Three ways to stay active in your job search during COVID-19

Searching for a new job world can be time-consuming, confusing, and difficult in the best of times. Add the recent events of COVID-19, and those problems get instantly worse. That’s why we’ve outlined some best practices to keep yourself engaged in the job search and continue making progress.

This seems obvious, but this could not — and I repeat, could not — be more crucial during this time. Of course, COVID-19 precludes in-person meetings with colleagues or friends, so social media and online communities are more key now than ever. Comment on a leader’s LinkedIn post, share posts or content relevant to the job you are applying for, comment on a colleague’s Facebook photo, or reply to someone’s story on Instagram. We’re all feeling alone together, and you might just connect with someone who has an even bigger network you can engage with. The little things go a long way.

Here at Khoros, our Talent team has partnered with our Atlas community to create a job board for anyone looking right now. The posts on this job board will likely focus on jobs related to community management but could include digital care or social media marketing jobs — or others. During this time, we want to help those in our community and help connect people who are out of work or looking for a change in their career. Here is the welcome message to the job board to help get you started. If you are new to Atlas, here’s information on how to register.

My company, like many others, has slowed hiring, so as a recruiter, I have taken the extra free time to brush up on my professional skills. There are tons of webinars, blogs, books, and videos out there with training and tips for any type of skill that might help you in the professional world. LinkedIn has a great library, from leadership and management workshops to software development to Adobe 101. Although they are monthly costs, they have a one-month free trial you can utilize while you search. Even better, some brands are promoting free courses, such as these seven courses for social media marketers.

If you want to get a little more specific and learn more about Khoros, our Resource Center has a whole library of whitepapers, reports, and case studies to keep you up-to-date on the latest industry best practices, as well as tips and insights to help you get the most out of your time in quarantine.

If you’re currently looking for a job, you know just how important it is to have a strong cover letter and resume. Take the time to reevaluate them, and ask yourself:

• Is my resume enticing for employers to review?
• Are the jobs I’m applying for a match for my background and experience?
• Is my resume clean and easy-to-read?

It’s okay to apply for something that might not line up exactly with your past experience, as long as you explain this in your cover letter and give examples of how your experience makes you a good fit for something new. Creating a resume website could be another way to promote yourself and stand out online.

You can also brush up on your interview skills and interview attire. Your next interview may not be in person, which can present certain challenges. Take a minute to think about how you can present yourself on a Zoom or Skype call, to give yourself the best chance at landing the job:

• Are you prepared to talk about how you can benefit your potential new employer? Can you give specific examples?
• Are you wearing what you normally would to a job interview? (While interview attire may not be quite as formal as it used to be, it always helps to present yourself as professional and put-together.)
• Do you have skills that could help your potential new employer navigate the COVID-19 crisis? Odds are, you probably do. Whether you’re a content writer or a software engineer, your skills can contribute to crisis management. If an appropriate moment comes up, make sure to highlight these skills, and mention how they might benefit the company.

Most importantly: Don’t give up. Keep applying. Stay safe and stay healthy.