Let’s explore some tips for preparing for today’s job market.
- Learn new skills. Take time to explore any number of free or low-cost online trainings to improve your skills. Many Goodwills are providing online courses for their communities in areas such as job preparation skills, job search techniques, job leads and placements, and job-readiness skills, including résumé writing, interview skills building, dressing techniques and more.
- Build your network. Relationships you’ve formed over time can be a great source for new job opportunities. Network with others to help you learn of future needs and to become front of mind as those positions become available. Job searching is a process. Relying solely on online postings and applying to them is only a part of the puzzle. Don’t neglect your personal contacts and those you know via your social media.
- Customize your résumé. Incorporate key words from each company’s job description and requirements. Include recent accomplishments that would resonate with the hiring manager to show you’re good at what you do.
- Sign up with a staffing firm. Your quickest path to employment may lie with a staffing firm. These agencies have continued to maintain contact with companies through this pandemic and know where the jobs are. These may not be the jobs that will lead to your ideal, career-oriented pursuits, but for any number of reasons, you may want to get back into the ranks of the employed and use them as a building block to continue onto your chosen career path.
Practice your interviewing skills. You’ll be applying for jobs in an employer’s market where the employer can be choosy about who they hire, so you’ll need to stand out. Rehearse your answers to common interview questions. Too many applicants wing it, feeling their personality will win the day. While being genuine is important, you’ll want to plan for how you’ll deal with typical interview questions so you come across more prepared and professional. Many interviews may be conducted via video conference while the pandemic continues
