How and where do you start looking for a job? Just the thought of looking for a job is stressful enough – figuring out how to do it in the world we now find ourselves in can have us feeling lost and hopeless.

Whether you are currently looking for a job or at some point suddenly find yourself in need to do so, please do take action –– you are not alone and many companies are hiring.

My approach to successfully navigating a job search in difficult times is to take one coordinated, purposeful, and progressive step at a time to generate momentum and results.

Here are eight key ways to navigate a successful job search during a Pandemic

1️⃣ 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻. What is your Vision, Mission, Goals? Strengths and opportunities? What tools or training do you require?

2️⃣ 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴. In a world where we now find ourselves staying at home, reaching out and being social gives the added benefit of reducing the feeling of isolation.

Cultivate, renew, and deepen relationships by helping and sharing with people––a career-long best practice for success. Today, this can be done by phone, email, and virtual meetings. I like using Zoom for virtual meetings – you can enjoy a free subscription for 1-1 meetings.

3️⃣ 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀. Master the strategies and skills required of a “Job Applicant.” Everything you say, do, write or represent counts.

Today, job interviews are being conducted via phone and virtual meetings. Best practices for virtual interviews include: Check and test the meeting technology, check room lighting, choose an appropriate and clean background, dress appropriately, make sure you are in a quiet place, practice with someone, and the camera should be at eye level with you looking into the camera when you are speaking.

4️⃣ 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴. Your online presence has never been more important than today. Update your LinkedIn profile, resume, executive bio, cover letters, and other communications to ensure you are articulating your unique value to employers.

5️⃣ 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹-𝗕𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴. Take care of yourself and enhance your skills and knowledge for competitive advantage. LinkedIn Learning is a platform for professional development offered to premium members. However, due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, LinkedIn is regularly releasing free classes for all of its members.

6️⃣ 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲. Believe in yourself or no one else will. Your talents are not “less than” if you find yourself suddenly thrown into a job search. All of your expertise, skills and accomplishments come with you and will provide value to a new organization.

7️⃣ 𝗔𝗴𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 & 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲. Be agile for new opportunities. Challenge yourself to jump out of your comfort zone to discover new possibilities. Everything that is new is new for just a moment – then it’s not. Find the courage to try something new – see what happens.

Rejection happens and although it can seem personal – it never is. I liken hiring decisions to that of casting actors for a movie role. If Judy Dench, Meryl Streep, and Helen Mirren auditioned for the same role, two acting icons would not be chosen and one would. If Judy Dench was cast, it would mean that she was best suited for the role. It wouldn’t discount Meryl Streep’s or Helen Mirren’s talents. Be resilient for the rejection, and for waiting on return calls, return emails, and for the entirety of the hiring process.

8️⃣ 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 & 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁. Keep momentum with all aspects of your job search to get to the finish line. Finding a job is a process that takes time. Starting and stopping is counter-productive.

Build a team of great people around you that can keep you motivated and on track.

People always ask, “What are my chances for finding a job.” My answer is “People who are committed and do the ‘work’ find a job.

Navigate your job search with a regular daily schedule to keep momentum and achieve your goals. Be kind to yourself and be well.

Picture Your Success!

Marjorie Kavanagh

Marjorie Kavanagh is the CEO of Panoramic Resumes, LLC. She established Panoramic Resumes based on her career-long devotion to helping people manage their careers and find meaningful employment.

Marjorie developed a unique business model that delivers a full complement of marketing material for a modern job search along with built-in consultation to help people rediscover their value and articulate it with confidence to employers.

Marjorie is known by her clients as a confidence builder and as someone who deeply cares about helping others. Marjorie is also a Top LinkedIn ProFinder Resume Writer.