2020 Job Seekers: Get Ready for Job Hell
Because even if it doesn’t seem like it right now, the Pandemic will end. And when it does, it’s going to be a whole new nightmare. It won’t be as bad as the horrors and sorrows going on right now that those sick, working, and supporting them are experiencing — but it will be a nightmare nonetheless.
The nightmare I’m referring to? The biggest flood of job applicants for the tiniest amount of job postings since even the ‘08 crisis. It’s the perfect storm:
- Massive amounts of unemployed heading back into the workforce (not just 2020 graduates, but also those who recently lost their jobs). And unlike ‘08 — it’s much more distributed across fields.
- A super cautious and wary corporate landscape that’s still yet hesitant to open back up headcount
- A global trading landscape that scales back as companies everywhere now start thinking about how to decrease their dependencies on foreign countries
Unlike in normal years, employment seeking won’t just be the graduates of that year + the normal % of job hoppers. Once again, we’ll be seeing Associate job postings asking for 4+ years of experience just because they can. Because competition will get so bad, over-qualified applicants will be fighting for them with the new graduates they were originally meant for in normal times.
And so while we have the ironic gift of time in these moments — it’s important that we prepare in every way to make sure that we can bounce out of the gate as best as we can once this is all over. So what can we do?:
- Reexamine. Were you furloughed or let go? This is the perfect time to examine why and how you feel about it. If you never want that to happen again — think about what could be done in the future to prevent it. A career change? Presenting yourself differently to the company?
- Keep learning. Were you looking for a new field to get into? Or are you a junior in your field and looking to get experience on the job? Get ready now. Do not be idle during these times — the people who get jobs later won’t be. If you’re a programmer, keep those github squares green. If you’re a researcher or analyst, dive into books and make sure you’re continuing to improve. Maybe get some certifications if possible online.
- Compile a list. The application-pocalypse is going to come hitting like a wall of bricks. Get ready. Expect to apply to hundreds of postings — especially if you’re only applying online without a referral. Build up a sheet of companies you’d like to work for, bookmark their job portal, reach out and connect with their recruiters. Lay the foundations now so you can hit the ground running. The first applicants to a job posting get viewed. Once the first round of interviews start, the posting will remain but more than likely noone past the 15th interviewee (if that) will have the chance to have their resume looked at.
- Brush up your professional presence. Don’t have a Linkedin? Make one. No professional portfolio site? Get on it. Clean up your resume. Make those changes to your cover letter you’ve been putting off for the last 3 years. Cindy, the engineer is replaceable. Cindy, the thought leader in Javascript and various open-source projects is not.
- Budgeting. You’re probably already doing this now, but budget. This is going to be a marathon, not a sprint. Nothing pushes you to take a bad or sub-optimal job like a dangerously low bank account. And doing that can set your professional life back years longer than this pandemic already has.
- Breathe. Plan. Be calm. You have some time before we open back up. This needs to be done, but it’ll be done over a period of time. I’ll be here to back you up.
There’s a lot more that can be said here, but those are the 6 general categories to think about. As someone who’s applied to over 700 jobs over 5 years, they are also the things I wish someone told me long ago.
Feel free to reach out with any questions or if you have anything else you’d like to add. Always glad to learn more and help as someone who’s been there before and lucky enough to not be there anymore.
