On March 11th, 2020, when COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, we should have known that our lives (and our professional careers) would not be the same any time soon. Many businesses have been affected negatively, companies shutting down, pay-cuts and people being laid off. All of this happening, it’s bound to take its toll on careers and future plans for ourselves. In this blog series, I will talk about the effects of the pandemic on your career as a professional.
The first thing you need to know is “DON’T PANIC!.” Stay safe, follow your health authorities procedures and remember that “this too shall pass.” Now, with the niceties out of the way, here are a few practical tips on how to manage your career during the pandemic.
Managing a Career
You might be wondering; ”Will the coronavirus slow down an already slow hiring process even further? Will there be layoffs and hiring freezes? And, most importantly, can you find a new job if you need to? The answer is that it depends. Sure, the pandemic will cause some drastic changes to the economy which can and would affect any company’s decisions such as hiring; but do you know who gets hired during economic shifts? Those who don’t stop job searching and, instead, keep going. Even though many industries will suffer, there are some that are doing quite well so let’s get you ready in case you find yourself having to make a move.
Your Professional Online Presence
Since you should have more time now than ever at your hands, you can start by simply creating and ensuring your presence on some of the most used and successful online job boards around the world to broaden your job search horizon. Here’s a list of some of the better ones. And, here’s how you can create a great profile on WUZZUF.
These platforms are the future of hiring; they’re easier to use for employers than traditional CVs because they facilitate and automate the hiring process for employers by providing candidate scoring and applications tracking systems. These systems allow employers to rate your profile based on how relevant it is to the vacancy you seek.
Your CV
It goes without saying, a CV is still an extremely important asset in the hiring process. You’ll either need to email it or upload it as a part of your application process. Here are a few tips to create your CV for the first time. Also, here are some mistakes to avoid while writing a CV. If you’re more experienced than this, check out our guide to executive CV writing.
Your Portfolio
Some careers require having a portfolio where you compile samples of your work to showcase your expertise and demonstrate how good you are. An example of these careers is any variation of design (UX, UI, graphic design, etc). Your portfolio should highlight the best of your work and how diverse (or incredibly focused) your work is. This ultimate guide to personal branding will definitely help you.
Your Network
Now is a great time to reach out to your network and refresh your communication with them. You can also check how they’re doing during the COVID-19 situation. Listen to our radio interview about how you can expand your professional network and use the tips included in the episode to give you a leg up.
Your Job Search Choices
The coronavirus is changing the job market, not just in Egypt, but around the world. You need to consider those changes while planning your next career move. For example, companies in travel, entertainment, hospitality, and event planning have been especially hit the hardest. On the other hand, healthcare, online retailers, delivery services, TechEd, and other fields are rapidly hiring. You should also consider working from home. (stay tuned for our series of webinars tackling that last point).
Whether you are forced to make a career move or you are doing it by your own choice, you should always be ready to go. It’s important to remain optimistic and hold on to your sanity during these troubling times. The changes are unprecedented and we have no idea yet about that’s at the other end of this situation. So keep an open mind, stay safe and wash your hands.
I hope that these tips helped you out and stay tuned for the next article on How to Seek a New Career during COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic.
