Six Tips to Stand Out When Looking for a New Job During COVID-19

The recruitment and job-hunting industry has become murky waters during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is more accurate for some sectors than others, but it is up to you to stand out from other candidates. To find a job during this recession, you must take advantage of every strategy and tool available. These are six pieces of advice to help you stand out while looking for a job. 

1. Get Creative With Your Resume

Your resume is one of the things you should concentrate on when trying to find a new job. After all, it will probably be your first contact with a recruiter or future employer. Now is the time to be creative and let your imagination run wild. Updating your resume can include redesigning and rearranging every piece of information. 

You can also make a tailored resume for each job application. It is a long process, but it can give better results because employers will see your interest in the position. If you dare, you can get even more inventive by making resumes in the form of videos or presentations. 

I know it sounds a little over the top, but job hunting has become very competitive, and this resume form has become more common. Don't be afraid to take risks; you will see the rewards. It also depends on the industry. Technical resumes sometimes tend to be more serious, but you can still add some details to make them stand out.  

1. Become a Master of Remote Interviews

With the COVID-19 pandemic, many aspects of our society have turned to the digital world. Technology has allowed us to continue to operate in some form. This is also true for the recruitment process. One thing you should practice if you are looking for a job during the pandemic is remote interviews.

Becoming a master of remote interviews isn't hard. You have to get used to some new strategies. For example, interviews where you can't see a person's face make connecting more challenging. So, instead of agreeing to phone interviews, you should insist on video calls when possible. 

You should also prepare a room with good lighting so the interviewers can see your face through the camera. Even though the interview isn't in person, you should prepare by looking up common questions and practicing answering them beforehand. Lastly, you can send a thank-you letter after the interview to thank them for the opportunity. 

1. Use Keywords

Keywords are your friend. They will help you pass the recruitment software that employers use nowadays and make your resume or profile stand out. Keywords are just common words that help software and different search engines identify what a text is about. 

For example, if you want to find a job in a specific city like Los Angeles, you should include it in your resume and professional profile. You can also identify keywords from the job description you are applying to. Sometimes, employers and recruiters use terms like problem-solving, self-sufficient, and strong communication skills. 

Make sure to add them to your application and tweak your resume to include them, too. As I said, recruiters use software that helps them filter through applications. They always use keywords to try and find the best candidate as fast as possible.  

1. Use Digital Platforms

Our world has turned to digital platforms for many things, including recruitment. So, it would help if you took advantage of all the tools available to increase your chances of finding a job. This includes online platforms like LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and Indeed. You can even use your social media profiles. 

You can use your profile on job boards to make the application process more manageable. And social media profiles will be a medium to reflect who you really are. Many employers and recruiters use social media platforms to screen candidates and learn more about them. So, try to be more mindful of the content you publish from now on. Your profile can land you your next job, but it can also hurt your chances.

1. Update your Skills

Having your resume with updated skills will tell the employer or recruiter a lot about you. It says that you can learn new things, care about learning the latest software in the market, and will adapt to new skills in the future if needed. Something you can do to stand out is to find out what skills are in high demand in your industry and plan how to acquire them. 

With all the resources and tools out there, you can learn something new every day: whatever you want to know, even technical skills. For example, you can learn to code for free. You have to have access to the Internet, and you can find all kinds of free courses on YouTube or in communities that will give you guidance so that you can learn on your own.

But if you like more traditional approaches, you can enroll in a course where you go to a classroom. There are vocational schools, coding boot camps, or trade courses that teach you hundreds of different skills depending on your needs. Coding bootcamps are more centered on technical skills, but some offer soft skills courses. 

1. Build a Personal Brand

Personal branding has become more common since the growth of the Internet and social media platforms. But it basically means building a reputation for yourself. 

You can achieve this by writing articles, creating content related to your expertise, a personal website, and even creating courses or learning material. Creating a personal brand will help you stand out to the point where job opportunities will get to you without you having to spend hours sending applications. 

In Summary

You can stand out by being creative with your resume, becoming a master of remote interviews, using keywords everywhere, using digital platforms, upgrading your skills, and building a personal brand. Even if you follow one of these tips, you will increase your chances as long as you take action.