Preparing for Lay-offs? – Navigating the Job Market During Uncertain Times
The Covid-19 pandemic is forcing nationwide lockdowns and it’s no secret that nearly every industry has been negatively impacted. Because of this, businesses are laying people off at an enormous rate. As we near month two and you begin to evaluate your own job security and the potential lay-offs of other companies, here’s three steps that may be useful to help you navigate the job market during these uncertain times.
1. Deliver Results – The lack of job uncertainty can increase anxiety and an overall lack of focus. Being unsure as to where your job stands can disrupt the way in which you perform your day to day tasks. The first step is to do your best to remove self doubt and to continue to deliver results. Continue to stay the course and to maintain value in your respected position. Take this time to network with people outside of your department and top leadership. If you have the time, develop additional skill sets that will keep you in demand and build your resume. Build an online presence by creating online profiles. LinkedIn is a great way to display your views, interests, and skills. By connecting with as many reputable organizations as possible, recruiters can directly gather information based off of your profile. Remember to keep your profile active and up to date. Also encourage your co-workers and friends to write testimonials on your highlights and achievements.
2. Search Quietly- During this uncertain time, keeping an eye out for job openings in your field is a great way to stay ahead of the competition. You can do this by keeping an up to date resume. Your resume is the employer’s first glimpse into you as a potential candidate and a chance to spotlight your qualifications. While updating your resume, be sure to include vital information about your skills, career, research and work experience. Including corresponding dates when a certificate, degree or training was obtained is a sure way to shine a light on major career objectives and projects. Sites, such as, LinkedIn and Indeed are great starting points. Search for roles specific to the location and field you want to target. It’s a good idea to subscribe to their newsletters as these sites mostly display up to date job openings. Sites, such as Indeed deal directly with human resource personnel from various industries making it easier to submit your resume and have access to hundreds of sample CVs and cover letters for review. Don’t forget to reach out to mentors and other professionals in your field for job openings and referrals. Employers with good HR Departments know this and prioritize hiring via referrals. People WANT to work with people who they like and ultimately enjoy being around. Communicate with your colleagues and create good relationships with managers. Tell them you are open to new opportunities and show your value!
3. Listen to Rumors – Listen to news and rumors regarding your company and department. It’s important to just listen and not act. Make informed decisions. Most importantly, follow trends. People can talk a lot especially when there is a rumor to circulate. Pay more attention to the actions and trends of management instead of their words. Staying up to date with the current trends of your specific job market can help you forecast future labor market requirements from employers. By determining relevant trends in various industries, you’ll have the advantage of determining whether your skills will correspond to current requirements and upgrade them if needed. You can do this by maintaining active participation in a professional association in your field. Aside from the networking opportunities, it also gives you the advantage of getting first hand information on job openings, training opportunities and in some cases the opportunity to interview with potential top companies.
During these times of uncertainty is key to stay ahead of the curve. By following these three steps, you’ll be able to navigate through the job market efficiently and successfully.
