The following is a guest post from the good people at Career Karma, with a few changes from me.
Many organizations faced a difficult situation during the coronavirus outbreak. Consequently, they leaned on tech workers to move forward. Higher demands were set, and remote work is becoming more widespread. Many workers lost their jobs and are struggling to meet employers’ needs. If you’re looking to get a new job during the pandemic, these tips will help you move in the right direction. As you’ll know what to do to catch employers’ attention, increasing your chances of getting employed won’t be a hurdle.
Change Your Mindset
Keeping a positive mindset is indispensable to get a new job during Covid-19. It will help you find the motivation you need to stay on track. Today’s competition has become tougher, and the road can be challenging. However, I can guarantee that your efforts will be rewarded. Because of new standards, employers are looking for candidates who are willing to embrace changes and adapt.
If you keep your mind wide open, you’ll find solutions instead of problems. In that case, planning a new strategy to approach employers will be much easier. Don’t forget that employers are looking for candidates that are looking to transform the market.
Set New Goals
Setting goals will help you to move in the right direction. Goals are indispensable to stay motivated and focused. Setting short-term goals is a good option to celebrate once in a while. Remember that they are key to take small steps before achieving long-term goals. Setting goals will also allow you to become an attractive candidate. Employers are looking for workers with clear objectives as they have better performance and implement better practices. Given that, staying in the competition is not a nightmare for companies.
Identify what you expect in a new job and make use of your organizational skills. This will allow you to recognize what job offers are the right fit for you. Having a work-life balance is crucial for achieving happiness in life. So, you should look for a position that provides more than a salary.
Enroll in a Vocational School to Upskill
Learning new tech skills has become vital to meet employers’ needs. You can take some online courses or enroll in a coding school to get the job done. Nowadays, vocational schools have become popular because they provide aspirants with in-demand programming tools. By learning how to code, students can stand out from the competition and get the job they have always wanted.
To increase your chances of getting hired, you can start a cybersecurity career. Today, cybersecurity experts are in-demand, and they play an important role in keeping companies’ data safe. In their daily work life, they have to deal with rapidly-advancing threats and set traps to catch attackers. Also, they have to monitor vulnerabilities in systems in order to improve companies’ security strategies. Data is now among the most valuable resources, and cyberattacks can make companies crumble.
On the other hand, if your creativity is what makes you unique, you should become a web designer. Web designers are responsible for creating exceptional websites to help organizations attract and retain customers. Also, websites help organizations increase their brand recognition and improve their advertising effectiveness.
Many coding bootcamps offer courses to help you become a web designer. But, if you’re looking to learn from the best, you must enroll in Springboard’s coding bootcamp. The company has designed its courses to meet students’ needs. By providing them with schedule flexibility, students can learn from the comfort of their homes and learn the skills they need in less than nine months.
Tap Your Network
Tapping your network is an excellent way to increase your chances of getting an interview. Don’t hesitate to tell your friends and former co-workers that you’re looking for a new job. Having references makes you a trustworthy candidate so getting the job will be much easier. On the other hand, if you’re thinking about making a career change, you can attend virtual events to meet new people.
Ask experts in the field for informational interviews. This will allow you to know everything you need about a specific role. Identify what tools they need to do their duties and make a list of the skills you need to meet employers’ demands. Offering help is also a great way to get some experience before landing a new job. You can volunteer and help your friends in their personal or work projects. This will allow you to show your motivation, and you can even get an opportunity to show your skills.
Take Advantage of Social Networks
During these hard times, it’s necessary to take advantage of the digital world. Use social networks to approach employers and show your skills. If you’re a graphic designer or a UX designer, you can use Instagram to build a portfolio. Employers will visit your profile and will see what your actual abilities are.
Additionally, you can create a good LinkedIn profile to attract employers’ attention. Many employers and hiring managers use the platform to look for potential hirings. Creating a LinkedIn profile is pretty easy. You only need to add a profile photo, write a headline, a summary, and ask for recommendations. Still, you must be professional; otherwise, employers won’t be swayed. (I’ll add here that having a professional headshot photo done will help you a lot at a place like LinkedIn, or any online application that requires a photo. Consider it a good system that will make success likelier to come to you.)
Adapt Your Cover Letter to Each Job Application
When applying for new jobs, you should tailor your cover letter for each job application. This will allow you to stand out and increase your chances of getting hired. When writing a cover letter, avoid writing more than one page. After all, most employers ignore the second page. If you want to demonstrate your interest in the job, it shouldn’t be less than half a page. Write about your mission, your goals, and what makes you the perfect fit for the position.
Build a Portfolio
A portfolio is the best tool you can use to make employers feel engaged. Nowadays, companies are looking for candidates who speak with facts. By creating a portfolio, you’ll show your actual abilities and your work history. Add your most relevant projects and highlight the tools you required to complete each one of them. Make it visually appealing and easy to follow. Employers like it when aspirants show off during interviews and make use of their organizational skills.
In Summary
Getting a new job during Covid-19 is indeed a challenge. But, staying relevant won’t be a struggle if you follow these tips. As you will have everything companies need to transform the market, they won’t hesitate to hire you. Don’t stick to traditional strategies. The rules of the game have changed, and implementing better techniques is key to getting employed.
