Looking for a job in COVID times? Here is how career coaching and career counselling can help!
Changing careers or work roles can feel daunting at the best of times but with many people being made redundant or unable to work due to COVID restrictions finding a job right now can be downright scary. The reality is that there are more people looking for work making the competition stiffer, salaries have been reduced, and there is less person to person care among recruitment agencies. It’s a really difficult time with many trying to navigate their way through the job market and not knowing where to start. Here are some tips that will hopefully make the process of looking for a job smoother and alleviate some anxiety.
1. Change the goal posts to suit your needs now.
Your goals pre and post-COVID might be quite different. Right now, the priority may be less about finding the perfect job and more about financial security. Consider contract work or a part-time position doing something you’re qualified for (or have skills that can transfer over to another position) to get a regular income, even if it’s not what you envisioned doing right now. Keep in mind that this won’t be forever and use any spare time to focus on longer-term goals and the activities that fulfil you. I offer face-to-face and zoom, Career Counselling and Career Strengths Coaching, where you can identify your goals and use your strengths to achieve them. Book your consultation here.
2. Do self- discovery work.
This is a fantastic time to reassess who you are and what’s important to you. Assessments that measure your values, strengths, and interests can be a great way to learn more about yourself, gain more confidence, and stand out in interviews and on resumes. The more you can articulate to others your strengths and preferences the better chance you’ll have of landing a job that satisfies you now and in the future. Career Coaching and Personal Development Coaching is a great way to explore yourself in more depth.
3. Free Online Courses
There are hundreds of free online courses out there if you’re looking to up skill for a job or want to study something new for the fun of it. These courses are available at Alison.com, Coursera.org, and Futurelearn.com.
4. Spend time doing what interests you
If you’re not currently in the ideal job or not working right now, try to spend as much time as possible doing the things light you up. We are spending more time than ever at home and it can be all too easy to get caught up in the mundane chores. Brainstorm what motivates you; it could be exercising (jogging, surfing, home yoga), baking with the kids, getting creative with the paintbrush, or starting a veggie garden. While we might not be able to travel and socialise, there are plenty of activities we can do that will nourish your soul. Treat this time as an opportunity to connect with your family and build stronger relationships with your friends.
5. Employ active job search strategies
I can’t stress how important active job searching strategies are both pre and during COVID as it can significantly enhance your chances of getting a job than if you were to rely solely on passive job search strategies (e.g., online job searching, going through a recruitment agency and emailing in resume’s). Active job search strategies focus on finding people to build connections within an organisation that you want to work in. Using LinkedIn is a great place to start because you can contact people directly. Sending out an email to your wider social network (think hairdresser, beauty therapist, friend of a friend) outlining the position you’re after and your desire to chat with someone already in the field is another great way to get your foot in the door quickly. A Career coach can help you gain more clarity around your career choice and point you in the right direction for active job seeking.
6. Build authentic connections
Target your active job search strategies towards connecting with likeminded people that are working in an organisation that you are interested in. The more authentic connections you have the better chance of hearing about positions that arise before they hit the public. If you struggle to build connections that will enhance your career, career coaching can equip you with the right tools and strategies to build lasting connections. For more information on Career Coaching Mornington, contact me here.
7. Ensure your resume and LinkedIn profile stands out
Use your resume as an elevator pitch to attract the attention of potential employers by being crystal clear about who you are, what you’ve achieved, and what’s important to you.
More and more organisations are employing a computer software program ATS to screen out job applications. This means your resume needs to pass ATS criteria to even be considered past the first hurdle. LinkedIn is also a fantastic way to get your brand out there, apply for positions, and be seen by other organisations. If you want to know more about how to stand out from the crowd contact Uplift Coaching, a career coaching service on the Mornington Peninsula, for more information.
I hope you enjoyed reading these tips. If you’re interested in knowing more about how a career coach or personal development coach can help you move forward during this time, please do get in touch here.
Image source: Corinne Kutz | Unsplash
Amelia McDermott is a Career Coach and Coaching Psychologist, based on the Mornington Peninsula in Melbourne. With nearly 20 years of training and experience working as a psychologist, Amelia has a strong understanding of how to uncover what makes people tick, and how to help people find an authentic career that aligns with their unique talents and values. If you’re looking for Career Advice or Career Counselling, look no further than Uplift Coaching and enjoy a consultation with Amelia to see if a Career Coach is right for you. Book a consultation here.