COVID-19

Laid Off During the COVID-19 Crisis? 4 Things You Can Do to Boost Your Job Prospects

Laid Off During the COVID-19 Crisis? 4 Things You Can Do to Boost Your Job Prospects

As though fears about the COVID-19 virus aren't enough to keep Americans sleepless and stressed, there are also significant concerns about the economy. Businesses are shuttered all over the country, and many have either been laid off or the businesses that they work for are at risk of closing entirely. All one needs to do to get a sense of how the crisis has affected employment is to hear about the latest unemployment numbers: it's an indication of how unprecedented and overwhelming the scope of the situation currently is.

It is important for those who have lost their jobs to remember that no matter how dark things look right now, things will eventually be on the uptick and new opportunities will arise. There will undoubtedly be changes and the economy's growth will take some time, but there's no reason for you to sit around and wait for it. There are things that you can be doing right now, while you are home and concerned about your own future, to put yourself in the best possible position once things open up again. Here are our suggestions for putting your quarantine time to the best possible use:

1. Grow your skill set.

No matter what your professional interest or background, there is nobody who wouldn't benefit from learning something new. This time off is an opportunity to add to your skills, and the internet has made it possible to learn how to do just about anything. Whether you take an online course or tutorial or simply practice with a software program that you've fumbled with before, the more skills you can list on your resume, the more attractive you will be to potential employers. Not sure what skills to pursue? Find a job description of your dream role and read the list of requirements.

2. Polish up your portfolio.

The first thing you're going to need once the economy reopens and you start your job search is a well-crafted resume and cover letter. Sitting down to write one is undoubtedly difficult, as it can be hard to put what you've accomplished into words. But right now is the best possible time to think about all of the things that you'd normally be doing and write them in terms of the skills and knowledge that best highlight why you are such a valuable asset to an organization.

One thing that has proven particularly helpful for job seekers is to create a basic resume and cover letter, then make multiple versions reflecting small adjustments based on different job descriptions that interest you so that you're ready to quickly apply to each job opportunity that presents itself. 

3. Reach out to former friends and colleagues.

Right now, communicating via phone, email and Zoom is one of the few ways that people can interact with those outside of their household, and you'll find that those with whom you've lost touch will be eager to hear from you. Now is a great time to reconnect with your professional and personal network, not only because doing so feels good and makes you feel less isolated, but also because networking has always been the number one way of finding a job. Shore up and extend your network now and it will pay off in vital introductions and connections in the future.

4. Polish up your interviewing skills.

Whether you live alone and are FaceTiming with friends or you're sharing your stay-at-home space with family members, now is a great time to sit down and practice talking up your professional accomplishments. Role playing the interviewing process is one of the best ways to make sure that you're prepared for the real thing, giving you the opportunity to imagine the questions you might be asked and craft excellent answers that make your attractiveness as a job candidate shine.

Losing your job in the midst of a crisis may feel like the straw that broke the camel's back, but with a little planning and motivation you can turn it to your advantage. Use your time wisely and stay focused on making yourself the most attractive job candidate possible, and once people start hiring again you'll have given yourself a headstart.

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Julie Farless

Julie Farless

Martinez & Shanken, PLLC is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) firm based in Gilbert, Arizona. We provide a full range of accounting, bookkeeping, consulting, outsourcing and business services, but we specialize in tax preparation. We work with you to ensure that your personal or business processes are conducted in a manner that ensures ongoing integrity in your financial transactions. We are available to answer your questions and help with your ongoing tax planning and changing business needs.

Deborah Martinez & Earl Shanken
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