While you may have to approach your job search in a very different way than in pre-pandemic times, it is important to remain resilient, focused and productive with regard to your career development in these challenging times; using this work hiatus as an opportunity for some professional self- reflection. Afterall, the best fruits are often borne out of challenge and adversity.

Broaden the net to include a wider selection of possible jobs

It may well be that your ideal career opportunity is not possible in these shifting times but that does not mean that you can’t sharpen up experience and skillsets through other, even temporary, roles outside your main industry. As well as contributing financially, such initiative will speak to future employers of your versatility, adaptability and flexibility; all attractive attributes in the long game for any applicant. Team building, leadership, good communication, customer care, innovation and creativity are just a few of the transferable skills that can be practised across a host of different employment placements regardless of their status. Stay in touch with recruitment agencies as you job hunt and above all stay positive because this recruitment downturn is not permanent.

Boost your skillset

Re-evaluating your skills-set will allow you to focus on those competences that require more input. It’s important to focus on what you can control now. Having an honest look at yourself, through the eyes of those with whom you have worked or through online personality tests can lead to you bolstering those gaps in either your formal qualifications or hard skills set or perhaps your softer listening skills. These can be as diverse as improving communication skills to organisational skills. While you wait, there are many certified, online courses that you can take which will help position you better when recovery comes. Employers will also respect you for transforming challenges into opportunities for personal development. Recruitment agencies can advise on skillsets for niche industries.

Clarify your future aspirations in line with industry trends

Reflect on your career. Invest time in researching companies that interest you. Consider the threats and opportunities that the company faces and the responses that they have made to the challenges faced. Become familiar with their social media platforms and posted blogs so that you are better informed about their priorities, values, ethics and culture. Share and comment on any articles or research papers produced by the company or, if possible, join discussion groups. Explore the profiles and aspirations of existing team members and assess how you might fit in with and contribute to the goals and vision of such a team. Understand the company’s target market and become familiar with their successes. Doing the groundwork and demonstrating an in-depth understanding of a business at a future interview will show passion and speak volumes to your potential employer.

Update and upgrade your resume that best showcases you in six seconds

Your resume is the measuring rod used to decide if you are the most suitable candidate for the job. Multiple versions of your resume are required to match different roles. Tailor your skills to line up with the key terms in each job description. The more frequent use of the key words in the job description, the more you are likely to be shortlisted. Resumes require the most up-to-date, relevant employment history and qualifications and should be limited to two- pages. Information should be itemised through concise, carefully scripted, grammatically correct bullet points. What characterises a good resume are itemised examples of how you have added value to a previous employer’s business with examples of passionate contributions.