With all the economic uncertainty due to COVID-19, a large swath of employees across the country are now facing the reality of being laid off. While many who have lost their job may have seen it coming, it still comes as a shock to the system to suddenly be without employment. Here is where to start.
1. Take some time to relax and de-stress.
Depending on your current financial situation, make sure to take a bit of time to breathe, re-center, and relax. Whether it is a day, a week, or a month, self-care is highly important during such a stressful time. Beyond that, taking a moment to relax will likely make you more efficient and effective in your upcoming job search.
2. Update your LinkedIn profile.
Make sure to review, update, and potentially enhance your LinkedIn profile. You will want to double check that all job titles and employment dates are correct, update your tagline, add bullet points that describe your roles and responsibilities in greater detail.
Do not forget to turn on the “let recruiters know you’re open” feature as well, and update the locations and job titles you’re interested in hearing about!
3. Network
The old adage still rings true – it is not necessarily “what you know” but “who you know.” Take this opportunity to connect with recruiters in your space and professionals in similar roles.
Do not be afraid to reach out to people you connect with! Professionals are generally willing to help when someone reaches out to them directly. You never know who might be able to offer career advice or provide you an inside track to your dream job.
4. Increase your activity on LinkedIn
Make sure to respond to people you reach out to in a timely manner, for one! Additionally, you will want to be an active participant on the platform to increase your own visibility. That means posting relevant articles or blog posts (make sure to use appropriate hashtags), “liking” other people’s content, and being open about your own job search. You never know who might see it!
5. Update your resume.
It is to revamp and update that old resume. Ensure that the layout of your resume is clean (no need for a picture, unnecessary graphics, or other excess), and that your experience is clearly and concisely stated.
Whenever possible, steer clear of subjective language, and instead opt for quantifiable accomplishments. Use the CAR formula if you get stuck. CAR stands for Challenge, Action, and Result. Every accomplishment should include a problem or challenge, the action you took, and the result of your hard work.
Some examples:
As the company’s primary sales representative, I expanded the client base by 65% in a 4-month period.
Decreased shipping times by 75% by implementing new electronic inventory and ticketing system.
Grew working capital by 30% in 6 months, allowing the company to take advantage of better resources for continued growth.
Lastly, never exaggerate or lie about your experience, but do not be afraid to have multiple versions of your resume tailored for specific jobs.
6. Prepare for your interview
There is no substitute when it comes to preparing for interviews! Check out our blog with a variety of helpful interviewing tips here!
7. Do not be afraid to ask for help!
There are so many people out there who are happy to help you in your job search. This is a unique time to be unemployed, and I think most people understand that. Whether it is a recruiter, a friend, or an old coworker, make sure to reach out and tell them you are looking for a new job!
Here at SCALE, we are always more than happy to assist you in any way that we can. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us at info@scale-colorado.com!