Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 10 million Americans have lost their jobs. Losing your regular source of income can be upsetting, discouraging and even frightening. However, that doesn’t mean you should give up hope. It’s never too late to turn your life around and find a career that you’re passionate about. Here are our top tips for finding a new job while unemployed.
Use a Job Search Site
Thanks to the internet, accessing jobs and sending in applications is easier than ever. Unfortunately, the internet can also be overwhelming. If you visit Google and type in “available jobs,” you’ll get far too many results to sort through. That’s why you should use a website specifically designed for job searching.
Job search sites let you customize your results by location, field and experience. For instance, if you didn’t go to college, you can eliminate jobs with higher education requirements. Some top job search sites include:
These resources are all free to use and can connect you to tons of jobs in your area.
Network
Did you know that 88% of employers value referrals when hiring new employees? If you forge a connection with a hiring manager beforehand, you can increase your chances of landing a job. To form connections, you’re going to have to pull out your networking skills. Here are some things you can try:
- Let friends and family know you’re looking for a job
- Connect with potential employers on social media
- Attend career fairs in your area
- Make a business card to hand out at networking events
The bigger your network, the easier it is to get connected to jobs you’re interested in.
Work on Your Resume
Nearly 40% of hiring managers spend less than a minute reviewing a resume. If you don’t want your resume to end up in the rejection pile, then you’ll need to do everything in your power to make it stand out. Here are some tips for improving your resume:
- Use keywords that are relevant to your field
- Make sure the formatting is easy to read
- Use statistics to demonstrate your achievements
- Proofread and ensure there are no mistakes
If you’re uncertain about your resume, resources are available online (such Resume Worded) that can evaluate your document and give you advice.
Contact a Temp Agency
When searching for a new job, you might not find one that’s in your field or meets your salary expectations. That doesn’t mean you should give up on looking for your dream job — however, in the meantime, it might be a good idea to find a temporary job to help pay the bills and give you something to do.
A temporary employment agency, or a temp agency, connects businesses and professionals directly to unemployed individuals. Some temp agencies will submit your resume for you, while others will send you a list of jobs to apply to. You can search for temp agencies that cater to your location online.
Develop a New Skill
While losing your job can be disheartening, it allows you to learn something new. Perhaps you’ve wanted to study a new language, or maybe you’re interested in woodworking. Now’s your chance to try it out.
Learning new things also gives you more skills to include on your resume, which can help you find a new job. If you’re unsure what interest to pursue, consider learning something relevant to your field (for instance, if you work in customer service, it could be helpful to practice a language). The more skills you develop, the more you’ll stand out to hiring managers!