your guide to getting hired in the post-pandemic workplace...do you know who’s hiring? the...

1/15Your Guide to Getting Hiredin the Post-Pandemic Workplace

Your Guideto Getting Hired

in the Post-Pandemic Workplace

Your Guideto Getting Hired

in the Post-Pandemic Workplace

Opportunity is out there – are you ready to seize it?

Keep reading to learn the rules of engagement for finding a great

job in our new economy:


How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted

your career?

Did you lose your job?

Shift to working from home?

Change to a more in-demand field?

Take on a side gig to bring in extra income?


America is Getting Back to Work.

Are You? As the economy powers back up, how can you be sure

that you and your career are not left behind?

What skills will be in demand? How can you build them?

What industries are growing and hiring?

Can you shift and reimagine your existing skills?

What will it take to set yourself up for success in the new economy?


Here’s How to Get Started in Your Post-Pandemic Career

Empathize With EmployersThey are as uncertain as you are. Hiring managers don’t know how their business will weather the storm, what adjustments they will need to make to the way they do business. They may be afraid to take a risk on hiring right now.

Follow up on any applications you submit, but don’t be surprised if it takes a while to hear back. Put a plan B into place to generate some income while you wait for hiring to ramp back up.

Tip: Staffing agencies have short-term and part-time opportunities available immediately for you to earn extra cash while you search for a direct job.

Be Patient With the Process It might take some time to find just the right job, whether you’re looking to advance your career or just get back to where you were before COVID-19 reared its ugly head. You may need to take a step back, make a lateral more or prove yourself in a temp-to-hire position. Take a step back and a deep breath.

‘


Here’s How to Get Started in Your Post-Pandemic Career

Get (and Give) Support Video software like Zoom and Facetime have found a lot of uses through the pandemic. One more way to leverage this technology is by scheduling regular meetings with friends or colleagues. If they are also looking for work, you can share tips and leads or just commiserate with others who know what you’re going through.

Get Your References Together Prepare in advance, so you’re not scrambling when references are requested. The good news – employers generally only request references if you are a serious candidate. The bad news – you can still derail your chances if you don’t take it seriously. Choose people who can speak of your skills and work ethic positively.

Check with them in advance to ensure they are willing to provide a reference and give them a heads-up if they should expect a call. Managers, mentors and colleagues are the way to go; recommendations from friends are not nearly as impactful.

‘


What Does Your Resume Say About You?

Whether you’re looking for a change or the perfect job in your field, the secret to grabbing

the attention of hiring managers is a resume that’s on-point.

Look at your resume from a hiring manager’s perspective.

What stands out?

What red flags do you see?

Would you hire you?


How Can You Showcase Your Value? Skills and experience are great, but you must highlight your selling points to employers if you want to get hired.

Polish Your Presentation While you have time to retrench, take a look at your resume, cover letter template and interview attire. It’s a great time to make sure you’ve got everything in place you’ll need to get the interview and impress hiring managers.

Promote Your Brand Clean up and update your social media. Look upon it as an opportunity to showcase your personal brand. Treat your LinkedIn profile like an advertisement directed toward recruiters. Lock down or clean up Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Check that there are no public posts you wouldn’t want a potential boss to see.

Broaden Your Network Meeting people in person is off the table for now in many areas, but that doesn’t mean you can’t stay in touch with people in your professional network and even increase your reach. Let everyone in your network know you are looking. Follow your favorite companies on LinkedIn and Facebook and find out if you have connections in common who can help you get in touch with decision- makers.


How Can You Showcase Your Value? Highlight Remote Work Experience One positive aspect of the pandemic-forced isolation is that many employers have opened their eyes to remote work possibilities. Companies that were afraid to let go of the control of having people in the office. If you had success before or during the pandemic, make that clear.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions Just like before the pandemic, it’s essential to understand the job, the company, and the culture. If it’s not the right fit, it’s better to find that out in advance. Get specifics on how the company is protecting employees in the wake of the virus.


Do You Have These In-Demand Skills?Employers value candidates with highly transferrable soft skills like these. Take every opportunity to showcase these skills – in your cover letter, on your resume and during the interview.

Flexibility The importance of being able to roll with the punches and adapt to change has never been more evident.

Technical SkillsWhere would we have been during the pandemic if we couldn’t quickly shift to remote work? Employers will be looking for workers who can deal with a digital environment.

Creativity Employers increasingly recognize that they need a wide range of perspectives to gain the insights they need to adapt to a changing economy. Can you make an impact?


Do You Have These In-Demand Skills?Leadership No matter where your job falls on the org chart, leadership skills are in demand. Whether you’re supervising a team or inspiring co-workers, the ability to motivate and inspire others will always set you apart.

Emotional Intelligence The ability to connect and empathize with others will serve you well in the interview and on the job. Employers increasingly recognize and look for this trait.

