The pandemic has negatively affected the job market across industries and there have been countless cost-cutting measures taken by companies. This has led to a projected post-pandemic unemployment spike that may be attributed to permanent market shifts. Many low- and middle-income positions may never come back even as the economy recovers. This is why you need to ensure that you remain an irreplaceable and valuable asset both now and after the pandemic.
Be Swift and Proactive
Job hunting has never been this competitive and this is no time to be complacent. If you decide to wait for that dream job with a dream company, then you will likely remain unemployed. You need to be proactive.
Instead of waiting for a vacancy on job boards reach out to hirers. Even the small, everyday actions like generating more visibility on job search platforms could make all the difference. Join talent communities on social media and follow up on correspondences. The hiring process has become so fast-paced that you could easily miss out on an opportunity simply by failing to respond to an e-mail or missing a call. Be proactive and vigilant and aim to become a credible, high-potential, and appealing hire.
Upskill and Specialize
With so many opportunities available to upskill, if you’re not constantly improving you could easily fall behind. It’s essential to stay sharp and be aware of new developments in your field.
The best way to upskill while working is through online learning, and many sectors now offer courses that can be done remotely. Two such sectors are healthcare and marketing. While the demand for nurses is higher than ever, the way care is delivered has changed drastically — with each area of healthcare looking to hire specialized personnel. Online learning has made the career progression much easier for nurses, as they can take an online RN to BSN program which is 100% coursework. This qualifies them for specialty career paths like healthcare leadership, family assessment, nursing informatics, and genetics, and they can take the course while still working as a registered nurse. Similarly, there are numerous online digital marketing courses and workshops available for marketers who are looking to venture into digital marketing. These courses will teach them essential skills in search engine optimization, affiliate marketing, and mobile marketing. There’s a wealth of upskilling and learning opportunities right at your fingertips, no matter what industry you’re in, so maximize them and give yourself a competitive edge.
Widen Your Network
Gone are the days when all you had to do was send in your CV and wait for a response. To even be considered for a job, you need people to get to know you. Networking has always been important— it gets you into recruiters’ minds for open positions. But without face-to-face interactions, you must find alternative ways to connect with people.
Be your own public relations team. Keep in mind that there are tons of recruiters who are also online, not to mention employees who could possibly refer you to job openings. Get on sites like LinkedIn and refresh your profile. Through these platforms, you can position yourself as an industry expert by responding to queries related to your field. Don’t hold back on networking both online and in person. By making contact and being proactive with individuals in your field you will better position yourself to be considered for a job. And even if they can’t offer you something they may be able to give you valuable advice or pass on your name to companies looking to fill positions.
While there’s no way to know for sure what the post-pandemic work situation is going to be, it’s important to stay prepared for anything that may come your way.
Written by Rita Jeanne
Exclusively submitted to hirewell.com
