The COVID-19 pandemic has affected almost all industries, and the ripple effects have probably impacted you in some way or another. All of the economic hardship, closures, and lockdowns may have left you wondering: should you even bother looking for a job in this climate? The answer is yes, you should. Here’s why:
There are opportunities out there.
While it depends on the industry, the position, and many other factors, there are open job opportunities out there, believe it or not. Many companies are hiring right now. Be aware that things might look a little different than they once did, and the role you apply for might be a little different than it was at this time last year. But taking it in stride and keeping an open mind can still help you land a new position. At the end of the day, it never hurts to apply to something that you feel you qualify for — the worst that can happen is that you hear nothing back.
You probably have transferable skills.
Even if you’re not finding any available positions in your exact field, take a moment to think about how your skills can transfer into related fields. You might be able to find a job in a related but different area than what you’re used to, and it might just be the perfect opportunity to learn new things and grow your career. Don’t limit yourself to an exact title, industry, or rank, and you’ll find that the possibilities open up significantly.
You can still network.
The pandemic has made in-person networking a bit tough, but you can still network online using sites like LinkedIn. And you can tap into your existing network as another way of getting available positions on your radar. Keep in touch with old colleagues, recruiters, former supervisors, etc. and let them know you’re in the job market. You just never know when one of those past connections can help.
There is light at the end of the tunnel.
It’s easy to feel helpless when it comes to the economy and the job market, but have faith that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The pandemic will definitely change some things, most likely permanently, but it can’t last forever. There is a future out there where things return to some sense of normalcy!