In my last blog and podcast I shared my perspective on the massive disruption COVID-19 is unleashing on the job market and implications for you as a job or client seeker. While some companies have drastically reduced their workforces and operations through layoffs, closures and holds on hiring, others are in growth mode, particularly in industries which are helping us navigate the pandemic.

But with so many people now out of work and looking for jobs, competition is greater ever than ever. What can you do or where can you look to find opportunities now?  The strategies aren’t much different than pre-COVID but the channels and effort required is. 

Here are a few strategies to help you access opportunities and get noticed… 

Find your whitespace

Start by identifying where the opportunities are for you. Where can you create impact? Now is a time to really look at your skill set and explore where you can be the solution. Do you need to pivot in your job search tactics or in your service offering to fill a gap? Or can you do something now that you haven’t done before? Get curious and creative by:

• Design thinking. If you’ve been contemplating a career change, now might be the time. It doesn’t have to cost a fortune, either. In fact, there are so many online learning portals right now offering free upskilling. Consider volunteering for a business or industry you’re interested in to gain on-the-job experience. It’s also a good time to set up virtual coffee meetings to explore an area of interest you might have. Connect with people in the professions and industries that you’re curious about and get insights.
  
• Exploring something new altogether. Have a hunch about a product or service that might be in greater demand right now? Perhaps you see an opportunity that no one else can, and that your services can fill. Start by asking questions and making observations. I like to use a futures wheel to help me think bigger than first order consequences of change. Try it out and see where you land. 
  
• Going for it! You’re going to miss 100% of the shots you don’t take (or jobs you don’t apply for). Adopt a success mindset. Put yourself forward and ask for what you want. And if you don’t see what you’re looking for, build your own opportunity! It could mean applying for your dream job that is based in another province and making a case that you can do it remotely. Think creatively and propose solutions.

Customize your resume

Job search is Marketing 101. Employers are looking to buy a product – they tell you exactly what they’re looking for in the job description. How can you increase your chance of a sale? When you’re developing your resume, customize, customize, customize. Put in the time and effort to craft a resume that’s relevant to the role you’re applying for, and that demonstrates how you, your skills and experience provide the solution to a company’s unique challenges.

Activate your personal network

This is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. Now more than ever, building relationships is crucial for finding opportunities and getting yourself seen by the people and companies that matter to you. (We’re talking with experts to dig into the topic of virtual networking — and the role that your personal brand and leadership communication strategy plays in building your network —  in the tellent community.)

When you’re engaging on social platforms, think where you want to be seen, and by whom. Post, comment and be of service by contributing thoughtfully to discussions. Despite the slowdown in hiring, you can still make connections that bring you top-of-mind for your target employers, or better yet, plant seeds of need.Have a listen to my podcast where I chat more about what the job market is looking like right now and how to find the opportunities

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We’re all in this together

In such uncertain times, tellent is here to support you. Lean on us. Each week in our talent ecosystem, we bring you live events that connect you directly with experts to explore topics that can help you better navigate this time. I hope you’ll join us when you’re ready, and share your voice, concerns and ideas. There’s no greater need for community than now.