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Applying for a Job during Covid-19 Pandemic

Oct 04 2020

What does the pandemic mean for job seekers?

The job market is still there. If you have been hesitating to apply for jobs now, fearing an unwelcome job market because of Covid-19, take the plunge. Many companies have found that their customers are returning and that revenue is beginning to approximate pre-pandemic levels. However, be sure you want the change and are not reacting to a temporary situation. Robin’s Resumes® has had many folks contact us who want to change jobs but are not focused on what the changes may do to their careers. Be sure not to seek any job just because you do not like your current situation. We offer coaching services to help you find the right situation and then change jobs. We have succeeded in helping several senior- and junior-level folks to identify the right positions to apply for and then create job-winning packages for them during the pandemic.

Virtual interviews are common. Many companies will continue to depend on virtual interviews of job seekers even after the pandemic. If you already have Zoom or another videoconferencing system set up on your office computer, now is the time to check that your background is professional, your sound system is working clearly, and you radiate confidence in front of the camera. If needed, arrange to have your picture removed from the screen, so you are not tempted to look at yourself during conversations with someone else.

Masks are expected. If you have been lax about wearing a mask, you may want to rethink that: 60% of US companies recently surveyed state that masks will be part of their employee dress code. Purchase or sew masks that fit over your mouth and nose and feel comfortable. Check online for hacks to fix masks if they interfere with your glasses or feel too tight. Use the mask when you are applying for a job in person and assume your workplace will require them.

Most companies are prioritizing safety. Ask about workplace policies related to Covid-19. If you have a condition that affects your immunity or otherwise makes you more vulnerable to Covid-19, you are probably already primed to ask questions. But you should find out about company policies in any case so that you do not inadvertently put yourself or your fellow employees in danger.

Political discussions are inappropriate. Whether or not you agree with the way governments and corporations are handling the pandemic, avoid political discussions, especially when you are applying for a job. A survey by the staffing firm Robert Half revealed that only 21% of employees believe it is appropriate to discuss politics at work. For job seekers, discretion is a good idea; you may want to remove political statements from your social media.

Work environments are changing. Be prepared for a different work environment. More than 90% of companies are creating social distance guidelines and reconfiguring workspaces.

If you need guidance in readying yourself and your resume while applying for a job during the Covid-19 pandemic, please contact Robin’s Resumes®.

Resume Q&A: I’m Not Getting Interviews

Jun 24 2018

Q. I think I have a great resume, but clearly employers do not feel the same way. I cannot get an interview. Why would a resume fail over and over again? What can I do?

A. The reasons why a resume fails to gain interviews may be entirely out of your hands. For example, financial difficulties in the industry where you are applying may lead to cutbacks or employment freezes. Changes in industry regulations or qualifications for the position you want may mean that you need a new certification or additional training before you would be considered.

If the problem is a mismatch between your skills and employer expectations, then now is the time for you to brush up on your skills or take additional courses. You should be reading job advertisements and postings carefully to make sure you understand what each company is looking for—and customizing your resume each time to make sure the company understands how qualified you are.

Make sure you have explored every avenue for finding a new job. Simply searching the internet for help wanted is not enough. You need to network in person—attend meetings of professional organizations; talk to former employers and peers who might recommend you for new openings; and become more active in the community, perhaps by volunteering, so that your name and talents are better known.

You might also want to send your resume to a professional resume writer. A truly professional resume writer will interview you and work with you one-on-one to see if there is anything that can be added to or better emphasized in your current resume.

As a certified career coach, I can also offer you suggestions for reframing your resume for careers, positions, or industries you might not have considered. You probably have many transferable skills and achievements that would land you a job on a career path slightly different from your current path.

Please contact me if I can be of further help to prepare your resume for the next great interview.

Q&A: Guidelines for College Graduates

May 06 2018

Q. I am graduating from college and very nervous about the whole process of finding a job. I am an organized person but I know that there are pitfalls and opportunities out there that I might overlook simply because I am so new at this. Do you have any recommendations?

A. Congratulations on graduating and on reaching out for information and guidance. You will find plenty of advice about resumes, interviews, and job searches on my website at Robin’s Resumes®, but here are my top 10 suggestions for recent graduates:

