The transition period between jobs can be a difficult time, causing feelings of uncertainty and anxiety. When a global pandemic is added to the equation, it makes a difficult situation even harder to navigate. Yet, approaching the situation with the right mindset and leveraging additional free time, will foster positive results. Dedicate this time to prepare yourself as an A+ candidate and prioritize best practices to separate you from the competition.
Elevate Your Resume
Your resume should be representative of the position you are seeking. A resume is often the first impression a candidate makes, so ensure that it makes for a lasting one.
Update the resume format, font style and content – make it visually appealing to catch the eye.
Include a professional summary with bulleted highlights including specific quantifiable impacts you have had throughout your career.
This will give hiring managers a hard-hitting summary of who you are as a candidate.
Include the URL to your LinkedIn profile.
This is a great opportunity to highlight another resource that reveals who you are as a candidate.
ENhance your Linkedin
The value of a strong LinkedIn profile cannot be underestimated with the soaring popularity of social media. Expand your network by connecting with peers, school alumni members, former colleagues, neighbors, etc. Don’t hesitate to join groups that are relevant to your field and interests. There are millions of job openings posted on LinkedIn each month in the US, so be sure to take advantage of these job leads.
Set an alert so relevant job postings will get sent directly to your email.
Make sure to track your applications.
The odds of getting contacted are much higher in the first couple days of the posting, as opposed to a posting that has been up for several weeks.
Consider reaching out directly to the hiring manager or job poster with a personalized note expressing interest and qualifications.
This is a great way to show your level of interest and provide a personal touch.
To get the most out of LinkedIn, it is imperative to have a strong profile. LinkedIn allows you to paint a detailed picture of who you are as a professional. Ensure that every section is populated with accurate and clear information.
Add a brief but strong headline that reflects who you are as a professional.
Fill out a first-person professional summary in the “About” section.
This will give the hiring manager a description of you that goes beyond your resume.
Add key words that are relevant to your field throughout the “Experience” and “Skills & Endorsements” section.
This will go a long way in helping your profile get found by recruiters through specific key word searches.
Add a clear and professional picture or headshot.
Include any volunteer work under the “Volunteer Experience” section.
Make a custom URL.
Your URL should reflect LinkedIn.com/”your name”, as opposed to the random numbers you are automatically assigned. This will appear much better when including your LinkedIn URL on your resume.
Prioritize showcasing your work.
Add blogs, videos, slide shows and other media projects that you have created in the past.
Networking in a Virtual Environment
LinkedIn is a great place to virtually network, and now is the time to take advantage of the rampant use of virtual meetings. With the stay at home order in place, many individuals are choosing to connect virtually via video.
Consider connecting with colleagues via a “virtual cup of coffee”.
This is a great opportunity to connect with an old colleague or meet with a new connection.
Meet with people to tell your story and discuss your background, this can lead to potential opportunities that weren’t previously considered.
There are also a wide variety of free educational classes taking place on LinkedIn.
These serve as a great opportunity to strengthen your knowledge base and develop new skills.
Don’t hesitate to ask for advice.
The LinkedIn community is full of knowledgeable professionals willing to help.
Video Interview Preparation
As businesses continue to fill high priority roles, video interviews are being substituted for the traditional in-person meetings. Participating in a video interview may be a new experience for some, so it is critical to be prepared.
Ensure you have a stable internet connection.
Test the video interview platform beforehand and ensure your video connection is strong and your picture is clear.
Practice via video and record yourself.
This is a great opportunity to watch and review how you appear on camera.
Don’t forget to dress for success.
We suggest dressing the exact same that you would for the traditional in-person interview.
Lastly, be sure your video interview is taking place in a professional setting that will be free of distractions and ensure that your camera is positioned correctly.
Avoid the camera being too close, far, high or low and display strong posture.
The Purple Squirrel Take
The drastic changes that have disrupted our daily routines present an opportunity to find a silver lining. Commit to preparing yourself as a strong candidate despite the circumstances and utilize best practices that position you to achieve success. This time of uncertainty has presented a plethora of unexpected challenges but also serves as an opportunity for growth and development.