Broaden your horizons.
The shift to and acceptance of remote working has allowed employers to expand their network when looking for talent – and you should do that when looking for a job, too.
“Many employers are open to hiring remote workers, but often in the same time zone,†Ms. Weitzman said. “This means that if you live on the east coast, you will have several options in New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Connecticut.†Of course, that means you’re competing with a larger pool of applicants, but it also gives you a better chance of finding the right fit.
It could also be a good time to make a career transition. “You might want to be more flexible and think about changing areas,†Mr. Wahlquist said. “Take the skills you’ve developed and try to find something even better or more sustainable in the long run. “
In the meantime, consider taking relevant training, especially if you have been unemployed. “If you are not working, I would 100% recommend signing up for training, as it shows initiative and a keen interest in updating and expanding your skills,†Ms. Weitzman said.
Be honest about why you are unemployed.
If you’ve been out of a job for a while, either because of a lack of opportunities or because you were busy accompanying children to Zoom school, that’s okay. “Everyone knows what happened last year,†Wahlquist said. “Most people have a big free pass for a gap in their work history during the pandemic. “
Nonetheless, you should be prepared to explain – succinctly – what happened and what you have done since. “Even if your past job loss was not entirely due to Covid, most employers want to start a transparent relationship,†he said.
And, potential employers will want to check your references. Expect them to want to talk to your former supervisors over the past five years or the past two jobs. “Take this time to get back to these people and be direct,†Mr. Wahlquist. “You can ask, ‘Will you be willing to give a referral, and able to give me a good referral? “And if the answer is no, then why?” “
