Preparing For Career Post-Pandemic
Preparing For Career Post-Pandemic? People worldwide are still trying to find their feet amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. While we are beginning to see certain industries return to some degree of normality, people must embrace the “new normal.”
It’s important to take each day as it comes and adapt your lifestyle where necessary. Besides the tragic loss of life that the virus has caused, an unfortunate consequence of the pandemic has been the skyrocketing unemployment rates.
With companies being forced to shut their doors for several months, many have not been able to reopen. Others have had to let several members of staff go in order to survive. This has placed huge financial burdens on many employees.
Making career-based decisions is very difficult in the current climate. With such an uncertain future, it’s difficult to know where to start. However, at some point, you must take responsibility for your career and take action.
There are always opportunities in severe scenarios, and it is up to you to take advantage of them. Whether you have lost your job due to the pandemic or you’re worried about what the future holds for your career or business, now is the perfect time to get organized.
Although many industries are struggling, certain sectors are thriving. We have also seen the emergence of remote work as a realistic employment opportunity. If you’re ready to get your career back on track after the COVID lockdown, here are ten tips to help you prepare for a career post-pandemic.
Preparing For Career Post-Pandemic: Create a digital resume
Social distancing has reinforced that people now need to have a digital CV. Gone are the days of handing in a physical document to your potential employers. There are several ways to create an effective digital resume.
Firstly, you must have your resume as a shareable file or PDF. This can be uploaded to job websites or sent as an e-mail attachment. It is your go-to document that you must continually update, tweak, and improve as you progress through your career. Secondly, create a LinkedIn profile to connect with your industry online.
LinkedIn is considered to be the benchmark when it comes to professional networking in the digital sphere. Recruiters and hiring companies frequently search LinkedIn for potential job candidates. Spend some time researching how to optimize your profile for your specific industry.
Use this platform for networking and to gain a professional online presence. Finally, consider building a portfolio website. This demonstrates a certain amount of entrepreneurial guile and is a fantastic way to give yourself an edge over other job candidates.
Your web page should be simplistic, visually appealing, and easy to use. A complex and cluttered page should be avoided. Digitizing your resume expands your professional horizons, opens you up to more opportunities, and keeps you relevant in a modern environment.
Upskill
There has never been a better time to upskill. With the world facing unprecedented circumstances, you must put time into bettering yourself. Anyone currently unemployed should be working on their weaknesses and improving their strengths.
Nobody is the perfect employee. There is always an aspect of your professional skillset that needs work. These are the best areas to focus on when upskilling. Alternatively, it would be best if you upskilled in areas where you see potential opportunities.
One thing that the pandemic has shown us is that society doesn’t stop progressing. With technological advancements and the increasing influence of digital media on our culture, industries can become irrelevant overnight. You must be adaptable and work toward expanding your potential at every opportunity.
Optimize your remote setup
The trend of remote work looks set to stay. Many businesses have learned that they can operate with the majority of their staff working remotely. If these companies continue with remote work, it could save them a lot of money on office space.
To give yourself the best opportunity to succeed in the future, you should create a remote office or a home workspace. Potential roles that you may apply for could be remote positions, meaning you will need a suitable area to operate from.
Your home office doesn’t need to have all the bells and whistles of a traditional office. Apart from specialized equipment or software for your industry, your remote office can be quite basic. The most important aspects include a reliable computer, an internet connection, a webcam, a headset, and video conferencing technology. With these items, you can perform many roles.
Get legal advice
If you’re in the unfortunate scenario where you’ve lost your job due to the pandemic, you should consider seeking legal advice. Being a victim of such strange circumstances, you might be entitled to some compensation.
Likewise, if you contract the virus in the workplace, taking some legal advice with regard to your options is advisable. Research the COVID impact on workers’ compensation and ensure that you receive everything that you’re entitled to. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s important to realize that you don’t need to tackle this alone.
Consider changing industry
If the industry you’re a part is in trouble, you shouldn’t feel confined. There is always an opportunity to start afresh in a new industry. Although your expertise may lie in another field, you might be surprised at how valuable your skillset is in an alternative sector.
Adaptability is sought after in today’s job market, meaning success is possible should you enter a new area. As mentioned, certain industries are maintaining success throughout the pandemic. Logistics and delivery companies haven’t ceased operations.
The technology industry has seen particular sectors explode. Video conferencing and other communication technologies are essential for personal and professional contact. Take note of industries where you feel you could apply yourself to. Research job opportunities and stay updated with any news or trends.
Use online job boards
Coinciding with the digitization of your resume and a switch in focus to online or remote-based work, you must familiarize yourself with online job boards. There are countless resources and jobs for every industry advertised online.
There are niche websites dedicated to particular industries, and most online job boards are updated daily. The gig economy and the growing trend of remote work has brought about some comprehensive remote work platforms.
Some of these sites are subscription-based and are very effective in linking employers to freelancers. Websites such as Fiver, We Work Remotely, UpWork, and Flex Jobs are some of the most popular. Find online boards relevant to your industry and start applying immediately.
Get comfortable using video conferencing technology
Every organization has had to start using video conferencing technology to host meetings, conferences, and interviews. The use of Zoom and other video technologies has been a roaring success. Many professionals are now questioning the need for regular face-to-face meetings in the future.
If you happen to get an interview for a new job, there is a strong likelihood that it will take place via video call. Furthermore, if you land the job, you’ll have to use video conferencing regularly. Ensure that you get comfortable using video conferencing technology. You must get used to seeing yourself through a webcam and communicating effectively. Practice using the necessary software and rehearse interviews and meetings while viewing yourself through the webcam.
Digitize your business
If you run your own business and are struggling to survive in the current climate, it could be beneficial to digitize your business. This doesn’t mean creating social media accounts and posting daily content. Digitizing your business involves establishing a revenue stream through online business operations.
The fastest and easiest way for your business to make money online is to create an e-commerce store. If your business is a brick-and-mortar store, you must find a way to process online orders. If your business provides a service, you will have to create a way to package it for your online audience.
Your online store should be promoted using a comprehensive marketing strategy. E-commerce is one of the fastest-growing areas in business. One way or another, it’s vital that you focus on digitizing your business to enable it for long-term success.
Build an emergency fund
The COVID pandemic has shown us that your life can be turned upside down immediately. Having an emergency fund is quite simply a sum of money that you’ve saved for emergencies in life. The amount of money necessary will depend on your lifestyle.
The important thing is that the fund covers your living expenses for a few months. If you haven’t done so already, start setting aside money for a rainy day. Week by week, put what you can afford into your emergency fund until a sufficient amount is saved.
Preparing For Career Post-Pandemic: Minimize short-term risk
In an unpredictable marketplace, long-term prosperity is heavily reliant on keeping short-term risks low. Curb your spending, recognize that you’re transitioning, and work consistently toward your goals. Hold off on any major expenses or risky endeavors if you run a business. Deal with the current scenario and minimize unnecessary chances.
