I think we all canagreeCOVID-19completelythrewus for a loopin 2020. Thousands lost jobs and the economy suffered significantly.Now,asthe economyrebuilds, manyjobseekersaretrying to figure outwhat has changed in the hiring processand how to effectively job search.If you are in the market for a new job,check out thesefiveways to navigateajob searchpost-pandemic.
ResearchJobMarket Trends
Researching the job marketin your fieldwillgive you:
- Agood ideaofwhich job roles are suitable for you.
- Agood idea ofwhichindustry sectors you shouldtarget.
- An idea of what industries arethrivingand which are shrinking.
- Acompetitive edge when going on interviewsbecauseit shows initiative.
Effectively PrepareforVirtual Interviews
Social distancinghas made virtual interviews more common than ever before.Although many willinterviewvirtually for the first time,hiringmanagers andrecruiters arestillseeking the same interviewetiquettevirtually,which can be successfully done by:
- DzԻܳԻܻ徱15 minutesbefore the interview.
- Conductlighting and background checksto ensureyou can be seen and thatthereareno distractions.
- Dressas if you are interviewing inpersonbecause appearance still matters.
- Ensureyourresumeis up to date andhighlightsyourskillsandeducation concisely.
Expand Your Network
Networking helpsover 80percentof job seekers get their foot in the door.Thisalone speaks volumes to the power of connecting with other professionals.According to,it wasalsofound that:
- 70percentof people found a job through connectionsacompany.
- 80percentof professionals believe that career success can be elevated through professional networking.
Ways to Network
- Joinclubs or organizations at your current or former institutions/employers.
- Joinprofessional associations and attendconferences, workshops,andnetworking events.
- Join relevant LinkedIn groups for your alma mater or career field. Consider joining thetoday to network with over 15,000 UMGC alumni.
Remember:When networking,it’simportant to develop a strategy to effectivelydevelop relationshipsand overall to grow as a professional.Are you interestedin learning more about networking?
Utilize and Maximize LinkedIn
LinkedIn has become the hotspot for all things professional development and networking. Did you know over 700 million users and 20 million jobs are on LinkedIn?This professional networking siteis a great place to seekout professionals in the field, apply forsuitable jobs at a variety of employers,and establisha professional online presence,which willopenthe door to endlesspossibilitiesforfuture employment.If you are interested in learning more about how you canutilizethe power of LinkedIn, check outour recent article onFour Ways To Leverage Your LinkedIn Profile.
Attend Virtual Career Fairs and Hiring Events.
As we are still determining what the new normal will look like, companies and organizations are predominately hosting career fairs and hiring events virtually. Itispopular forcompanies to host intimate hiring events for specific roles,which is a great way to network with people who have the same positions of interest in mind. You can find virtual career fairs and events by doing a simpleonlinesearch orbychecking out websites likeEventbrite!for the upcoming UMGC Virtual Recruiter Session on June 25.
Job searching can be challenging, tiring, and time consuming, butwith consistency, determination, and an effective job searchstrategy, youwill beon your way toyournext careeropportunity!As always, keep in mind that t Career Services is here to help you plan and achieve career success.with a CareerAdvisortoday.
Alyssa K. Cole is a career advising specialist with UMGC Career Services. She holds a Master of Arts in Education from Louisiana State University, a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and is the CEO of AKC Career Consulting, which is a writing and career consulting agency that provides affordable assistance to college students, recent graduates, and entry-level working professionals.
