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How To Get A New Job During A Pandemic

The thought of looking for a new career opportunity during a pandemic, especially if you’re currently employed and have remained employed since the pandemic happened, may sound crazy. But for some people, myself included, it’s been worth the risk. I was previously employed with a company I’d been seeking to move forward from a little over a year before the pandemic happened. When the world paused, I transitioned into being a remote worker, and things at work grew increasingly stressful and demanding. I’d even paused on my career search because, at the time, I wasn’t sure how one could interview and land a new opportunity since many people were being laid off and trying to figure out what to do next. Although I was discontented, I was advised not to make any sudden changes with all the uncertainty happening in the world. However, I couldn’t sit with my discontent anymore. So I decided to do what I could until things changed. And they did. Here’s how. 

Revise your résumé. One of the first things I did before the pandemic occurred was review and update my résumé (and my writing portfolio). I also had my résumé reviewed by mentors and friends who provided constructive and encouraging feedback about things I needed to do and could change to make it better. When I applied the recommended changes, my résumé improved, and I started getting more calls and requests for interviews soon after. I also created an account on LinkedIn to connect and network with other professionals too.

 

If necessary, consider going back to school. Before I finished my bachelor’s degree, I’d already been thinking about doing a master’s degree too. It’s just that I wanted to get more work experience first. Upon doing research of my own and weighing the pros and cons of obtaining an additional degree, I learned that with the kind of work I was previously doing, a master’s wouldn’t benefit me financially or ensure any promotions. So I shelved going back to school up until I started teaching this past fall. As a new educator, I have professional studies requirements to complete, all of which are education courses at the graduate level that can go towards a master’s degree if I pursue that route. It also turns out that being an English major worked to my advantage because it was a great endorsement that opened the door to teaching in the first place. All of this to say that if you want new opportunities, if necessary, consider going to school or going back if and as needed. Having a quality education can open up more opportunities for you, and if employers see that you’ve been committed enough to invest in yourself, they’ll want to invest in you too.   

 

Be persistent and keep the faith. Although I temporarily paused on looking for a new job at the height of the pandemic and wrestled with a handful of doubts when I put my natural mind on how things might work out, I remained persistent about the changes I wanted to make. Once I made up my mind that I wasn’t going to stay at the previous job I was at, I kept applying for new jobs even when I felt discouraged, and it seemed like nothing was happening. No matter how bad things were where I was, I kept working and praying and submitting applications. Then I waited for God to do what I couldn’t. He is the reason why doors have opened for me because without His approval, they wouldn’t open. Matthew 19:26 reads, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Be persistent and keep the faith. You can do this. If you’re seeking new opportunities, don’t quit. You never know when things are going to change. 

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