How to Navigate Your Career During the Global Pandemic

Today, we are faced with uncertainty associated with the Covid19 pandemic. From mandatory lockdowns, to face mask requirements, to new decisions on vaccinations – the pandemic has changed our lives in many unexpected ways. This is especially true when it comes to the economy and the workforce. The pandemic has resulted in large-scale layoffs, increased numbers of people on unemployment, and even entire company closures. For workers who find themselves suddenly and unexpectedly out of work, such disruptions may seem uncanny. Yet, despite these unprecedented times, there are still silver linings present…if you are open to the possibilities. 

Interested in learning how to effectively boost your chances of enhancing your career, even during a pandemic? The following are a few helpful tips you can follow today to transform your career despite the global downturn.
 
Revamp your resume ASAP
 
A resume is a summary of your work experience, skills, and expertise. Whether you are planning to apply for a job in your current field or switch gears altogether, an impactful resume is needed to present you to employers. Be sure to improve your resume in a number of ways to include:
 

1. Visual appeal – Resume writing has changed over time, including their layouts, design and call for aesthetics. It is important to create a resume that is visually appealing, essentially a document that can market and sell you to employers in the same way that a brochure, flyer, or television commercial would sell a business’s products or services to their core audience members. The goal here is to entice the employer or hiring manager to read further. Be sure to update your resume’s format so that it is modern, eye-catching, and interesting.

 

1. Core content – Another equally important factor is your resume’s overall content. Is your information relevant, organized, and consistent? Does your document have correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure? Are you sure that your skills are properly highlighted? Be sure to go over your resume with a fine-tooth comb to ensure it is immaculate and error free. Also have a friend or family member read over the document to catch mistakes that you may not be able to see yourself.

 

1. Key word optimization – Is your resume applicable to your industry/field? Ensure the appropriate keywords are included in your document so they can beat today’s applicant tracking systems. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are Human Resource software programs used by employers to facilitate the employment process, making sorting through a pile of resumes much easier than doing so manually. Fundamentally, these systems gather, read, sort, and output resumes dependent on algorithms for keywords, including employment titles and industry buzzwords, contingent upon the employer’s unique framework for who they are searching for in a candidate.
   
   Applicant tracking systems are customized and prepared to pre-screen candidates before their resumes ever make it to the hands of a real person. These systems can manage a large number of resumes to determine who is the best and most brilliant candidate – those candidates the system deems qualified enough for a possible interview. When it comes to your resume, be sure to pull out keywords from the job descriptions you are applying to so that you speak the language of today’s employers.

 

1. Accomplishments-driven – Does your resume present you as a doer (someone who just shows up and does their work) or an achiever (someone who is a trailblazer and who lands accomplishments)? Achievement-driven resumes focus on the unique benefits that you bring to your employers. For instance, were you a part of any transformations, projects, process improvements, or other areas where the business was enhanced because of your direct contributions? Did you increase sales, deepen client relationships, improve staff morale, or make other significant and measurable contributions to your employers? Remember, achievements do not have to be those that you did solely alone. You could have been a part of a team or committee that enacted change as well. Be sure to include as many achievements as possible within your resume to stand out from the crowd – especially those that can be quantified (think numbers, figures, percentages, etc.).

 
 
Evaluate your existing skills and learn new ones
 
As the job market continually evolves, your skills also need constant cultivation to work to your advantage. Searching for a job can be very challenging in and of itself due to its competitive nature and now the COVID-19 global pandemic has added an extra layer of challenge into the mix. If you have not sharpened your skills in years, now would be the best time to pursue additional education, certification, or training to enhance your competitiveness in today’s job market (you do not want antiquated or obsolete skills to be a hindrance to your job search!).
 
To begin, first evaluate yourself by asking the following questions:
 
What are you good at?
What are your passions and interests?
What are some credentials that others in your line of work have that you do not?
What trends or market changes are emerging in your field?
What technology, platform or program knowledge would enhance your skill set?
 
Answering these questions can lead you to a plethora of resources including free webinars, online trainings, certifications, degree programs, and even community-based activities that can increase your marketability to future employers.
 
Reach out to your network and make new connections
 
Social media plays a vital role in a job search and your online presence matters when it comes to your chances for getting hired. Today is the best time to maintain an active status on your online profile, particularly on your LinkedIn account.
 
If you’re not on LinkedIn then you are missing out on a great opportunity. LinkedIn is a professional network with millions of users. It is a platform that can connect you with the right people who can provide you with insights into a new job or lead you to find a new career. Also, it is the place that recruiters hang out to source new talent. Recruiters use the platform as part of their recruitment strategy to find top talent, so a well-written LinkedIn profile has the potential to help drum up interest in who you are as a prospective candidate.
 
When it comes to your LinkedIn profile, be sure to include a catchy tagline, an interesting summary statement and full job descriptions for each of your positions. This is the best way to create an effective profile that is a true testament of your professional brand.
 
What’s more is that you can connect with others you know who are in your industry, deepen those relationships, let others know you are open to work, as well as make new connections – all by sending a quick connection request or direct message.  
 
Summary
Even though we’re amid a global pandemic, today could also be the best time for you to reassess your career, make changes and seek out new job opportunities. So, while the COVID-19 global pandemic may not end soon (this is yet to be determined), it is important to be prepared because as fast as reality changes, it is important for your adaptability as a job seeker to equally keep pace.

To learn more about How to Navigate Your Career During the Global Pandemic, schedule a call today to speak with one of our career experts. 
 
(P.S. Tired of spinning your wheels with your career? If you're ready to turn your resume into a hard-hitting marketing tool then take our FREE resume quiz today to see exactly which services are right for you!