Job loss has been rife this year. The coronavirus and Covid-19 pandemic has seen businesses collapsing and surviving businesses having to make large scale redundancies in order to keep afloat. So, if you’ve lost your job in 2020, you’re not alone. Of course, with mass job loss comes extreme competition when it comes to applying to job vacancies and positions that are available, so you’re really going to have to bring your A game when it comes to applying for new positions. Here are some things to keep in mind when applying for these new roles!
Gaining Qualifications
If you’re looking at advancing into a field or a role that you’re not currently qualified for, it’s essential that you gain those qualifications before applying to the positions. This may mean a return to higher education, but it is likely to prove more than worth it. In fact, many people find a return to education highly enjoyable! Right now, of course, the best means of studying is likely to be from home, so take a look at courses offered by institutions like Suffolk Online. Check that the course covers all of the areas you need and will give you the right qualification for your CV at the end.
Practicing Your Interview Skills
Chances are you’re going to have to have more than one interview when you apply for a job nowadays. The remote recruitment process often means that you can’t meet potential employers face to face, meaning that they may want to do extra interviews to get to know you properly. So, you need to be prepared for these interviews as best possible. It’s a great idea to practice your interview skills in the lead up to interviews. First and foremost, make sure you know a bit about the company. Read their website. See what they do. See who they are catering to. Figure out why you’d like to work for them and what you think you could bring to the table for them. Next, make sure you are fluent in your education and experience. Be prepared to talk about yourself a little – your education, your qualifications, your career progression, how you ended up where you are now and where you’d like to head in the future. Also have answers to all of the commonly asked interview questions. This can include things like examples of when you overcome workplace challenges, how you’d deal with workplace conflict, where you see yourself in five years and more.
Knowing What Makes You Unique
Sure, preparing is good. But you don’t want cookie cutter answers to all of your interview questions. You don’t want to come across the same as every other candidate. Now, more than ever, you need to stand out from the crowd. So, know what makes you unique and what makes you the best applicant possible. Have confidence in yourself. Prove yourself.
These are just a few suggestions that could help you to land the job you’re applying for. Don’t be disheartened if you don’t land the first position you apply for. Competition is fierce and persistence is key right now!
