Grace Davenport, Ad 2 Madison President

This year has changed a lot, including everything work related. Some are working from home, some are back at the office with extra restrictions or adjusted schedules, some have been let go, and others are looking for new opportunities during hiring freezes. I fell into that last category and let me tell you, the pickings are slim. Many companies are reducing staff sizes, eliminating whole departments, closing their doors, and most are not looking to hire anyone new.

I started my job search over the summer and ended up applying to more than 20 positions. Due to so many being out of work, there was an abundance of qualified candidates everywhere I turned, which was great for businesses, but disheartening for me. I used LinkedIn, Indeed, even Facebook to look for open positions and told close confidants to keep their eyes and ears open for me. Overall, nothing was drastically different in how I looked for positions. However, in every application submission, I wanted to know the company’s WFH policy. No way was I going to start a new job and be required to work at the office during a pandemic.

The interview process was different than most of us are used to. I was more nervous for all virtual interviews, even though theoretically I could have gone to these interviews in sweatpants and fuzzy socks and no one would be the wiser. I tested my video/audio countless times before each interview, bought a new router so my internet wouldn’t go out, and kept my dog in the living room so no squeaking or barking could be heard. It was like preparing for your first college exam — some idea of how it would go, but no real expectations set yet.

Looking for a job at any time is stressful, and with the added stressors of the pandemic, this is a whole new beast. To anyone looking for a new job, new opportunity, or changing career paths right now, I have a few tips.

  1. Even if your interview is virtual, dress to impress from head to toe. No one may see your legs and feet during the interview, but you will feel more confident when you are 100% put together.
  2. Ask companies questions regarding the pandemic: about their WFH policy, about any reimbursements for office supplies while WFH, if you do need to go into the office what is required (face mask, gloves, etc.), when are they planning to have the whole office back.
  3. Over-apply. There are many people searching for positions right now, so don’t apply to one and keep your fingers crossed. Widen your pool of applications to keep your options open and hopefully get a signed offer letter sooner.
  4. Always review and edit your resume to highlight any skills for the position you are applying for. Even more so now, throw on skills that show you can work from home, i.e. organization skills, multitasking skills, self-reliant, knowledge of Zoom/Teams/Webex etc. Or talk about these during the interview! If you’d like a free resume review, email your resume to info@ad2madison.com and we will send you back edits and notes to make the most out of your resume!
  5. Stay social. With less in person meetings, companies may rely more on social media sites to get to know the behind the scenes of a candidate. Make sure to be active on LinkedIn and that your Facebook and Instagram posts and photos are professional.