Thinking of Changing Jobs? Here’s What You Need to Know
If you were thinking of changing jobs prior to the pandemic and shutdown, or if you’re still contemplating it, here’s what you need to know.
You may be thinking:
· People are losing their jobs. Why would I look for one?
· All recruiting is frozen. Why should I apply to jobs now?
· It’s a bad time to leave a secure job.
You are right that layoffs, furloughs, and pay cuts are happening in all kinds of industries and across all different job roles. I have a lot of anecdotal evidence of it. Here’s some additional real-time evidence (user generated):
· candor.co/hiring-freezes
· http://layoffs.fyi/
However, many companies are interviewing and hiring because they have needs for a variety of types of professionals.
Generally hiring has slowed so it may take longer than normal to secure a new job, but it’s still possible. Typically it takes about three to six months or longer for a mid- to senior-level professional to find the right fit. You may want to add an additional month or two to that timeframe, but it will honestly depend on your area of expertise. If your skills are in demand now, the timeline could be much shorter.
There is no better investment than your career. If you’re unhappy at work, it affects all other aspects of your life. Investing in yourself during this time could be the most meaningful thing you do.
What are we seeing?
Clients are interviewing for jobs in large technology firms, e-commerce, and education companies.
Jobs are being posted daily in diverse industries and companies, including:
· E-commerce companies (e.g., Amazon)
· Companies with an online platform and support remote work (e.g., Squarespace, Zoom, Trello, Zapier, Asana, and Basecamp)
· Big tech companies plus agencies & vendors that support them (e.g., Facebook, VMWare)
· Delivery services (e.g., Instacart)
· Supermarkets (e.g., Wegman’s, Kroger)
· Healthcare and pharmaceutical companies (e.g., GSK, Philips)
· Manufacturing companies supporting the COVID-19 response (e.g., Honeywell, Unilever)
· Online education providers (e.g., Outschool)
· Digital entertainment/video games/streaming services (e.g., Cox Enterprises, Netflix)
· Companies with seasonal needs (e.g., Intuit)
· State and federal government (various)
Find other companies hiring during COVID-19 here.
Don’t think you’re a fit for any of the industries above?
If you read through the above industries and don’t think your skills are a good match, I encourage you to think more broadly about your experience.
First, make a list of the industries in which you have you worked.
Second, add to the list industries with which you’ve worked in your career (e.g., as partners, suppliers, or vendors)?
Third, add to the list any volunteer organizations, professional affiliations, and the industries they touch.
Cross-check your list with the list of those hiring above and see if there are parallels.
What opportunities can I take advantage of now?
If you’re eager to put yourself out there but these industries still don’t sound right to you, consider opportunities you can take advantage of now. This may require looking into a different type of job entirely, or something short-term, flexible, remote, or even where you can volunteer strategically in a way that will help you achieve your future goals or even lead to a position down the road.
Check out these remote work sites:
· Best Sites for Finding Remote Jobs - 25 sites for finding remote jobs
· Pangian.com - Curated remote jobs at reputable companies
· Powertofly.com - Recruiting platform that connects companies to women in tech, sales, marketing, and digital.
When you apply…
Maintain a positive mindset as much as possible during this time. Otherwise, your anxiety, self-doubt, and/or desperation will come across when networking and interviewing. It’s the same advice that applies when you’re unemployed and seeking employment. Mindset truly matters. If you tell yourself, there is a job out there for me, you are more likely to network, apply, look for, and secure new opportunities.
Due to current layoffs, there will be more competition for you as a job candidate. While you can’t control these factors, you can get a head-start by continuing to job search now.
Networking and contacting hiring managers will give you the best chance of finding a new job.
· 85% of jobs are filled through referrals. While you may not get a new job tomorrow, you need to build your network to help you secure future opportunities.
Ask yourself: who can I reach out to in my network to check in with and schedule a phone or video call? Many people are working at home now, and this is a great opportunity to check in.
Ask yourself: Are there companies or industries where I don’t have connections and want to build them? Look at your alumni networks, 2nd degree connections on LinkedIn, or consider sending a cold message to ask for a brief email or phone conversation. You can connect through LinkedIn by sending a personal message or use a site like mailscoop.io to find email addresses of people you may be trying to reach at different companies.
Your messages should show empathy. Everyone is experiencing challenges now. Connect human to human first.
This is always true, but even more so in uncertain times like these: you must stay top of mind and do it in the right way. Be patient but persistent. Follow up every one to two weeks.
How to prepare for interviews
Most interviewing is now being done through phone or video. Prepare for a video interview ahead of time and make sure you know how to use the technology platform. Treat it the same as an in-person interview and do it in a room without distractions. Turn off your phone and dress for an in-person interview.
You may be asked how you are handling the shutdown. In order to demonstrate resilience, be prepared to talk about how you’re thriving. How are you handling the things you cannot control?
Make a list of possible objections the employer may have to hiring you. Brainstorm answers as to how you’ll address them if asked.
Join career coach Danielle Droitsch and me for a weekly online community workshop Career Planning During the Lockdown, starting on April 22. During the first session, we’ll tackle “What Questions Should I Ask Myself Now to Prepare for a Job Change?”