ToSTAND OUT How in a tough job market

DEAR CLASS of 2020: You are graduating into one of the worst economies in history. But this isn’t news to you.

Many of you have already felt the impact, with summer internships and full-time job offers pulled out from under you as the depth and duration of the coronavirus pandemic truly sets in. Your path may not look like your parents’ or your classmates’, and it is likely to look different from what you planned. These tips from career coaches can help you stand out from the other newly minted associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degree holders – not to mention the over 40 million newly unemployed workers.

TIP 1: BEEF UP YOUR LINKEDIN PROFILE

“You don’t have as much face-toface opportunity, so it is important to optimise online visibility,” says Debra Rodenbaugh-Schaub, a career services consultant at the Alumni Association of Kansas State University. The place to do that: LinkedIn.

The professional networking platform is heavily trafficked by recruiters and hiring managers, making it crucial to put your best foot forward.

Amp up your profile with links to websites you have created, articles you have written, or presentations you have given. You can even upload recordings to highlight public-speaking skills.

Look at profiles of people who are leaders in the industry you are targeting to get inspiration for what to highlight and how to present yourself in your own profile.

TIP 2: NETWORK VIRTUALLY

Social distancing hasn’t killed networking. It has just made it virtual.

The usual players – trade organisations, alumni groups, and professional organisations – are all still meeting via webinars and video conferencing.

Moving online can make networking less intimidating for newbies. You can ease into building connections, absorbing information and building the confidence to eventually become a more active participant.

You can, and should, also make meaningful one-on-one connections. Not doing so will put you at a distinct disadvantage since jobs are often filled via an employee referral.

Lisa Kastor, director of career planning at the College of Wooster in Ohio, recommends building a “mentor map” with at least three mentors who can help guide you and make introductions.

“I coach students to identify a person who has at least 10 years of experience, one that knows them well academically, and one who knows them well professionally,” Kastor says. “Start with who [you] know, articulate what [you] want, and always ask for the recommendation of two more people to reach out to.”

TIP 3: TAILOR YOUR RÉSUMÉ

Understand what a company is looking for in a candidate. Then customise your résumé and cover letter to that specific job posting. This is an important step under normal circumstances, but it is critical now as the economic upheaval of the pandemic has increased competition for available jobs.

“Don’t be self-defeating and copy and paste the same thing into 100 job applications. That is not the right approach,” Rodenbaugh-Schaub says.

Avoid simply listing skills or tasks. Instead, give them context. Highlight how your experience and actions delivered measurable outcomes.

Tailoring your résumé also means including keywords or phrases from the job posting since companies use software to sift through the initial barrage of applicants.

TIP 4: CONSIDER ALTERNATIVE CAREER PATHS

“COVID-19 is unlike anything we have seen, so you have to be flexible,” says Glenn Hellenga, director of career and employability resources at Tri-County Technical College in South Carolina.

That might mean working in a short-term contract role in your field or accepting a job that is completely outside of your career path. After all, you have got bills to pay.

Taking a detour doesn’t mean abandoning your goals entirely. Instead, find opportunities to develop the tools you’ll need for your dream job. Pick up freelancing gigs, find volunteer opportunities, and proactively seek out projects wherever you land.

“You can show that you’ve been actively pursuing, enhancing, and honing your skills,” Rodenbaugh-Schaub says. “Employers love that.”