Six Job Search Tips To Get You Started As We Move Closer To Reopening The Economy

Jack Kelly

You’ve been at home for weeks or maybe a couple of months now. It's hard to keep track of time, as the days have started to blur together. Helplessly, you watch the news about 26 million people losing their jobs since mid-March and filing for unemployment. There’s a constant struggle to work from home, homeschool your kids and try not to go stir-crazy from being housebound for so long. If you’ve lost your job or are currently worried about losing it, you suffer with an added overhang of stress and anxiety. 

There’s some hope on the horizon. We’re getting closer to the economy reopening and returning to some sort of a new normalcy. This also comes with trepidation about health risks and how the economy will hold up. Will we face a resurgent virus outbreak once we settle into our routine, which includes commuting on crowded trains and buses? 

If you’re in between jobs or worried about losing your position, future prospects look bleak. In addition to the millions already downsized, there’s talk of millions more who will suffer the same fate. Companies are enacting hiring freezes, as they don’t have a clue as to what will happen next. You'll be thrusted into the worst job market since the Great Depression.

The reality is that—for many—you have no choice but to forge ahead despite the strong headwind working against you. Here’s what you need to do now.

1) Start doing something and take action, even if it's little baby steps. 

It's easy to tell yourself that you’ll wait until things get better. That may or may not happen any time soon. Procrastination won't change anything—only proactive actions will. There’s nothing to gain by feeling sorry for yourself. It's okay to be afraid of jumping off of the high diving board. For now, just dip your toe in the water and start swimming later.   

2) Prepare a plan of attack. 

If you can remember football games or live sports, the players just don't run around willy-nilly. The teams devise plans that they’ll execute on game day and continually practice and run drills. Similarly, you will need to create a job search game plan. 

You can start by updating your résumé and Linkedin profile. Then, contact some recruiters who specialize in your space. Search job boards and apply to relevant listings. Tap into your network to gain leads to find the right person at the company you want to work at. 

Practice your elevator pitch and role play the interview with someone you trust. 

Familiarize yourself with Zoom and other online video technologies, as that is what companies will use to interview for the foreseeable future.

See all 6 tips and the complete Forbes article