Job Search

In just three weeks, more than 16 million Americans have lost their jobs, and before the coronavirus pandemic fades, many millions more will become unemployed. And that leaves many with only one critical tool to recover their career: network during a pandemic.

To be sure, the normal routes we used—in-person meetings or coffees and networking events—have vanished. Here’s a sobering stat: until COVID-19, event planners were putting together more than 5,200 meetings a day, each with more than 10 attendees. And while the odds of hearing responses to new LinkedIn connections were never great, they are even tinier when people holding jobs are in turmoil themselves

Nonetheless, experts say there are still a host of systematic approaches to remind the business professionals you know that you’re around—and letting others realize you exist. But it’s all different in the era of COVID-19. And trickier. Here are some thoughts on how to network during a pandemic:

“Face-To-Face” Meetups

Networking is often done over coffee or during breaks at a conference, but meeting people in person is almost impossible at the moment. But instead of just settling for a phone call, experts say networkers should set up video chats to actually see each other. The video calls can make it easier to establish a connection and be authentic—especially with a new person.

It’s About Giving, Not Receiving

Nobody should start a network conversation with “I need a job.” Successful networking is about building relationships, experts say.

It can start with making a list of the possible things you can do for people in your network. Perhaps you can make a connection to an important partner in someone’s field. Or point to a little-noticed but important new research paper. Even small things, experts say, if done sincerely and are genuinely meaningful to the other person, can jump-start your networking.

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It’s a scary time right now, and you probably find yourself having some down time due to the Coronavirus shutdowns and cutbacks. But instead of feeding the fear, put this time to better use. What is your ideal career path? What’s your next move? Are you satisfied with where you’re currently at, or is it time for a change?

Reflection, Not Fear

It’s easy to be overwhelmed by all the headlines, grim predictions, and banter on social media and the news. But successful people don’t focus on the fear during times like these. In fact, it is in these times that reflection and creative thinking can change your life for the better.

During the down time, take a few career quizzes. Think about who you are as a professional. Examine your current setting, and ask yourself some of these questions:

• Am I successful in my current career path?
• Do I enjoy working in this role?
• Am I good at what I do?
• Is there ample advancement opportunity in this career track?
• Am I passionate about this kind of work?

Your answers to these questions may indicate it’s time for a change. Maybe you don’t have to change industries, but a different role within your industry might suit you best. Is this where you want to be in 10 years?

There’s nothing wrong with changing course in your career – in fact, it’s becoming the norm in the modern nomad economy. So if you would be happier in a different role or an advanced position, ask yourself which skills you need to acquire and steps to take. Begin formulating your strategy.

Skills, Passions, and Values

Career experts and successful businesspeople agree that the ideal career path is somewhere at the intersect between skills, passions, and values. This is where career magic happens. So how about you? What would that intersect look like for you?

First, let’s look at skills. Obviously, these are your abilities. But many of us have hidden skills we don’t even know about, because we don’t use them every day in our jobs. To find these, list your skills by three categories:

• Skills you learned at work (anything you were taught in previous roles, for special assignments, etc.)
• Skills you learned from formal education (college, workshops, in-house trainings, seminars, etc.)
• Skills you learned from neither (hobbies, volunteer/community work, home projects, leadership activities, etc.)

Next, reflect on your passions. A Gallup poll found that 85% of employees are actively disengaged at work. If you are not working in an area you are passionate about, your disengagement will translate into less buy-in, less problem solving, and less advancement.

On the other hand, your ideal career path will directly include something you’re passionate about and thus invested in making work. If you love doing something, you will move heaven and earth to succeed at it. And you will develop the necessary skills to be good at it.

Not sure what your passions are? Ask yourself the following questions:

• What am I curious about?
• What makes me smile?
• What engages me so much I lose track of time?
• What would I enjoy doing even if there was no money in it?

Lastly, what are your values? These are the core truths and standards that drive you. Perhaps you are committed to:

• Serving others
• Always telling the truth
• Embracing change
• Doing more with less

Whatever axioms uniquely define you and your moral compass, those are your values. Write them down.

The Path Forward

Tomorrow is full of uncertainty and change. But you can help shape it for yourself. Don’t get stuck in a dead-end career path. Take advantage of this slowdown, be grateful for all you have, and take stock of where you should go next. Pause, reflect, and plan. Your career growth path is up to you.

If you need any help determining where your ideal career path should lead or just need some help getting there, please contact us right away. We’d love to listen and offer any help we can.

Be safe, everyone!