Whether you’re facing a layoff due to the outbreak or were already looking for a new position, we asked three recruiters for their best tips on dealing with a job search during the uncertainty caused by the Coronavirus.
Experts Georgina Young (Talent Acquisition Lead at Booz Allen Hamilton), Emily Stanek (Senior Tech Recruiter at Capital One and Career Contessa Mentor), and Bailey Rovery (Client Lead Recruiter at Amazon) explain how to expand your network, connect with recruiters, and weather hiring freezes.
What are your main recommendations for people who are job searching during the Coronavirus outbreak?
Georgina: Stay calm and have patience. Companies are working to keep operations running and retain staff. Talent acquisition organizations are exploring options regarding how to adapt to these new challenges. While this is going on, stay engaged by taking the time to revise your resume and social media presence.
Emily: Most companies are unclear on their forward strategy since no one knows how long the outbreak will last and how it will impact the economy. Establish a solid network of contacts and potential opportunities so that you’re ahead of the game when things get up and running again. Request meetings over the phone with Skype or Zoom - taking initiative through virtual networking demonstrates you have the skills, ingenuity, and flexibility that hiring managers value.
Bonus: here are some free networking templates you can use to reach you!
Bailey: Be patient and understand that talent acquisition teams are likely pivoting right now. If you have recently been hired, many companies have implemented virtual onboarding processes. Most are providing fixed expense allowances for working from home and are shipping needed materials (laptops, etc.) to the new hire’s home.
If people find themselves out of work, what are their best options for the job search?
Georgina: Stay engaged and connect with recruiters. Leverage your network and use the virtual tools at your disposal. Connect with organizations and local groups that hold virtual job fairs and online networking events to find your niche.
Emily: Connect with recruiters! Think about the companies that will remain stable (e.g., large, established companies) or grow because of the outbreak (e.g., web conferencing, delivery, and medical companies). Consider this period an opportunity to heavily network so that as hiring begins, you will be the person they think of. Now is the time to refine your resume, LinkedIn profile, and elevator pitch. This way you’ll still make progress towards the job search, even if hiring is slow. If you feel stuck with these activities, consider booking a session with a career coach who can provide additional tips.
Bailey: Exhaust your personal and professional network and partner with a recruiter. Recruiters are proactive in the hiring process and know the pipeline of roles that will be available before they’re posted online. They also have relationships with decision-makers that will increase your chances of obtaining an interview.
Do you find that companies are still hiring during the outbreak or implementing a hiring freeze?
Georgina: While it depends on the industry, the reality is that hiring will slow down across the board. That said, hiring for critical positions will continue. These are unprecedented times and no one knows what will happen. Since we’re looking to return to a normal business rhythm in the near future, talent acquisition organizations are looking at ways to continue to build pipelines of candidates to be able to return to hiring.
Emily: It depends on the company and industry. We are seeing a lot of layoffs and hiring freezes, but there are also companies and industries that will remain stable or grow because of the outbreak. Think about how the world is changing because of the outbreak and what companies and products will be in higher demand because of changes in social and business behavior.
Bailey: Some companies are slowing down while others are hiring at their normal level or higher. This is another reason to leverage recruiters.
If able to secure an interview, what questions should job seekers ask companies?
Georgina: It is a critical time to ask companies questions regarding benefits, staff welfare, and what steps they’re taking to keep business going. Avoid focusing on the Coronavirus and the future; instead, ask about what is in place for unprecedented times like these.
Emily: Ask questions about how the company is responding to the outbreak. Are virtual interviews in place? Is virtual onboarding implemented? Will there be delays in start dates? How will virtual training work? What is the company doing with existing teams to stay in touch during this time? What are the company’s goals in the next 6 to 12 months?
Bailey: Research the company’s stock changes to get a grasp on their financial standing. Ask what the impact this role has on the organization it’s supporting. Inquire about the day-to-day duties required of the position and the long term vision for the role. Lastly and most importantly, ask if funding is secured for the fiscal year.
How can job seekers best leverage their network during this time?
Georgina: Making personal connections is what will drive activity. Reach out to your network and personally ask for a reference or referral.
Emily: The best networking strategy is to create meaningful connections slowly and steadily. During this time of uncertainty, fill your calendar with virtual informational interviews. Get to know people in roles, companies, and industries you're interested in. Create a networking spreadsheet to track everyone you’re reaching out to and make a point to follow up with those contacts. Use this scary time to check in with people and extend your well wishes. By staying in touch, you’ll establish a genuine connection and relationship.
Bailey: Keep up with your existing relationships and work to establish new ones to strengthen your network. Reach out on multiple channels if possible (phone, email, LinkedIn). Be concise yet relatable in your messaging since this is such an uncertain time for everyone. It’s something we can all relate to!
In what ways should job seekers stay active in their job search even if they don’t hear back from recruiters?
Georgina: Stay engaged in interest groups and stay informed. Many companies have resources for applicants and keep information public on their career sites. More than ever, companies work to ensure that applicants are aware of the process.
Emily: Follow up with recruiters in a cadence that feels comfortable for the situation (follow up but don’t bombard them). Be sensitive to the uncertain and emotional times we are in, and express this when following up with recruiters. Make a list of companies and industries that are remaining stable during this time (Google searches, public financial data, and stock market information will help with this). Focus your search on these companies and industries.
Bailey: Add recruiters from the company you’re interested in on LinkedIn and send direct messages to show a high interest level. I consistently see the same names in our applicant portals and my LinkedIn messages, and I respect the follow-ups.
Bonus: Check out our online courses on resume makeover, job search strategy, and optimizing your LinkedIn profile.
Do you have any general advice for those seeking employment during this unprecedented time?
Georgina: Stay positive and stay engaged. Find networks that align with your beliefs and values. Be a positive force.
Emily: Try to stay positive. When hiring goes back up, the market will be flooded with applicants so make sure you’re ready with your network, resume, LinkedIn profile, and elevator pitch. Get creative with your approach by getting the word out about your skills in different ways like producing online content or offering a virtual service. Once you have enough content that you’re confident in, add a link to your email signature that your network can easily access.
Bailey: Keep your options open. Look back at previous LinkedIn messages that you may have dismissed from recruiters and see if they have availability. Provide a timely follow-up to any inquiries you receive, and do your research. Ask questions about the company, role, and overall stability of the position you’re interviewing for. If you’re laid off, ask recruiters about short-term contracts to keep a steady income while you look for a long-time position and take time to reset.
For more articles on how to handle working during the Coronavirus outbreak, check out our roundup of resources. And be sure to join Emily's virtual brown bag lunch where she covered more topics like these!
