Navigating the Job Search During Challenging Times

Photo by Travis Saylor/Pexels

From October 2011 to September 2012, I was part of the average 8.3% unemployment rate the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported for that time period. While my time in the job search paled in comparison to the rapidly increasing rates that some are projecting due to the current COVID-19 threat, a few tips I picked up during that time (and have continued using) still apply.

Make Minor, Then Major Renovations to Your Resume

There’s a rule that I adhere to when writing anything: If I think I’m done, walk away from it for a while. When I come back to it, I can guarantee you that I will make edits.

The same can be said about a resume. I’m constantly adding relevant statistical data and thinking up new ways to describe my skills and accomplishments. Plus, once a quarter, I sit down and take a critical look at the document and make as many major changes as I can. Basically, never view it as done, but as a document that will be growing and improving as your skills do.

Knowing the keywords that relate to your target job and making sure they’re in your LinkedIn profile and resume will help the right people find you. My profile is far from perfect, but with the help of LinkedIn expert Terry Sullivan early on, I’ve tried to match it up to my general job title of “communications professional.”

Keywords Really Are Key

The word “communications” shows up 19 times and the phrase “communications professional” is listed eight times. Other specialties are also listed, such as “photography” (18 times), “social media” (14 times), “content” (13 times), “publications” (11 times) and “graphics” (six times).

Early on in my search, a recruiter shared an interesting point: Updating your online profiles over the weekend puts you higher in the search results when recruiters get in the office on Monday.  When you think about it, this makes perfect sense. The results returned by searches show the most updated sites first.

Weekend Update

Many people (myself included) make at the very least minor updates on Sunday and upload the resume or save the profile to various sites (LinkedIn, Indeed, Monster, CareerBuilder, etc.).

One downside to this: While it could get recruiters’ attention, it could also result in being contacted by multiple people for the same position or even listings that don’t even come close to your target job or skill set.  

While things might currently be a bit slow due to COVID-19, now is the time to get to the top of the results when the job market does pick back up.

(Virtually) Get Out of the House

Keeping your online profiles updated is important, but networking directly with other people is critical. In the past I’ve advocated finding local networking groups (one of the best resources in the Dallas/Fort Worth area is CareerDFW.org) or focusing on organizations related to your industry. In my search, networking events help by organizations such as the American Marketing Association (AMA) or thInternational Association of Business Communicators (IABC) were great for a few reasons:

1. The networking events are sometimes fairly inexpensive.

2. I didn’t have to spend forever explaining to other attendees what my job entailed.

3. They sometimes had insight into the hiring status of companies in the industry.

4. Many of those attending events have been in the job search and sometimes can offer great insight on the process.

Additionally, some organizations will sometimes offer a reduced rate or even extend your existing membership at no cost if you let them know you’re in the job search.

Having said that, there’s also the issue of a pandemic keeping many of us at home and a number of these organizations are responding with online networking options.  IABC has transformed World Conference, its yearly member event, into a virtual event and the Dallas chapter has taken the same approach with their monthly educational luncheons.

Career strategist and workplace consultant J.T. O’Donnell recently published a great piece titled “5 Unique Ways To Network During A Crisis” that includes suggestions such as hosting a virtual meet up.

(Site note: O’Donnell regularly posts very informative career search tips, so consider following her on LinkedIn).

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

To say these are challenging times is a major understatement. Being in the job search is tough enough as it is and the COVID-19 pandemic adds one more major obstacle. Doing everything you can, though, to put yourself ahead of the other job seekers will pay off in the long run.