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As the Head of Career Services at CareerFoundry, there are some questions I find myself being asked repeatedly amid the global pandemic. \u201cAre companies still hiring?\u201d \u201cWill I still be able to work remotely after this?\u201d \u201cShould I still apply for jobs, or should I wait until this is all over?\u201d \u201cCan CareerFoundry really continue to offer the job guarantee?\u201d<\/p>\n
These have been devastating and unusual times, and the reality is that the global pandemic is still radically altering both the economy and the job search process. In some industries, jobs have been radically reduced\u2014or have even disappeared. Many companies face the pressure to adapt their operations to the realities of social distancing, as well as support other companies in their own quest for survival in the new economy.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re feeling overwhelmed, CareerFoundry is here to help. Here, I\u2019ll answer some of the most common questions we get from students and graduates about job searching during the Covid-19 pandemic. I\u2019ll also offer up some tips and tricks to help you remain adaptable, proactive, and prepared in your upcoming job search.<\/p>\n
While some companies may have initially scaled back their hiring while they take stock of their market position, many of the fields mentioned above are relatively stable\u2014and have already resumed hiring in order to continue growing. In the early days of the pandemic, I predicted that as companies adapted, we would see a heightened demand for UX and UI designers, web developers, and data analysts\u2014all those skilled professionals who can support companies in rolling out new software across a range of sectors. As the months have gone on, this has largely proven to be the case.<\/p>\n
Certain industries have weathered the storm better than others, and some companies are even thriving in the current climate. Let\u2019s look more closely at some of the sectors that continue to offer an abundance of opportunities:<\/p>\n
Products related to telemedicine and clinical assessment tools, as well as basic research and development in healthcare, need to be developed\u2014perhaps more so now than ever. To get into this field, we recommend researching local companies and organizations which deal with health informatics, electronic medical records, patient care, clinical assessment, and diagnostic tools. Likewise, personal health and wellness apps are experiencing a boom as more people look for ways to stay fit at home. Though this trend may dip slightly as reopening continues, growth is set to remain steady.<\/p>\n
As social distancing has become an ongoing reality for many people, especially those with heightened risks for adverse outcomes from coronavirus, the home delivery and logistics industry is facing a critical need to design and roll out innovative solutions. The customer base will need to be presented with easy to use and accessible options to get products and services provided at home. Look into companies already offering delivery services through a digital interface, as well as newcomers intent on catering to targeted segments of the population.<\/p>\n
During this outbreak, it\u2019s become apparent that education will increasingly need to be delivered in an accessible online format. Traditional educational institutions will need to create ways of offering quality education to students remotely. Likewise, corporate training providers will need to offer remote options, and existing skills training and upgrading companies will need to adapt their products to cope with increased demand. Take advantage of the experience of learning remotely, as you could then in turn help companies and institutions in creating the tools and products which their clients will be demanding.<\/p>\n
Even though the pandemic Netflix boom is waning<\/a>, digital media and entertainment companies will continue to look for new ways to bring their services to even more people. Applications and products designed to help people connect while practicing social distancing continue to be in higher demand.<\/p>\n As we continue to see an increase in remote opportunities, be on the lookout for companies building tools to remotely support distance learning, team collaboration, and information sharing.<\/p>\n On top of remote working gaining popularity due to the pandemic, so too has there been growth in automation across a whole swathe of industries. In fact, a July 2020 survey<\/a>\u00a0of 800 senior executives showed that two thirds were increasing their investment in AI and automation. This will come as good news for web developers and data analysts, who should start to see more and more opportunities to work in this area.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s face it\u2014remote working has been the major factor for a lot of companies in the past year. Study after study has shown that the majority of people would be keen to retain the flexibility, family time, and shorter commutes in the future. Many top companies have openly embraced a permanent home office setup, but what\u2019s becoming more popular is a compromise\u2014hybrid working. Simply put, this is where employees are only required to come into the office two or three days a week, working remotely the rest of the time. This concept has been openly adopted by a large amount of firms including Google<\/a>, Microsoft<\/a>, and Meta (formerly Facebook).<\/p>\n From health and safety concerns to quality of life, there are many reasons why you may not be so keen to go back to a job that makes you work in an office. Already, however, we are seeing a large amount of employees being encouraged back into workplaces as the pandemic recedes. So what kinds of jobs could enable you to possibly avoid this?<\/p>\n Another study into remote work<\/a> estimates that over half the workforce will not be able to work remotely. Those that will be able to expect to work fully remote in the future are \u201chighly skilled, highly educated workers\u201d. The analysis highlighted that roles which involved interacting with computers as well as processing and analyzing information were most likely to spend the most time working remotely. It\u2019s clear to see then that UX and UI design, data analysis, and web development will continue to enable workers to work remotely in the future, should you so wish.<\/p>\n CareerFoundry\u2019s Job Guarantee is based on the best practices we know help students get jobs, regardless of the economy. To be successful in a global recession, it\u2019s true you need to be even more on the ball than you normally would\u2014but we truly believe that armed with the right attitude and support, you can find a job in any economic climate.<\/p>\n Whether it\u2019s for a remote position, freelancing, or an on-site role, job seekers will need to be proactive in demonstrating value to potential colleagues and employer\/client(s) in order to succeed.<\/p>\n Below, we\u2019ve outlined some tips to help you along the way.