How You Can Help Your Career This Month
Although I know there are ways that COVID-19 will change some things for the long term, I'm certain this will pass and we will all stop worrying so much about loved ones, health, money, and all the other little things that seem to have become very big things lately.
If you have just graduated college, are approaching graduation, or are currently unemployed, there are things YOU CAN DO now to help your employability once things settle down. Below is the advice I shared with my recent graduating class at the University of Oregon. Hopefully it will help you in the days and weeks ahead.
1) Make sure your LinkedIn profile is incredible. See my blog articles for advice: ‘What Makes Someone Stop and Actually Review Your LinkedIn Profile?’, ‘How to Optimize Your LinkedIn So Recruiters Find You,’ and ‘5 Things You Must Do Online.’
2) Build a portfolio that will knock employer’s socks off when you take it to an interview. See my book for a step-by-step guide to the perfect portfolio.
3) Network. Now is a unique time to network because senior people who normally have no time, likely have extra time. Be very polite, professional, and empathetic about what you write, but if there is someone you are keen to network with, try sending them a note on LinkedIn and see if they’d be willing to spare 5 mins over the phone to answer a few of your questions. It’s a start. You can build from there.
4) Continue to hone your skills. There are tons of really great online courses available on Udemy.com for $10. It’s a great time to fill a skillset gap and feel productive.
5) Offer to develop someone else’s skills virtually. If you have a skillset that would benefit others, now is the perfect time to share your talents. I’ve seen so much inspirational content come out the past few weeks on social media. If you can positively contribute to this, consider doing it.
We will get through this - just don’t give up on your career goals in the meantime. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me if I can help you.