Searching for a new job during lockdown? Here’s what you need to know

Looking for a job in the current climate is hard. Apart from delivery services and health-care providers, not many employers are hiring in the middle of this pandemic. In the US, 22 million people are now out of work. Elsewhere, Australia and the UK are bracing for 10 per cent unemployment, Spain and Italy are expecting sharp rises in layoffs and in Japan, the number of available positions has dropped to the lowest level in three years.

But it's not all doom and gloom. "Once the economy starts to reopen, many firms who have laid-off workers during the lockdown will need new staff and this will create opportunities," says Thomas Sampson, professor at the London School of Economics. Employers will be redesigning and rethinking their workforce, and creative and digital roles will be more important than ever.

So, with lockdowns in place in many countries across the globe why not use the time to be strategic? Whether you’ve lost your job, you’re looking for a new one or your career hasn’t yet started—here’s how you can get ahead.

How to network in isolation

Whether researching your dream future employer, making new e-introductions or checking in with old contacts, start reaching out to people. “I’ve been talking to a lot of designers and everyone is questioning how we go forward,” says fashion-industry expert Julie Gilhart, who was instrumental in the launch of both Amazon Fashion and the LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers, and helps cultivate responsibly minded businesses through her consultancy, Tomorrow. “Our world has changed, but technology has been really great at connecting us,” Gilhart tells Vogue. Talk to friends and people in your industry and read everything that’s going on, she encourages: “This is not a solo adventure—you need support around you.”

Astrid de Montessus, a senior consultant for the leading fashion headhunter Floriane de Saint Pierre & Associés, thinks this is an ideal time to cultivate your network. “If you have extra time, this could be a great opportunity to build skills by taking online courses and building a social-media following. Push yourself to think creatively to identify the brands that embrace your values and let them know," she advises.

When sending emails or intro messages, make sure you have a clear purpose in mind. Vicky Creevey, e-commerce and marketing manager at the University of the Arts London, says: “Think about the format. Start by explaining why you’re getting in touch and if you don’t get a response to your first email, follow up a few days later.”

Refine your digital footprint

Google yourself and see what comes up—does your online presence reflect what you’d want prospective employers to see? If not, now is the time to sort it. Make personal social-media profiles private and close any old accounts you don't need. “Review your CV, update your LinkedIn and close skill gaps,” advises de Montessus.

How secure is your job?

Many young freelancers and zero-hour contractors weren’t working during the last recession and were not aware of how quickly the rug can be pulled from underneath them. “We’re going to see a change and demand for more secure job relationships,” says Dr Christopher Rauh, a labour economist at the University of Cambridge.

Ask yourself how important job security is to you and what roles are better for this. It can also depend on where you live. Job losses seem to be higher in the US because it’s easier to lay people off, but Dr Rauh says they may see a somewhat quicker recovery, unlike in Europe where there’s more stringent job protection. “If you can work from home, you’re [in a] much safer [position],” he says. “IT skills will be in more demand.”

Jamie Schein, assistant dean of the career management centre at Stanford Graduate School of Business, suggests revisiting your target company list—some may no longer be hiring or may have paused hiring. Other companies not previously on your radar may have a new focus or new opportunities that make them attractive. For example, word on the street is that in the art world collectors in parts of Asia are still spending. Julia Henderson, director of DRAW and recruiter of art jobs in London, Berlin, Paris and east Asia, says try looking for work in other industries. “There are always transferable skills,” she says.

Think holistically about your future

Many employers are going to have to rethink their workforce, strategy and even purpose, and will need fresh talent to do this. Kerin Borland, director of the University of Michigan Career Center, says applicants need to be creative at this time. “This may mean taking two part-time jobs, considering positions in different sectors to get some professional experience, taking a job that is paid that may not have career potential or volunteering in an area that may have the potential to open doors.”

Learning to code is another option. All you need is a laptop, a web connection and you’re away. CodingNomads offered boot camps in global locations such as Bali but has now moved to e-learning. “Before the crisis, there were already tens of thousands of coding jobs, but not enough skilled professionals to fill them. Now that everything has gone remote, even companies that had nothing to do with tech are looking to build systems online to stay in business,” says co-founder Kim Desmond.

However long lockdown lasts, try not to get discouraged. “See it as an opportunity to reshape your future,” says Gilhart.

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