With the effects of the pandemic on the job market and your skills, you may worry about re-entering the workforce. What if your work gap during this season makes employers look away? What if you can’t adjust to the new way of doing things?
In such an uncertain time, wanting to re-enter the workforce means adapting to new safety requirements and acquiring different skills.
This article will tell you all you need to know to make your entry into the workforce sell smoothly.
Be Honest
In an interview or talking with a prospective employer, be honest about what has happened throughout the pandemic. They may wonder why you have an employment gap or don’t seem as skilled as you need to be.
The pandemic has forced everyone to take a hiatus, so explaining that position openly is a good starting point.
Don’t Forget the Basics.
Despite all the changes, the job hiring process will still implement the usual application necessities. This means you must pay attention to your CV or resume, ensuring they highlight the right skills.
Before you go into an interview, take the time to practice with someone and receive feedback.
Gain New Skills Online
Even with everything becoming online, gaining new skills is possible. You can enroll in some classes that can provide you with online certificates, making you more competitive than others. Make sure to choose a course that will relate to your ideal job.
Taking the initiative to keep learning or training during this season will show employers that you work hard and are serious about improving yourself. This will only work to your advantage.
Access Help
Don’t be afraid to get help from the community. Some support centers work to provide you with knowledge about unemployment and re-entering the workforce.
Places like the Legal Aid Society and the Center for Community Alternatives can potentially help you access much-needed information and support.
Re-Learn Your Rights
As a worker in the middle of a pandemic, remember that your workplace rights still apply. There may even be more rules and regulations around your rights, so update your knowledge on this.
When looking for work, remember that you don’t have to get involved in situations where you feel unsafe, no matter how much you need the job. The Labor Employment Program has passed some employment laws to prevent firms from taking advantage of your position.
Narrow Your Job Search
This may not sound like a good idea, but sometimes, the best way to get a job is to narrow your focus in certain areas. This will help you tweak your resume accordingly and become more knowledgeable about the sort of people they look for.
It is also even more important during the pandemic because some businesses have decided they would stop hiring. Instead of trying to find a needle in the haystack in some industries experiencing hardships, you can shoot your shot with the businesses booming at the moment.
Walmart, Domino’s, or Walgreens may be suitable places to start. These stores are likely to have weathered the pandemic with even greater sales.
Try to Stay Positive
There’s no point in lying about it: job hunting in this season will be tough. You may have the most amazing skills, but the job market cannot accommodate the huge supply of people looking for work.
Staying positive will be instrumental in building up your resilience as you try re-entering the workforce. You may spend extended periods searching, but this does not reflect how skilled or qualified you are.
Take some time off to refresh your mind and prevent yourself from constantly worrying about the state of the economy and your bills.
Manage Your Expectations
You may not land the job of your dreams. This is true in normal seasons, and it’s even more true during the pandemic. As harsh as this may sound, this is a desperate time, and some job markets simply aren’t hiring.
When you start calling people up and sending out resumes, take the time to reflect on your expectations and make sure that you are not asking too much. While you benefit from keeping your hopes up, trying to shoot for a great position, such as an executive role in an industry that is barely hiring, will only leave you disappointed.
Even more so, not managing your expectations can lead you to apply to too many areas simultaneously, preventing you from honing your applications.
Reach Out to the People You Know
You will want to tap into the hidden job market during the pandemic. Unadvertised jobs mean fewer applicants, making you more likely to stand out. Try to reach out to the people you know and ask them if they know of any openings in their company.
Don’t feel ashamed to do this – this is a difficult time, and your friends or family will probably understand.
Re-entering the Workforce Will Be Difficult
Overall, it will be a long road if you’re considering re-entering the workforce but know that this does not mean you are unqualified. It is uncertain, and businesses are doing their best to stay alive.
Did you find this article helpful? Check out more career tips on our blog.
