Losing a job is never easy. Regardless of the reason behind the job loss, it can have emotional, psychological, and financial repercussions too. 2020 has been a difficult year for economies and businesses around the globe. With most countries resorting to a lockdown as a means to curb the spread of the virus, most businesses were impacted with lower revenues and profitability. As a result, many businesses started downsizing their operations and workforce. This led to many professionals losing their jobs at a time when most organizations were not hiring either. During the last few months of the lockdown, I received a few emails from professionals who had lost their jobs due to the pandemic, panicking due to the sudden job loss, and the existing economic conditions. As is the case with most crises, planning and a strategic approach is usually the best way forward. Today, I am going to share some strategies and action points for someone who has lost a job during the pandemic.
Learn a New Skill (Re-skilling)
So, what do you do when you lose a job in a market where most companies are looking at downsizing their workforce? The first thing that comes to my mind is – make yourself the best available candidate so that the company considers your profile even if there are limited openings. And, how can you achieve that? By learning skills that make you a better professional. This can be in line with your current role or an associated role too. For example, if you are working in the IT field, then can a new coding language or data analysis, etc. can help you become better at your job? If yes, then you can use this time to upgrade your skillset. Alternatively, if you are a digital marketing manager, then maybe learning designing or picking up SEO writing can make your profile more attractive to your prospective employer. The bottom line – learn a new skill to gain an edge in the post-pandemic job market.
Work on your Resume
While the pandemic has changed the working landscape, it has also altered the expectations of organizations looking to hire. Since most organizations went are still preferring employees to work from home (WFH), it wouldn’t be a bad idea to add WFH-related skills to your resume. Include any new tasks, responsibilities, projects, software tools used by you in the WFH environment.
Many businesses now use software tools to scan resumes to shortlist candidates. Hence, having the right keywords on your resume is crucial. Here are some quick tips:
- Always ensure that your resume is updated with your latest work experience, skills, and certifications (if any)
- Each job is unique and hence demands a resume that is tailored to the position applied for. If you have the skill and bandwidth, ensure that you customize your resume for each application.
- You can also create a Personal Web Portfolio to help you stand out from the crowd and share your experience and expertise with prospective employers. A Personal Web Portfolio is a personal website that focuses on your professional personality. It boosts your credibility and helps you establish your Professional Brand.
- Many professionals are also opting for a video resume to present their professional personalities efficiently without relying on the HR team’s perception of their profile. You might want to consider a video resume especially if your job requires efficient communication skills.
If you are not sure about how to make the right changes, you can get in touch with us and our professional resume writing team will be glad to assist you. Remember, your resume is the key that can unlock the coveted door of getting the job interview.
LinkedIn Networking
As the spread of the COVID-19 virus is being brought under control, businesses slowly started resuming projects that were stalled earlier. However, with most employees still working from home, professional networking has been restricted to online platforms with LinkedIn leading the way. If you have lost your job, then this can be a great platform to start networking. A strong and expansive network can offer insight into trends and information on job openings and movement within the company. Most HR heads and recruitment managers have active LinkedIn accounts. You could connect with them and make it known that you are looking for a suitable job role.
Flying Solo
Out of every adversity comes an opportunity. Did you know that UBER, WhatsApp, and Instagram were created coming out of the last recession?
If being your own boss has been on your mind for a while, then you can turn this adversity (job loss) into an opportunity (starting on your own) too. Freelancing is an option that you should consider. Based on your skills, you can look at consulting or freelance opportunities. Many organizations are preferring freelancers over employees as it saves them the cost and hassle of recruitment. Remember, the corporate world is all about the survival of the fittest. In the current crisis, self-employment might be the way forward for you. The flexibility and remote nature of freelancing make it enticing for many to jump on the bandwagon.
Talk to a Career Coach
We understand that losing a job during such times can be highly stressful. While some people get lucky with their job search, others can go months even without receiving a call for an interview. If you are struggling in getting a strategy in place for your job search, it might be time to talk to a career coach. An unbiased view from a professional regarding your profile and approach can help you navigate through the maze efficiently.
Summing Up
These are unprecedented times. We have never seen a disease bring the entire world to a halt for months! With businesses being shut, most people understand that their job loss is not due to issues with their performance. However, most companies have not yet resumed ‘regular’ operations and are still working in the cost-cutting-mode. Hence, managing the job requires a strategic approach to ensure that you are back in the game soon.
At Change Ur Story, we understand that every individual has a set of unique skills and can leverage them to get through such career roadblocks. If you are battling a job loss during the pandemic, drop us a line, and let’s work-up a strategy to help you get employed again!
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