If you are looking for a job during COVID-19, you might find yourself feeling a bit discouraged. It might feel like no one is hiring. It is important, though, to remain positive. There are several things that you can do to help you maintain positivity during the job search.

Remember Things That Thrive During Adversity

Many successful companies have their roots in times of economic difficulty. For example, General Motors started in 1908 during a recession. Burger King first opened in 1953, during the post-Korean War recession.

It is also worth noting that some plants and flowers, including the coneflower, actually do better after a fire. You can be like the coneflower, allowing this difficult time to make you stronger.

Focus on Remote Skills

Many companies are hiring remotely and are having their employees work remotely right now. This gives you a great opportunity to highlight your remote skills on the job search. If you’ve used video technology such as GoToWebinar or Zoom, make sure to highlight that on your resume and other job-related documents. If you have experience using Google Docs or other file-sharing software, emphasize that on your resume. Be sure to include how you used these services and software. When you get an interview, be sure to emphasize your experience using these skills.

If you are unfamiliar with video technology or file-sharing software, now is a great chance to become familiar with them. You likely have a family member or friend who can help you understand how to use this technology and who can explain it to you. You may even want to complete the Google Cloud certification, especially if you have limited previous experience with this technology.

Highlight Soft Skills

You should also highlight soft skills, particularly those that will translate well to working from home. Be ready to provide specific examples and to expand on them during your interview. For example, time management is very important when you are working from home. People who do not have good time management skills may struggle to maintain an effective schedule when they encounter distractions at home. You can also highlight other soft skills, such as work ethic, dependability, teamwork, and written communication. Be ready to talk about each of these skills during your interview.

Your resume and cover letters for jobs now will likely look a lot different from the resume and cover letters that you would have submitted a year ago. It is important to be adaptable and to be ready to focus on the skills that are most essential in the current job market.

Practice Your Interview During the Job Search

One of the most important ways that you stay positive is to practice interviewing. Many companies are currently doing remote interviews. If you’ve always interviewed in-person before, interviewing remotely is going to feel different. You want to feel comfortable in front of the camera. Practice interviewing through a video chat with a friend or family member. Have the person offer constructive criticism. This person may give you tips on your camera angle, lighting, background, or other areas where you need to improve. Having a practice interview or interviews will also allow you to test your equipment to make sure that it works properly and that your interviewer will be able to see and hear you clearly. Your real interviewer will likely be able to sense the increased confidence that you gained by practicing rather than showing up to your interview unprepared. Also, plan on bringing excitement and energy to the screen. Think about how you’ll tell your resume story with enthusiasm.

Focus on Companies That Are Actively Hiring

Your dream company may not be hiring right now, but there are definitely many companies that are still actively looking for candidates. While there is nothing wrong with sending your resume to your dream company in the hopes of being hired, you are much more likely to get a job if you focus on companies that are actively hiring. Plus, you are more likely to be able to maintain a positive outlook on your job search if you are seeing results.

Find More Ways to Stay Motivated During the Job Search

Contact us for more tips on maintaining a positive outlook during your job search. We can also help you find the right job for you.