The economy has slowed down due to coronavirus, but at Upwardly Global we’re encouraging our job seekers to keep going. The logic is simple: The most secure jobs right now are in the professional sphere, and companies are still hiring. But where does one even start? Read on!
Get the job search support you need.
Searching and applying for jobs is hard even in the best of times. Luckily, Upwardly Global has a range of free options for immigrant and refugee professionals looking to get back to work:
- Job Search Program for Immigrant and Refugee Professionals
- Online Short Courses for the Public
- Jobversity Resource Library
Have your essential needs covered.
If you’re struggling with essentials like food and housing, it’ll be hard to focus on your professional job search. The following guides can help you find assistance:
- Where can I find help during the pandemic? Government assistance FAQs
- Upwardly Global’s Comprehensive COVID-19 Emergency Services Guide
Set up your workspace.
If possible, set up a quiet, dedicated workspace in your home with strong internet access and the office accessories that you need to make work go smoothly.
- Low-Cost Internet and Computers
- Everything You Need to Work From Home, According to People Who Do It Every Day
Have a plan of attack.
Set aside dedicated work time with minimal distractions. You may want to organize your job search using a common productivity method and Kanban-style organizer:
- How to Work From Home: 10 Tips to Stay Productive
- How to Work from Home when Your Kids are Home, Too
- Common Productivity Methods
- The Best Kanban Apps
Stay informed.
How is your industry adapting to the pandemic and recession? Where is the demand and slowdown in hiring? Knowing this can help you sell yourself to employers. Stay informed by reading widely, joining online conversations, and following industry leaders on LinkedIn.
- The Top 50 Business News Websites to Follow in 2021
- The Top 50 Consumer Magazines
- Trade Publications by Industry
- The 50 Best Blogs in the World
- 50 Great People to Follow on LinkedIn, No Matter Your Industry
- Find and Join a LinkedIn Group
- 750 Popular Subreddits by Industry
Know who’s hiring.
Hunt for the companies that are hiring. Chances are, demand for new hires has shifted and not gone away in your industry.
- LinkedIn: Here’s Who’s Hiring Right Now
- 99 Companies that Are Hiring During Coronavirus
- Remote Job Opportunities at FlexJobs
- 7 Ways Job Searching Will Be Different in 2021
Improve your LinkedIn.
EVERYONE is online now, so your online presence is more important than ever! Strengthen your LinkedIn profile and start connecting.
- The Benefits of Using LinkedIn for Your Career
- 20 Steps to a Better LinkedIn Profile
- Rock Your LinkedIn Profile
- 15-Day LinkedIn Challenge
Get really good at virtual conferencing.
The future of work is online. This means teleconferencing apps are king. Get comfortable with the most common ones, learn good video etiquette, and brush up on virtual interview skills.
- The 10 Best Video Meeting Apps
- 5 Things to Avoid When Video Conferencing from Home
- 9 Tips for Mastering Your Next Virtual Interview
- How to Make a Good Impression in a Virtual Job Interview
- Master the Telephone Interview Online Course
- Wear Pants — and Other Tips to Prepare for a Virtual Interview or Job Fair
Keep networking, remotely.
Stay in engaged on LinkedIn, attend virtual job fairs and networking events, and arrange informational interviews with new connections. Upwardly Global’s many online networking opportunities can help you take the mystery out of networking during the pandemic.
- 10 Reasons Why Networking is Essential for Your Career
- 14 Professional Tips for Networking During a Pandemic
Build your hard skills.
Take online classes, volunteer, do contract and gig work, and show future employers that you are making the best of a hard situation. If you haven’t already, enroll in Upwardly Global’s program to take advantage of our free certification opportunities.
- Are Online Classes Worth It? 12 Pros & Cons of Online Learning
- 9 Tips for Taking Online Courses While Working Full-Time
- 14 Best Sites for Taking Online Classes That’ll Boost Your Skills
- Free Online Ivy League Courses
- Volunteer Your Talents for a Good Cause
- Volunteer Roles for Scientists, Doctors, and Engineers
- Best Websites for Remote Work and Side Gigs
Keep applying.
Yes, companies are still hiring. But here are some job search tips you might find useful:
- Confirm with a recruiter that a position you find online is actually hiring right now.
- Before any virtual interview, run a test call on the company’s chosen conferencing platform.
- During your interview, consider asking how the pandemic has impacted the company’s strategic business and hiring goals, what the work-from-home mandate is like (if any), how the company has supported workers during the pandemic, and what the culture and feel of the office is during normal times.
- If you get hired, ask about the onboarding timetable and what is involved.
Be patient!
Your job search may take a little more time than usual. The best approach is to remain as cordial and communicative as possible with recruiters and hiring managers.
For more information about this guide or Upwardly Global services, contact Tim Workman at outreach@upwardlyglobal.org. This guide will be updated as new resources come to our attention.