As we all know, the Sars-COVID-19 virus has had and continues to have a significant effect on our lives and, implicitly, on our careers. Contracts concluded, work offers canceled, technical unemployment are some of the measures that many companies have had to resort to.
Thus, candidates are forced to approach new and creative methods to stand out in front of recruiters.
If you decide to look for a new job or you have to take this step, consider that the approach of managers and recruiters requires even more effort and attention to stand out as an ideal candidate.
Here are some tips with what NOT to do during this time:
- Don’t resort to the old ways of looking for jobs
Coronavirus has radically changed the world. Social distance and online interviews are important reasons why you need to rethink how to make yourself visible on the job market.
There is a need for other ways to stand out in an increasingly crowded market, where recruiters receive hundreds of resumes every day.
Tip: Record a short, professional video for introductory or a thank-you message. Or use tools like the site canva.com to create an original resume. It takes more effort, but if done right, it helps you stand out.
- Do not enter interviews without first testing the equipment
Social distance and work from home are normal things nowadays. According to a March 2020 survey conducted by Handshake, 89% of employers use virtual interviews, given the situation of COVID-19. This means that you must have the same level of enthusiasm, professionalism and communication that you would have in a physical interview.
Although everyone understands that technical problems are sometimes uncontrollable, audio and video quality are important; it is good not to have interruptions, not to have background noise, etc.
Tip: Test all the features of your video conferencing application beforehand (for example audio settings, camera and screen access) to avoid problems.
- Do not apply to absolutely all the jobs
The desire and the need to find a job can make you apply for any job, but be careful where and for what you submit your CV. Mass application, regardless of your real interest, can be tempting. We notice this in the significant increase in the number of candidates who admit that they do not even remember that they applied for a certain role and do not strive to prepare for the interview.
As a candidate in this employment environment, you need to be aware that there is more competition for every role available. Focus on the quality rather than the number of applications and invest time to create a more personalized pitch.
Tip: apply only to those jobs where you fully understand the requirements of the role and you feel that you have the necessary skills to stand out as a strong candidate.
- Don’t set unrealistic salary expectations
There is nothing wrong with aiming as high as possible, wanting a higher salary or more benefits, but they must be adapted to the reality of today and the impact that the pandemic has had on companies. They are already under pressure to manage their costs during this pandemic, so understanding this can give you an advantage.
Tip: remember that salaries may not be as competitive as in recent years, so be careful when discussing compensation.
- Lack of empathy
Each company you try to approach will have its own story about how COVID-19 affected them. You need to be aware that many companies have gone from physical work to homework, while others may go through a period of layoffs, which can have a huge impact on company culture and employee morale. Understanding the impact that the pandemic has had on an organization is also a way to show that you are fully aware of the exceptional circumstances in which we find ourselves.
Tip: Explicitly verbalize your awareness of the challenging moments that any organization inevitably faces at this time.
- Inflexibility
One of the problems encountered by recruiters is the inflexibility of candidates and the refusal to adapt to the current requirements of employers. Adaptability is an important quality that you must have, and candidates who cannot be flexible during this crisis do not have the opportunity to receive offers.
Flexibility could involve an openness to part-time roles, different locations, or average levels of compensation.
Tip: How to approach this hunting Jobs says a lot about your expectations as an employee, so in a time of uncertainty, find a way to show your adaptability.
- Don’t be impatient
You need to be aware that managers and recruiters are busy a lot now. It may take longer to receive a response. Be patient. Insistence shows proactivity and interest, but when done too often, it can become tiring. Candidates contact potential employers more often than they should in the hope that they will get a job, but it causes a negative effect.
It should also be borne in mind that companies are adapting to remote interviewing and hiring, so the process is not easy. A little patience and understanding can work wonders.
Tip: With all the activities that people manage in their organizations, without considering their personal lives, during this pandemic, give them extra time to come back with feedback.
- Be too insistent
One of the biggest mistakes is to panic and show despair for a new job from the first minutes of talking to a recruiter. Give up comments like “I’m ready to accept a very low salary”, but emphasize the value you can bring to the company.
Employers also want to know that you are interested in their company for the right reasons.
Tip: Determine exactly the type of job, department, position, role, and salary you might accept before looking for a job, so you can objectively evaluate opportunities based on these criteria.
- Wait for the crisis to pass
Understandably, you are waiting for the crisis to pass to look for a new job, but we encourage you to continue applying. While it may be tempting to wait for things to settle after the pandemic, the reality is that companies and industries are still hiring. You may have unique, relevant, and even more valuable skills in this time of global uncertainty.
It is also an opportunity to demonstrate how prepared, focused and professional you can be despite everything that happens in the world.
The pandemic also offers the opportunity to demonstrate how you cope with difficult times, a particularly attractive quality in the current context.
Tip: Identify one of the most valuable skills in times of crisis, then highlight it in all your job search communications.
We live in unprecedented times. The coronavirus pandemic has created challenges for all of us, not only in our personal lives but also in our professional lives. Although finding your next job may still be an important and necessary activity at this time, many organizations and managers are managing their challenges in the face of this global crisis.
The proactive search for your next role without overcoming the global health crisis is delicate. Realizing what compromises you should and shouldn’t make, especially in challenging times, is tricky. And knowing exactly how to address people in the right way when everyone is facing the disorders in their lives is difficult.
However, in times of crisis and uncertainty, all you can do is approach the continuity of your career proactively and positively, without being too aggressive or insensitive. Managing this fine balance is half the battle.
We encourage you to remain optimistic, creative and attentive and to continue to apply to open positions!
