual meetings are on the rise and it’s currently very easy to meet new people.
  • Reach out to past co-workers, managers, volunteer position and offer your services at no cost.  Find out how they are doing and how you can be of service in their time of need.
  • Find out your skill gaps, and use this time to fill those gaps.  There are a plethora of online classes and certifications that you can complete.

Use this time to better position yourself for the next opportunity. Use this time to get yourself out in front of the contacts and trained for your next role.

If you need want to discuss in more detail, please setup a one-on-one consult session.

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Written by Laura Rose

Author of the business and time management books: TimePeace: Making peace with time – and The Book of Answers:  105 Career Critical Situations .  Laura is a business and efficiency coach that specializes in time management, project management, and work-life balance strategies.