To Nail Your iJob Search

As the job market grapples withserious disruption, many of ushave experienced directly or knowsomeone closely who hasexperienced a round of layoffs. Ifyou’re currently looking for work,it’s understandable to feel a littleextra anxiety about looking for ajob during such uncertain times. But we’re here to offer some helpand encouragement. While it maybe tempting to put your job searchon hold during the pandemic, theprofessional consensus stronglysuggests that job seekers shouldstill continue to apply and preparefor their next opportunity. It mayfeel a little different this timearound, but recruiters are stillactively seeking talent for whenbusiness as usual resumes.

6 Steps

If you’re like most of us, odds are that updating yourresume doesn’t rank very high on your list of hobbies.However, an updated, clean, and effective resume is one ofthe most significant tools in your job search. Take timegoing through yours; update your skills, update yourformatting (there are plenty of free tools to help with this),double-check your contact info, and remove that job at thesandwich shop in college (no one will ever forget that youmade the best Rueben in town anyways). When you’redone, send it to a friend to proofread.

This is very similar to the previous tip and just asimportant, but it’s overlooked far too often. Investing somefree time into optimizing your LinkedIn page can pay offimmediately.  Do a similar pat-down of your profile andmake sure everything is updated and relevant. Plugin someapplicable keywords and search terms in your “skills” andother sections to help you get noticed quicker by recruiters(here’s an article to help with this). Once optimized, letyour LinkedIn profile do some effective, passive job searchwork for you.

Once you have an all-star resume and LI profile in yourback pocket, it’s time to get it in front of a recruiter in yourindustry. Look through your network or call in a favor froma friend or coworker to find one (there are more out therethan you think!). They’ll be happy to provide someprofessional feedback to an aspiring job seeker to makeyou as marketable as possible, and, who knows, they mayeven have a position in mind for you.

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2Update Your LinkedIn Profile

1 Review & Update Your Resume

Connect with Industry Recruiters toGet an Inside Scoop

As hard as it may be to give up your designated Netflixtime, now is the perfect time to repurpose some of yourscreen time to upskill yourself. Take that class you’ve beenmeaning to take, earn that certification you’ve beenputting off—anything you can add to your professionalrepertoire, search if there is a method to earn it online(spoiler alert, there is). Once you do, slide these new, shinytrophies proving your acumen into your refurbishedresume and LinkedIn page.

5 With so many people working (or not working) from home,engagement in online communities and platforms hasskyrocketed. Take advantage of this and start reaching outto fish for opportunities. Practice talking professionallyabout your background/skills, and hone those interviewingskills free from the pressure of an actual interview.Position yourself at the front of the line for when thingspick back up again. If you find a good lead but it’s notaligned with your goals, share it with a friend and pay itforward. Everyone can use a little help!

6 Check Your TechFinally, now that you are your industry’s hottest free agent,you need to make sure tech skills are prepared forinterviews. It’s still unclear if/when social distancingguidelines will be lifted even after industries begin rampingup hiring again, so make sure you’re prepared to interviewand work remotely. Get comfortable communicating overthe phone or via video conference. Capitalize on a boredfriend or housemate and a run a few mock interviews, andpick a space you can rely on that is distraction-free.

Network & Explore Like Crazy

4 Upskill Yourself

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