<\/p>\n The first interaction an employer or client has with you is through your resume, cover letter, and portfolio. For employers to get a real sense of what you bring to the table, you have to showcase the very best of what you can do. They don\u2019t have time to try to figure it out\u2014your value needs to be clearly defined in the portfolio or resume that you send them.<\/p>\n When applying for a job, focus on meeting the company\u2019s needs. Job searching is about demonstrating unique value, rather than blending in with the crowd. As many remote positions are more word of mouth than location-dependent, networking with remote workers is a good strategy. Check job boards like Remotive.io<\/a> or weworkremotely.com<\/a>, and seek out listings on remote-only company websites.<\/p>\n Companies are hiring in the midst of a pandemic which requires people to work from home. When searching for jobs, it\u2019s essential to emphasize that you\u2019re already very familiar with remote work. Throughout your CareerFoundry program, you\u2019ll have studied independently, collaborated with various stakeholders entirely remotely, and learned how to receive (and act on) feedback remotely. Simply by completing the program, you\u2019ve proven that you are able to direct your own growth\u2014you don\u2019t need someone in the room, standing over you, to ensure you get things done. These are exactly the qualities that employers are looking for right now! CareerFoundry graduates are better equipped than most to succeed in a remote working environment, so be sure to drive this point home in your applications.<\/p>\n There\u2019s no denying that competition for jobs is especially fierce right now. Many companies had to downsize or furlough employees as a short-term response to the pandemic, which can mean that industry newcomers are competing with more experienced professionals for entry-level jobs. So what can you do? The key here is to recognize, and convey, the unique value that you bring as a newcomer to the field. Unlike mid-level or senior designers, developers, and analysts, you\u2019ll be coming in with a \u201cclean slate.\u201d You haven\u2019t worked in the industry before, so you\u2019re not as jaded or creatively restricted by assumptions or preconceptions. You\u2019ll ask different kinds of questions and bring fresh ideas. Ultimately, this is what helps companies to grow and innovate, and that\u2019s the value you need to convey when you\u2019re up against more seasoned job-seekers.<\/p>\n As previously mentioned, certain sectors are flourishing in the current climate while others are struggling. It therefore makes sense to focus your job search on companies who are doing well. And, I can\u2019t emphasize this enough, make sure you tailor your application to each individual company. Identify the specific needs and goals that are unique to them, and explain what value you would bring. Nothing excites an employer more than an application from someone who is genuinely invested in working for them. Convey that as much as possible.<\/p>\n Just because we\u2019re all getting used to working remotely, doesn\u2019t mean your job search needs to be put on hold! Remain proactive by regularly reaching out to your contacts and checking in on how they\u2019re doing. Ask them their opinion on how their business or industry is going to adapt and get their feedback on current job search strategies, portfolio, and goals. Be sure to keep your skills sharp and your portfolio up to date by coming up with cool projects to work on. Don\u2019t give up\u2014you never know where the next opportunity will come from!<\/p>\n We will keep the Job Guarantee. We believe in the quality of our courses and programs, and we believe they will enable our graduates to start new careers. There\u2019s no denying that the job search process is more competitive now than it was six months ago, but we\u2019re committed to continuing to support our graduates throughout their job hunting journeys. In short, we\u2019ll be with you every step of the way.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s have a quick refresh of some of the core elements of the job guarantee:<\/p>\n For many, job searching is already a highly anxiety-inducing affair\u2014and with the uncertainty of the global pandemic continuing to exacerbate our collective fears about the future, it\u2019s natural to feel overwhelmed by the task ahead of you. If there\u2019s one thing to take away, it\u2019s that you\u2019re not alone. Your career specialist is there to put your fears at ease, and break down what may feel like a mountainous process into smaller, more manageable steps. Between your mentor, your career specialist, and the wider CareerFoundry community on Slack, Facebook, and LinkedIn, support is always only a quick message away.<\/p>\n Keep the communication fluid, set regular goals, and we\u2019ll do everything in our power to help you get there.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In this article, I’ll address some of the core concerns from our students and graduates about job searching during Covid-19\u2014and outline some tips and tricks to help you navigate your job search during this period of economic uncertainty.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":139,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":""},"class_list":["post-16542","magazine","type-magazine","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"meta_title":"Job Searching During Covid-19? A Career Specialist Offers His Advice","meta_description":"In this article, CareerFoundry's head of career services Mike McCulloch addresses some of the most common questions about job searching during Covid-19.","meta_image":"https:\/\/careerfoundry.inbearbeitung.de\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/remote_working_cafe-min-1.jpg","canonical_url":"https:\/\/careerfoundry.inbearbeitung.de\/en\/magazine\/job-searching-covid-19\/","magazine_header_text":"Interested in a career tech? Take the first step in transforming your career and start learning a new skill for free today!","magazine_buttons_header":"Try a free short course to see which is the career for you.","header_image":"https:\/\/careerfoundry.inbearbeitung.de\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/header_banner-458.png","cookie_contact_set_magazine_header_text":"Curious about a career in tech? 4-12 months is all it takes\u2014find out how by speaking to your program advisor today.","cookie_contact_set_magazine_buttons_header":"Click below to arrange your call \u2013 it only takes two minutes!","embeds_code":"Software and applications that support remote working<\/h4>\n
Will I be able to continue working from home after the pandemic?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Can CareerFoundry still \u201cguarantee\u201d its students a job in the current situation (and future), and how?<\/h3>\n
Focus on personal branding<\/h4>\n
Tailor your application to the role<\/h4>\n
Use your experience with CareerFoundry to set yourself apart<\/h4>\n
Use your \u201cnewcomer\u201d status to your advantage<\/h4>\n
Target the right companies<\/h4>\n
Don\u2019t give up!<\/h4>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/d2ndlgeoq4u3ju.cloudfront.net\/covid-interview.jpg\" "\\"A")
<\/p>\nConsidering the circumstances, do you plan to keep the Job Guarantee as it is?<\/h3>\n
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Final thoughts<\/h3>\n