The world has changed and now we all must learn how to change with it. Social distancing is the new norm. It’s everywhere, from grocery shopping to walking in the park, to interviewing for jobs. Life doesn’t stop just because we struggle, and your job search doesn’t need to stop either. If you’re not sure how to make that work, keep reading.
Take Some Time for Introspection
Before you leap into your next job search, it’s worthwhile to take a moment and reflect on your personal goals, values, and skills. Is your career aligned with who you are and what you’re passionate about? Social distance keeps us apart, but the silver lining of that reality is the opportunity to turn inward and spend some time considering yourself. If you’re passionate about what you do you will stand out from other candidates. If you believe in your work, it will show when you’re speaking with recruiters.
Decide what your target job is and then ask yourself some questions about it. What job title do you want? Which companies resonate with your values? Where in your industry do you want to specialize in? What are your must-haves for any job?
Update Your Resume and Your Personal Brand
Resumes should evolve and change. They are a reflection of your skills, abilities, and achievements. If you have spent some time looking deeply at yourself and where you want to go you may need to change your resume to reflect that. Take some time with this step. Resume writing can be daunting and it’s worth your while to perfect it. Consider using Career Resumes free resume critique to make your resume stand out from the pack. Also, take some time to look at your social media accounts. This is of increasing importance considering that social distancing means more and more of our lives have been pushed into the digital environment. Search for yourself online, make sure your social media accounts are locked down and only appropriate photos and media are displayed. Your first impression is key and social media is an essential part of your personal brand.
Related: Career-Friendly Social Media
Increase Your Skills During Social Distancing
We’re all at home right now. Travel plans are off the table. It’s the perfect time to pick up some new skills using distance learning. There are so many options these days. It’s surprising how much you can learn just by watching YouTube videos. If you’re looking for a more thought out curriculum there are a number of excellent options:
Practice Our New Virtual Reality
We haven’t quite become Blade Runner yet, but you do need to make sure you’re savvy to standard virtual meeting software. Zoom and Skype are common choices. Make sure you can use both. Take some time to practice with friends or relatives. Consider your background as part of your interview outfit. You wear a suit to an interview, and now your backdrop has become part of that. Consider creating a virtual office by choosing a plain wall and adding some decoration. Play with lighting to make sure you can be seen easily and not washed out by bright lights from windows.
In this era of social distancing, we are oddly closer than ever with co-workers cats becoming virtual mascots, and kids interrupting meetings. Consider having a plan for your new “co-workers” during any interviews or important meetings. If you do have a home office, you can close the door and make sure to let your family or housemates know that you’re in a meeting.
Related: Using Technology in Job Searches
Lastly, focus on peace of mind so that you can achieve your goals. There are lots of great meditation apps out there. It’s been shown that walking in the woods lowers blood pressure and helps with stress and anxiety. Take breaks from news and social media and spend some time doing things that recharge you so that when you do land that online interview, you’re at your best. Good luck, and we are here for you.
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