Editor’s Note: Monday’s Blog Post raised the question: What will our life look like in the post-Covid-19 world? We are in a period of enforced change – layoffs, furloughs, work-from-home requirements, and some yet-to-be-understood new economic realities and business model shifts. If you’re one of the people facing an unfortunate layoff from your job, it might benefit you to know your rights if you’ve lost your job due to covid. Although it may seem like a situation that holds no promise, there may yet be hope ahead. The best business intelligence resources predict that by late summer to early fall, as the number of people who have received the vaccine reaches 75 percent of the population, we should begin to see some return to normalcy in our professional and personal lives.
Signs of Hope
For those unemployed workers striving to get back to work, there is hope for those who can and will adapt. There are some cautionary notes, especially the concerns regarding the anticipated post-Christmas Covid-19 surge of new cases will have on business. Still, overall, there is a strong sense of hope for economic recovery and new hiring.
Here are three essential issues job seekers must consider:
- Be clear, be concise – Today, businesses are hurting, and they are looking for people who can solve problems. Simply put, executives and managers who can clearly and concisely explain to prospective employers how their skills and experience will add value will be more successful than those who talk only about the history of their experience. Those who master this critical approach will advance. Those who do not will struggle to find a job.
- Be Flexible – In industries where there will be shifts in the business model, executives and managers must show how their experience and skills are transferable to new jobs or industries. Once again, it is up to the applicant to make the case. This change requires research, preparation, and plenty of rehearsal. Be clear; create a robust value-based case. If you confuse, you will lose.
- Embrace Change – Job seekers who embrace change, whether that means relocating to a new community or accepting a new type of work challenge, are more likely to succeed than those who fiercely cling to the false security of “this is the way it has always been.” Just as businesses must now redouble their efforts to remain relevant for their customers, executives and managers must approach their job search with the same mind-set. Do not wait too late to embrace this inevitable change. If you snooze, you lose.
After the 9/11 terror attacks, many things changed. Attitudes and practices shifted dramatically. This time, the changes could end up being more dramatic. Yes, there will be economic pain and suffering long after everyone recovers physically. The secret to a successful career will be based on how you deal with these three essential issues.
We are here to help
- The job market is a challenging, hot mess.
- We understand your frustrations.
- We have a successful record of guiding executives to find their next better job in tough economic times.
- Visit www.johngself.com to schedule a free job search/career management consult.