Job search planning during a pandemic

Ken Pelczarski | TLT Career Coach January 2021

These job search action plan tips will help you navigate the job market during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

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Are you considering changing employers during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic? If so, you will quickly find that the current job market is vastly different from a non-pandemic market, from the standpoint of hiring processes as well as the volume and types of job opportunities available.

COVID-19 hit the job market and entire U.S. economy hard starting in March 2020. Even with effective vaccines and therapeutics, most studies show that only a small percentage of employers plan to backfill positions in the first half of 2021, while the majority of employers plan to fill these positions in the second half of 2021 or later.

What does all this mean for your job search? For starters, the shortage of opportunities and uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 make it more difficult to plan for your future and to find the right long-term position to achieve your career goals. This does not mean you should give up on finding a great opportunity in today’s lackluster job market. In fact, even if you are somewhat happy with your job, you should always be working hard to improve yourself either with your current employer or by changing employers.

Career success is measured by factors such as experience, accomplishments, professional relationships, work ethic, integrity and job moves. A smart progression of position changes within your current company and/or through switching employers is essential for a successful career.

MAKING THE DECISION TO CHANGE JOBS
How do you make the decision to change positions?

Make the most of your current job. First and foremost, you need to take care of what you have now (i.e., maximize opportunities within your current company). Without raising eyebrows that you might be job searching, be sure to discuss important job issues and concerns with management and look at how your own goals and company goals can both be satisfied.

Look at the big picture. Changing jobs should be a well-planned venture, not a reactionary one. Be careful about changing jobs due to a short-term problem at your company, an isolated disagreement with your boss or simply for a small increase in pay.

Evaluate your current company. Look at your company’s history, direction, profitability, competitive standing, growth plans, resources, financial stability, buyout risk, management style, promotion policies, turnover, morale, work environment and culture. Since the pandemic hit, your job satisfaction might have greatly increased or decreased depending upon your employer’s stability and the ability of company leadership to manage the COVID-19 business climate safely and profitably. Based on factors important to you, decide if there is likely a better company out there for you.

Change for significant improvements. The key question when considering changing jobs is if you can significantly improve your short-term job satisfaction, as well as improve your overall career credentials and potential opportunities down the road.

Take a good look at how happy you are now and if you can significantly improve any or all of the following by changing jobs:
• Challenge level
• Responsibility level
• Day-to-day enjoyment
• Relative job security
• Growth pace
• Recognition and visibility
• Financial rewards.

Play the percentages. Your job security might be in question because of company unprofitability, potential cutbacks or a rumored or completed buyout/merger. The toughest decision to make is when there is limited information available. In these instances, you need to acquire as much information as possible from reliable sources to determine the odds of various scenarios occurring. Look closely at negative trends with your employer during the COVID-19 pandemic such as downsizings and reductions in hours or pay. You can then decide if these trends are likely to continue and if you should explore other employment options.

Job search action plan tips (pandemic or non-pandemic job market)
1. Career goals and search parameters
a. Determine your main goals in making a job change.
b. List fields of interest to you.
c. Decide if you will consider relocation.
2. Networking and support
a. Obtain family support.
b. Contact professionals in your network to inform them of your job search and career goals.
c. Plan to attend industry meetings, trade shows and conferences.
d. Inform references of your job search and career goals.
3. Prepare documentation
a. Update your resume.
b. Write a template cover letter (to be tailored for each opportunity).
c. Document your skill set and achievements.
d. Update list of publications, presentations and patents.
e. Prepare list of references.
f. Obtain letters of recommendation from references.
4. Market research
a. Locate specific target companies.
b. Research what you are worth.
5. Sources of job leads
a. Identify primary job lead sources you will use regularly.
b. Team up with recommended, trusted recruiters who will work in your interests and maintain confidentiality.
6. Social media and job boards
a. Update your LinkedIn profile.
b. Post your resume online (depending upon level of discretion desired) on sites such as Indeed, Monster, Careerbuilder and the STLE Career Center.
7. Interview planning
a. Review common interview questions.
b. Practice your interview responses.
c. Be prepared to discuss salary when an employer inquires.
8. Current employer/transition planning
a. Maintain allegiance to your current employer by giving 100% effort until departure.
b. Avoid using company time for online searching or telephone interviews.
c. Review terms of your non-compete agreement.



Additional job search action plan tips (pandemic job market)
1. Deciding to leave your employer
a. Determine if there is too much risk (e.g., safety, health, job security) in making a job change during the COVID-19 pandemic.
b. Decide if you should stay put because your employer is taking good care of you during the pandemic.
2. Networking
a. Plan a virtual networking strategy.
b. Enhance your ability to network on LinkedIn.
3. Prepare documentation
a. Update your resume to include virtual leadership responsibilities.
b. Update your template cover letter to emphasize accomplishments during the pandemic.
4. Market research
a. Research what fields are thriving during the pandemic.
b. Research what specific companies are doing well during the pandemic.
5. Interview planning
a. Become proficient with video technology such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Duo (both for job interviews and for virtual company meetings).
b. Practice video job interviewing through simulation with family, friends and colleagues.
c. Plan to discuss new learning you have acquired during the COVID-19 pandemic.
d. Be prepared to explain why you would be a motivated and productive remote employee.
e. Be ready to answer questions about smart ways to conduct business virtually.
f. Be prepared to promote your successes during the pandemic in areas of enhancing professional relationships and new business development.
g. Plan to trigger a firm hiring decision by proving your value and by quantifying the benefit you bring (especially when an employer is procrastinating in making a hiring decision because of COVID-19).
6. Planning to choose the right long-term employer
a. Make sure the employer has a solid long-term plan for the position (many new positions have been quickly eliminated during the pandemic).
b. Look for trends in how specific companies are conducting business during COVID-19:
• Layoffs and furloughs
• Job re-assignments
• Pay cuts and freezes
• Changes in market strategies
• Restructuring
• Making wholesale management changes
• Closing facilities.
c. Learn how specific companies are treating employees and keeping them safe in the following ways during COVID-19:
• Adhering to CDC guidelines
• Mandating mask wearing
• Enforcing social distancing
• Encouraging hand washing
• No handshaking
• Safe travel policies
• Consistent communication about pandemic developments
• Restrictive company visitor policies
• COVID-19 testing protocols
• Temperature taking
• Allowing for remote work
• Conducting virtual meetings
• Physical modification to facilities
• Emergency planning.

Although I am an eternal optimist, I believe that COVID-19 will impact the job market significantly through at least 2021.

A thorough evaluation of your current job combined with a solid job search plan will raise your comfort level in making a firm commitment to switch companies when the right opportunity emerges. Focus on joining a company that is taking great care of their employees and keeping them safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.