3 Questions to Ask Yourself When Job Searching During a Crisis

by Diane Klementowich on March 30, 2020 in IT Consultant, Job Seeker

 

 

We’re going to be real with you for a second. Your inbox is likely flooded with emails from every company that you apparently gave your email to like ten years ago – they’re all letting you know how they’re committed to your safety during the coronavirus outbreak. They have good intentions and it’s a nice thought – but you don’t really care about how <insert obscure business here> is upping their hand sanitizer game. While the health of your community, friends, family and yourself will remain your number one priority, if you’re a job seeker, you also care about your job search during the coronavirus outbreak. And undoubtedly it all feels pretty uncertain right now.

 

We’re here to ease your concerns – for many industries, hiring is not at a standstill. In fact, according to a recent report from Glassdoor, between the end of February and the beginning of March, a number of industries saw a hiring boom as a direct result of the coronavirus outbreak. Our point being – the job for you is out there, but you might need to adjust your approach. Start by asking yourself these three questions:

 

Question #1:

Am I approaching the job search with a quality over quantity mindset?

 

While it can be tempting to take a shotgun approach to your job search (mass applying to any sorta relevant jobs that you see), this isn’t an effective use of your time. For the most part, businesses are hyper-selective when making hiring decisions now more than ever. They need to have the utmost confidence that you’re the perfect candidate for their position. In other words, one general resume for every position won’t cut it.

 

Instead, focus on quality over quantity, and spend time tailoring your resume to every position you apply for. Did you know that about 75% of applications are weeded out by resume parsers before they even reach a recruiter’s hands? These parsers are looking for distinct keywords and if your resume doesn’t make it crystal clear that you’re qualified, your resume might land in the dreaded “black hole” of applications.

 

Key takeaway: Carefully choose a few positions to apply for and spend time adjusting your resume to perfectly match the specific job requirements. If the position asks for a cover letter, take the time to draft one. Don’t leave any doubt in the hiring manager’s mind that you’re the one.

Question #2:

How can my skills help businesses adapt to an ever-changing landscape?

 

Like we mentioned earlier, businesses are still hiring – but likely for different positions than they were a month or so ago. No industry is immune to the effects of the coronavirus crisis, and they’ve all had to adjust their strategies to keep things running. The fact is, employers need game-changing employees now more than ever. Whether through a resume, cover letter, or interview, be prepared with results-focused and quantitative examples of how you made a big impact in the past and how you plan to help your prospective employer overcome the obstacles that they’re facing now. You have it in you already – just make sure they know it!

 

Key takeaway: Put yourself in the employer’s shoes. What challenges might they currently be facing? Now, how are you going to help them overcome them?

 

Question #3:

Am I being flexible with my job-search criteria?

 

And here’s the big one – you need to remain flexible. The “perfect” job you had your heart set on just might not be out there anymore, but there are many others now or in the near future that could be a great fit. If you’re holding on to a rigid list of job criteria and coming up empty-handed after every search, chances are you need to reflect on what truly matters to you and what’s just a “nice to have.” For many job seekers, the best companies and positions aren’t always the most obvious. Contract and temp-to-hire positions are going to be on the rise and present an awesome way to get your foot in the door of a great company, build your skillsets, and grow your network. If you don’t take the time to learn about these positions, you might be missing out on a stellar opportunity.

 

Key takeaway: Don’t judge a book by its cover, a frog turned out to be a prince, and all those other clichés. Be flexible in your job search so you don’t miss out on a low-key perfect position.

 

While it can be hard to be optimistic right now, positive thinking and unrelenting determination are key to landing a great opportunity. And hey, you don’t have to do it alone – that’s what we’re here for! MindSpring recruiters work with job seekers across diverse industries and experience levels to help connect them with great positions.

 

 

On the hunt for a rewarding opportunity? MindSpring is currently accepting applications for a number of positions – view our openings here and submit a resume here!

 

 

Not quite on the job hunt yet?

Even if you’re not in the market for a new job right now, it’s still a great time to partner with a recruiter so you can start thinking about the next step in your career. Companies with hiring needs that don’t require a dedicated in-house recruiting team will reach out to an agency – like MindSpring. Our recruiting team at MindSpring will objectively work with you to learn where you see yourself in the future and how they can help you get there. Many people have extra time in their back pocket right now, so use it to start having these critical career conversations with a job search expert who has your back. Let’s get started!