Getting hired during the pandemic is definitely not an easy task. I applied to countless stores and for weeks heard nothing. But during my search, I learned a few things that helped me finally land a job.
First, to save yourself some time, make sure that the company you want to apply to actually has positions open. Many companies have an application site that stays open whether there is a position available or not. I wasted so much of my time applying to places that weren’t even hiring. So try sending a quick email confirming the slot with the company.
Next, update your resume and customize it to each place you apply at. A great way to do this is to add a quick goals section at the top where you can relate your skills to how you can benefit the company. This way, you seem personally invested in each job without changing your entire resume.
Finally, apply anywhere and everywhere that’s hiring. There are so many websites that post current job listings and will even send you notifications when new positions become available. Highly popular job listing websites include: indeed, Glassdoor and LinkedIn. Facebook is also a useful tool for finding listings for job opportunities in smaller, more local businesses. So keep applying and be patient. Something will come up. And someone will want to hire you.
In my experience, I had to go in for a group interview, which I had never done before… let alone in a pandemic. My best piece of advice is to relax and just be yourself. Yes, I know that sounds cliché, but it’s true. It’s becoming increasingly popular to hire fun, sociable people. So it’s important to be confident in in-person and online interviews.
If you are looking for a job, now is the time to apply. Many companies are going to be hiring their seasonal staff in the upcoming weeks. So just be patient and persistent. I will be joining the search once again for an internship for the spring semester. We are all in this together.
P.S., once you get hired, be prepared to be surprised by your coworkers’ noses. I know this sounds silly, but at some point, you will see them without a mask on (like while they are eating or more than six feet away). The nose really ties a person’s face together and it’s definitely an experience to see someone’s nose after a month of seeing them with a mask on at all times.