Updated content:Corona and the Job Market – What You Need to Know and Do NOW

Updated content: Corona and the Job Market – What You Need to Know and Do NOW

Update: Following this update is the original article published at the end of February about possible impacts to the job market by the coronavirus. Since then, the stock market is entering its third week of instability or declines and even more industries are feeling the negative impacts of the coronavirus. The strategies used by both job seekers and employed need to accommodate the evolving situation.

1.     The first step, whether you are currently employed or looking for your next position, is to read the original post so you are familiar with the information contained in that article and then implement the updated actions.

2.       After you update your resume, be sure to post it not only on the general job boards like CareerBuilder but also on industry specific job boards. You can find these job boards by doing a simple internet search on the name of your industry or job title then the words “job boards”.

3.       Be sure to re-post your resume on job boards every three weeks to trigger an update to the date the resume was saved. Recruiters and hiring managers did not want resumes of people who are no longer looking for a job so they will put some kind of date parameter on their search in order to get the “fresh” resumes.

4.       Because of the continued spread of the virus and people wanting to limit exposure, attending industry networking events is going to be increasingly challenging. More and more conferences and gatherings are being cancelled. You do not want though to become invisible during this period of time.

Networking on platforms like LinkedIn is going to be essential. Research the people you want to meet and see what LinkedIn groups they belong to, then join and stay active in those groups.

5.       Renew former contacts. This is a perfect time to reach out to former colleagues and friends to renew the relationship. Do not make it all about you. Find out what has been happening in their lives. Listen for how you can help them with a contact or information.

6.       Reach out to industry leaders and other news makers in your field who have appeared in recent articles and congratulate them on their successes. A nice handwritten note or even briefly worded email or LinkedIn message, without making it about you and your job search, will go far for making a good impression. Do not forget to add a business card in with the handwritten note or a signature block on the digital correspondence. That is enough to help them remember your name and encourage them to look you up on LinkedIn.

7.       When updating your skills so you are increasing your marketability, remember that not only are there millions of free online classes but many if not most software companies offer a free 30-day trial of their software that you can use while training.

To get further updates on this or other relevant topics as they occur, follow RightChangesJobSearchCoach.blogspot.com.

For more information about RightChanges Job Search Coaching services, email us at Info@RightChanges.biz.

Original posting 02/27/20
No one should panic with regard to the impact of the coronavirus on the job market but whether you are employed or in a job search, there are things you need to know and do NOW to be prepared.

As I am writing this, it is the 4^th day the US stock market has declined significantly. This is impacting a broad range of industries due to the international nature of today’s manufacturing and supply chain. Because of the stock market, there will very likely be impacts on the job market. You need to understand these impacts and act NOW to be prepared.

Impacts

From my many years in corporate management and my decade now as a job coach, I understand that due to the significant declines in the US and international stock markets and other factors, there very possibly will be hiring freezes at the end of the first quarter, if not sooner, until companies understand the full impact of these factors. If the uncertainty continues or increases, it could very well mean reorganization of staff and possible layoffs.

It is not all bad news. There are some companies that are experiencing growth during this time. For instance, home exercise equipment companies are reporting increased sales. Any industry, like in-home comforts and supplies, will be in greater demand if uncertainty continues or increases.

Things to Do If You Are Employed

Putting your head in the sand or keeping it low hoping, with fingers crossed, that you will not be impacted is not a viable strategy. Even if you feel your position is secure, it is better to be proactive and prepared. You will feel more confident and more in control of your circumstances.

1) Update your resume and LinkedIn profile

      2) Reach out to your existing network of people and renew contact with them. If you are not already doing so, start going to industry networking events.

3) Update your skills. If you have not taken training recently, you are less marketable and therefore less competitive in the market. Develop new and more current skills now. In addition to wonderful continuing education courses offered locally, there are millions of free, online courses.  

4) Start updating your list of accomplishments (STARs) so you are ready with examples of actual successes for the interview. 

5) Stay current on your industry and how it is being impacted so you can make a move before it is too late. A GREAT book to read to get in this mindset is the tiny, but powerful book titled “Who Moved My Cheese” by Spencer Johnson. MD. 

6) Be ready for an interview. One of my clients, who recently landed, wanted me to emphasize to everyone the importance of holding a practice interview with a professional, like she did with me, to make sure you are not saying or doing something that would cost you the job.

Things To Do If You Are Not Currently Employed

If there are hiring freezes or reorganizations and layoffs, companies will still be hiring but the competition will be stiffer. If you have been in the job market for a while, this is not a time to continue on the wheel like a hamster, doing the same thing and not going anywhere. Here is what you should do NOW.

Reality Wake-Up Call

You need to understand facts about the current job market.

• Only 10% of resumes make it passed the application tracking system’s keyword software because too many resumes are written historically, “here is what I’ve done”, instead of “here is what I’ve done that makes me great for this role”. If you had your resume written by a professional and they did not use a sampling of job descriptions to be sure the content is on point, your resume was just reformatted and is probably part of the 90% falling on the floor.

• Only 15% of the jobs available today are posted on-line. If you are mainly applying on-line, you are missing out on the majority of jobs available. You have to know the various approaches and then use them.

• You have to be able to articulate why they should hire you over the competition and you cannot give the same answers everyone else gives. Too many job seekers cannot clearly articulate their competitive advantages or do not even know what they are. You need to know your actual strengths; you have to dust off your memory and be able to recite examples (STARs) of things you have actually done to support your capabilities.

• There are six items of marketing materials you need for a successful job search. The resume is of course one of them but do you have or can you even name the other five?

Job Seeker Action Items 

Do not waste another moment on a job search that has not produced results. Make changes now because the job market may not be getting any better.

1) Have your job search approach and materials analyzed by a professional. It does not matter how hard you are working on your job search; if you are doing it wrong, you are not going anywhere 

2) Implement the necessary changes to your approach. 

3) Work on having a positive attitude. You can have the best resume money can buy; you can have the best answers ever given to interview questions in the history of man, but if the interviewer picks up on a lack of confidence or anger, you have lost the opportunity.

4) Hold a practice interview with someone who will give you honest feedback on your performance. You could lose the opportunity if you are saying the wrong things or your body language is not confident.

5) Network with employed people in your industry or field. Too many job seekers only network with unemployed people. Job networking groups are a place to get spiritual support or tips but it is like going to a married group looking for a date when it comes to networking for a job; it is not a target rich environment. Instead find out where employed people in your industry or field hang out and go network with them. They know the hidden job market.

6) Double down on your job search efforts. You should develop a calendar of events to attend and tasks to complete every day for the next month. Spend 40 hours a week on your job search doing the right things based upon the successful approaches. With a possible tightening of the job market, this is not the time to conduct the job search halfheartedly or haphazardly.

There are job coaches, like myself, who can give you feedback on your search to date and help you be more productive. Get off the hamster wheel and get a job you want.

Judi Adams

Judi@RightChanges.biz