Landing a Job During a Pandemic
A staggering 20 million people are unemployed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. I was lucky enough to recently pivot to a new role and want to share my lessons learned and tactical tips for job seekers navigating this difficult time. The below won’t apply to everyone, so take whichever pieces are most helpful for you.
ON MENTAL HEALTH: TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
0. Take care of yourself: Surround yourself with the people and activities that allow you to bring your best self forward and cut out the rest. The job search is already a stressful process in “normal” times. With the added stressors of the pandemic, a collective trauma that we’re all experiencing, there will be some days when you don’t feel like giving 100% to the search. That’s ok. Give yourself permission to take a break whenever you need it.
YOUR STORY: CONNECT YOUR PAST WITH YOUR FUTURE
- Own your narrative: If you don’t write it, someone else will, and it may be filled with inaccurate assumptions about your skills and experience, especially if you’re pivoting and the person you’re speaking with is unfamiliar with your previous experience. Craft a unique narrative that ties together your previous skills, experience, and passions with the role you’re applying for. A variation of “Tell me about yourself and why you’re a good fit for this role” will always…