Be careful about the resume recommendations of your career services organization. The resumes they promote are excellent for on-campus career fairs but are less suitable for job hunting in the wide world.
Before you send out your resume, know what type of position you are looking for and research the companies you are applying to. Companies are not in the business of figuring out where you fit into their structure; you have to tell them.
Think in terms of context-challenge-action-result when writing your resume and preparing for interviews. That framework will help you see your accomplishments and communicate why they are important.
Keep a detailed record of your search, including the names and addresses of companies you sent resumes to, the job title and position, and when you sent out your resume. That way, when someone calls, you can immediately refresh your memory about the opportunity.
Consider nonprofit as well as for-profit organizations. Nonprofits also pay salaries.
Practice interviewing. Everyone gets nervous at interviews and you may never have been in an interview situation before. Your resume’s primary goal is to get you to the interview—so be prepared when your resume works.
Be hesitant to give away your work. Have a portfolio on line if that is customary in your field (for example, fashion design or writing) but be leery of any company that wants you to work for free for hours before they decide to hire you.
Ask questions, especially about the job hours and expectations. You do not want to assume you are on the day shift or that the job starts at 9 a.m. or that you will report to the person who is interviewing you.
If you are having trouble finding a job, get a certification, take an internship, or volunteer at a nonprofit. You should keep your skills sharp and open your network to a wider group of people. Take a position outside your field if necessary. Then continue your job search while you work.
Never take a rejection personally. Companies may reject candidates because the job parameters have changed, they can no longer afford a new hire, they found someone in house—the reasons are legion.

My final piece of advice is to sign with a professional resume writer and coach if you have the time. You will never regret it!

Preparing for Your Interview: Six Steps

Mar 25 2018

Research the company. You should have performed some research before sending in your resume, but definitely do it now before the interview. Look at the company website and its social media sites (Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest), concentrating on products and services, the manager that you would likely report to, customers and service area, and any indications of problems you might be able to solve. Your first question to a widget company should never be, “What are widgets?”
Dress appropriately. Unless there is a picture online of all the employees, you cannot predict what style of dress a company prefers. When in doubt, aim for business casual. If you have tattoos or piercings that an interviewer might find objectionable or distracting, cover the tattoos with clothes and remove the piercings temporarily. You can express yourself once you have a better idea of the company culture.
Read your resume. Under the pressure of an interview, you may forget major achievements. At Robin’s Resumes®, we anticipate your need to describe your achievements during an interview by writing a resume that explains context (the situation that demanded action), challenge (what you were asked to do), action (the steps you took), result (the effect on the situation and the company), and why your accomplishment was important (what your action ultimately achieved).
Practice your interview. Practicing before you interview can help. You will know what types of questions to expect and how to answer the questions. If you need help, seek out a coach.
Show professionalism. If you decide early on in the interview process that this job is not for you, politely thank the recruiter or hiring manager for their time and ask them to remove you from consideration. When you complete the interview for a job you would like, again thank the interviewer and follow up with a thank you note. During the interview, avoid bad-mouthing former employers—if a former position did not work out, it simply did not work out.
Revise your game plan. After each interview, review it in your mind and identify any sticking points. Was something on your resume unclear? Did you forget to mention an important achievement? Did the interviewer have a negative comment about your LinkedIn or other social media presence? What can you do to make the next interview go more smoothly?

If your preparations leave your nervous about your interview, resume, or career plan, consider a professional resume writer and career/interview coach. Contact Robin’s Resumes®. We look forward to hearing from you.

How Resumes Prepare You for Interviews

Sep 10 2017

The ultimate purpose of your resume and cover letter are to prompt hiring managers and recruiters to ask you to an interview. But the resume can also help you during the interview.

Many potential employers will look at your resume when framing questions during the interview and will expect you to know the dates and responsibilities of previous positions you have held. So make sure you read your resume once again before you go to the interview and have a comprehensive understanding of your previous work experience.

Interviewing with a potential employer gives you an opportunity to add information that did not fit on the resume and that shows how your career prepared you to work there. Listen closely to what the hiring manager or recruiter asks to find out if you left something off your resume that you should add or if there is information on it that you should clarify.

During an interview, answer the “what is your greatest weakness?” question with a story about how you overcame a weakness. Your resume should focus on achievements; now is the time to explain what you had to overcome on the way, whether it was a misunderstanding with the customer, a poorly designed schedule, or some other roadblock you should have anticipated. What are you doing now to make sure your weakness has been addressed?

When you work with a resume company such as Robin’s Resumes®, they will help you uncover many examples of your accomplishments. Robin’s Resumes® has a comprehensive questionnaire that helps you uncover these accomplishments in a “context-challenge-action-result-why your accomplishment was important?” format that can help you during interviews. When you prepare for the interview, also review your questionnaire. You can use these stories to answer specific questions from the interviewer about your experience.

In addition to knowing your stories, you need a comprehensive understanding of the company you are applying to. In this sense, it is impossible to be over-prepared. Knowing the ins and outs of your potential employer can benefit your responses, as well as fuel potential questions for your interviewer (which you should always ask—this shows interest).

Follow up with your interviewer. When you send a thank-you email post-interview, you show both courtesy and respect. This is also a great opportunity to ask any remaining questions, emphasize your strong interest, and touch back to a specific point of conversation that stood out to you from the interview.

At Robin’s Resumes®, we understand that a job hunt requires many moving parts. Get in touch with us today to start your application off the right way with a great resume.