It is normal for me to talk with a lot of job seekers and this week was no exception. One conversation was remarkable, albeit in a disappointing way. Steve was referred to me by a colleague as his job search has been ineffective. Happy to help, I scheduled a phone call to exchange information and to learn about his career interests. The gist of our conversation is that Steve is having difficulty generating interest from employers. He is an experienced professional with an advanced degree, but he is uncomfortable networking. He is reticent about making even a small effort in that direction. The bulk of his search has been about submitting his resume to company portals and online job boards. He has not done much research into other resources, tools, and techniques to leverage his efforts. I explained that up to 85% of people find their jobs through networking, while online applications account for about 10%. I encouraged him to spend his time accordingly. It was a difficult conversation. My advice did not seem to resonate. The best I could do was offer suggestions and encourage him to check in from time to time.
My last post was the first in a series of articles to explore Job Search in the Latest “New Normal.” In that post, I discussed the importance of situational awareness to understand the dynamics of the job market. One must have three hundred and sixty-degree understanding of playing field to ensure a successful outcome. The impact of Covid-19 has accelerated many trends already evident in the market. In this post, I explore evolutionary aspects of recruiting and selection processes the job seeker may encounter.
Although the economy is improving and companies are rehiring, it is unclear as to the continued pace of the recovery. Women are said to be hardest hit by the pandemic related layoffs. They are concerned about the economic impact on their family’s well-being. They wonder how much time will pass before they begin earning a regular paycheck again. If they have school-age children at home, their careers may be put on hold as school systems opt for virtual education. For many, their concentration is short-term survival, less so for the long term. This is reasonable and probably good thinking.
If you believe the economic forecasts, employers are planning for a favorable fourth quarter. Their recruiting activity must begin now if they expect to be staffed by Fall. They are using virtual tools to facilitate more of their recruiting, selection, and onboarding processes. Most employers are soliciting applications through online portals. Additionally, they are likely to use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to make the process more efficient. Video interviews have gained greater acceptance, especially for senior-level positions. Now, I am hearing that these tools are becoming commonplace across a wider range of job categories. This makes sense to me as video conferencing is an obvious solution for recruiters who may be working from home. These tools are effective, affordable, and easy to use. The job seeker must become adept with the virtual interview.
The pace of hiring is not uniform across all industry segments. The media has reported several stories about iconic brands that have announced plans to hire a significant number of new employees. On the other hand, many smaller businesses are struggling to survive or planning to close. Many of the latter are service-sector operations, including restaurants. Finding job opportunities in this segment is problematic. One can reasonably expect six months to a year or more before the economy reaches the pre-pandemic staffing level for this segment. You should consider redeploying your skillset for opportunities in growing industry segments.
Tips to Improve your search:
- Networking is still the key
- Embrace Social Media
- Think creatively – consider your transferable skills
- Become comfortable with video interviews
- Consider freelance work as a bridge strategy
We cannot fully appreciate the potential economic downside or the possible upside as we adapt to Covid-19. Assuming that surrender is not an option, we must adapt. The recruiting and selection process has gone virtual, so we must become proficient with virtual tools and processes. Networking is still the most viable way to find a new job, so embrace that activity. Become a confident networker if not an expert. Include virtual networking in your portfolio via LinkedIn, email outreach, and other social media platforms. Consider the value of your skill-stack to support a career move to a high-performing industry segment. Be open to freelance work as a bridge strategy to a full-time situation, or maybe a new career. We cannot predict the jobs that may go away or those that will be created. It is safe to say, however, that new career opportunities will be available to you if you do your research and seek them out.
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