HOW SOCIAL DISTANCING CAN WORK
FOR YOUR JOB HUNT
The world has slowed down, but your job hunting doesn’t have to grind to a halt. Even if events and activities have been cancelled, and even if there are significantly less places to go to, it does not mean the end of being together, working and getting things done. It just means that people will have more time and will be spending a lot of it at home online for such activities as conversation, entertainment and work.
With time being your most abundant resource, there are ways to maximize it to advance your job hunt and career from home.
First, pick a professional social media network and make it work for your career. Use hashtags to locate posts and comments in the area where you want to make connections. Look for articles that interest you and add value by giving positive input when you share them. At this time though, avoid negative inputs. Dare to reach out to new people in your second- and third- level network. Read their profiles and find something interesting to comment on. The connections you make at this time may later on lead to referral and interview opportunities.
Since your primary avenue for networking is online, take the time to review how you present yourself in this space. Assess if your online profile clearly shows your interests, strengths and expertise. See what your profile and feed say about you. If you find it lacking, use the time to develop your professional image on line. Identify your pegs and the influencers in the industry you want and study how they are presenting themselves virtually. You can connect with them and even ask for their input. Some of them respond and give their advise.
Another great use of your extra time is for professional development. Update and enhance your skills from home. There are many free online classes and workshops now. Online schools even offer certificates of participation. You can then add these to your resume and portfolio.
Fourth, check in and reconnect with old friends, former staff and colleagues, and other contacts from work, past and present. It would be a pleasant and worthwhile way to network.
Lastly, always be alert to new remote work opportunities in the field you want to work in. Companies and businesses are adapting the way they do business to more remote work set-ups wherever possible.
Understand that these are uncertain and unpredictable times and a lot has changed in the way we work and do business. Keeping your eye on your professional goals and being creative and resourceful will definitely help you advance your career or get you the job you want even through a socially distanced world.