Lifelong LearningWith no telling what changes the post-coronavirus reality will bring, a commitment to continuous learning is essential to adapting and remaining relevant no matter what your career path. Take online courses to build your skills, earn a certificate or increase your marketability.

Tip: Need help identifying or showcasing your transferrable skills? A staffing recruiter can provide objective feedback and help you put your best foot forward.


Are You Prepared to Shine on Video?Even when social distancing recommendations fade, video interviewing is likely to be here to stay, at least in the initial screening process.

Follow these tips to make a great impression:

Check Your Background

• You don’t have to clean your whole house, but your background should be tidy, professional and distraction-free.

• Adjust your device or computer so you are looking straight ahead or up slightly. Looking down does no one any favors.

• Look into the camera, not at the person on the screen for ideal eye contact. Never sit with a window or light behind you. It will throw shadows and you’ll look like you’re in the witness protection program.

Check Your Tech Check your Wi-Fi strength to be sure you have the strongest possible connection for your interview. The quick and easy way to do this is to look at how many bars are in your Wi-Fi connection indicator. If it’s less than full strength, or you’re not sure, reboot your router and try to move closer to it. Typically, the closer you are to the router, the stronger the signal. Download and test the video software the interviewer uses and familiarize yourself with any features you might need to use.


Are You Prepared to Shine on Video?

Practice With a Friend You don’t have to do a full mock interview (It wouldn’t hurt, though!). You need an honest assessment of your on-camera presence. Wear what you plan to for the interview. And ask:

• Is there anything in the background that shouldn’t be? • How is the lighting? Can you be seen clearly? • Do you need to move closer to the camera or further away? • Does your clothing choice work? Does it clash with or blend into the

background? • Can you be heard clearly?

Dress for Success For most jobs, you won’t need a full suit for a video interview. That doesn’t mean you should wear a hoodie either. A collared shirt is ideal, and be sure it is wrinkle-free (at least the part you can see on screen!).


Do You Know Who’s Hiring?The pandemic hit the economy hard, but it also revealed a ton of opportunity. It often depends on what you’re looking for.

Do you need a part-time or temporary position to stay afloat financially until things get back to normal? Are you hoping to be hired back into your field or make a career change?

Consider these growing fields:

Healthcare Most jobs involving patient contact will take additional training or education, but if you put in the time, positions from CNA to RN to allied health are rewarding career choices. But hospitals and other healthcare facilities are full of positions requiring a lot of skills from cleaning to purchasing to administration. Nearly any job you can find in other sectors can also be found in healthcare. Examine your resume to see how you can transfer your skills.

Retail This sector has seen mixed results. If you previously worked in retail in clothing sales, you may want to research how you can transfer the skills you gained to grocery or hardware. Shortages, plus a need for social distancing, have opened more opportunities for those willing to work with the public.

‘


Do You Know Who’s Hiring?

Shipping and Delivery Look for opportunities in warehouses and distribution centers for products that consumers order online. Delivery hubs and services are growing as well (UPS, FedEx, etc.). Check their websites for nearby opportunities. If you have a reliable car and enjoy working independently, you can deliver restaurant takeout or groceries to homes and businesses.

Online Learning Parents are struggling to keep their children’s education on track, often while juggling a full workload from home. If you have any experience teaching and tutoring, your skills will be in demand.

Technology Companies If you’re an experienced coder or an engineer, chances are, you’re not having trouble finding work. But keep in mind that these companies also hire for non-technical positions from administrative to HR.

Side Gigs If you need to get some income into your bank account right away, leave no stone unturned. Companies need people to clean and sanitize. Families may need childcare as they return to the office. Companies in sectors like medical devices may need assemblers. Be creative.

‘

Tip: In any economy, industry or location, a staffing recruiter

can connect you with employers that are hiring immediately – including jobs that are never

posted or advertised!


Make Temporary Jobs Part of Your Career Strategy

Crisis of any kind can lead to soul searching. During the pandemic, many people took the time to consider whether they were in the right career or job. Temporary jobs allow you to try other options if you’re considering a change. They can also help you support yourself while you search for the perfect job.

What Can a Staffing Firm Do for Your Career?

• Get your foot in the door at your target employers • Critique and help you polish your resume • Prepare you to make a great impression on interviewers • Be part of your career network • Advise on skills you should add to reach your goals • Prevent employment gaps • Help you adjust your resume to target specific jobs • Earn money while you search for full-time work • Provide access to unadvertised jobs • Show off your skills in a temporary-to-hire job

If you’re ready to get hired in the post-pandemic workplace, reach out to an experienced staffing

recruiter for expertise and advice.

your guide to getting hired in the post-pandemic workplace...do you know who’s hiring? the...

Documents