5 Job Search Trends for Landing a Job in 2021
Episode 297 | Author: Emilie Aries
Being on the job hunt is never easy, but that’s especially true 10 months into a global pandemic and the resulting economic collapse that it caused. Today I want to share a few key job search trends that emerged last year and will continue to be a factor for landing a job in 2021.
1
Don’t be Camera-Shy: Virtual Interviews are Here to Stay
Despite our collective zoom fatigue, virtual interviews continue to be common practice - at least for now. I doubt we’ll see any jobseekers flown out to “meet the team” in person in 2021. So for the time being, it’s still on us to tidy our home office backdrops or pop on that virtual background and turn up that Zoom beauty filter, as we prepare to put our best foot forward, digitally.
I recently sat down with Jenny Foss of JobJenny.com to talk all about how to ace your next virtual interview, which will come in handy for all the virtual interviews happening now. If you find yourself on the phone - sans video - these tips for how to master the phone interview will be helpful, too.
But whatever the medium, make sure you give just as much thought to your message when preparing for an upcoming job interview, too.
2
Focus on what you can control
For folks who’ve built their careers in the industries hit hardest by COVID-19 - such as arts & entertainment, recreation, or food service - there will be a continued trend towards transitioning out of those industries for good. Some estimate that economic recovery in the hardest-hit industries could take upwards of 5 years or more, and workers simply cannot hold on that long while waiting for jobs to reappear.
That’s why it’s so important for job-seekers on this path to re-tool and re-package their skills in order to stick their transition into a different industry. If you want even more advice on that front, enroll for my upcoming free masterclass, How to Confidently Communicate Your Transferable Skills in the Job Search.
3
Learn to Love LinkedIn
We humans are social creatures. So being isolated for months can send even the best of us into an existential spiral of loneliness and leave us all feeling a bit socially awkward. As The New York Times put it, “Even the Extroverts Are Rusty.”
While it’s no substitute for the real thing, connecting online is a must - and LinkedIn is where it’s at for those on the job hunt. I sat down for a podcast interview with Justin Nguyen, host of the GetChoGrindUp career podcast, to demystify the many ways to leverage LinkedIn to advance your job search. If you’ve been resisting it, now’s the time to jump in with both feet.
4
Cultivate Patience & Persistence: The Job Hunt is Taking Longer
A survey conducted by Randstad from before the COVID-19 outbreak found that it takes the average job-seeker at least 5 months to land their next position. While the duration can vary drastically from one industry to the next, many career experts estimate that the job hunt in 2021 will take longer: likely between 6 and 12 months.
So what’s the lesson here? Don’t let a drawn-out job search make you doubt yourself, boss! Keep your eye on the prize and do what you must to keep your confidence throughout a long job search.
5
Reach Out & Ask For Help
When COVID first hit, I called on my friends in the career development space to join me on a variety of panels like this one about job-searching amid uncertainty, and we agreed: reaching out and asking for help was absolutely essential during such unprecedented times. That remains true today. There are millions of job-seekers in need of support - and many hundreds of millions more who will completely sympathize with you and your situation and want to support you.
The very first step is having the courage to reach out and make a clear ask. Maybe you’ll want to ask for an informational interview, for advice on how to format your resume, or where to keep up with job listings in your industry.
Whatever support you ask for, don’t apologize for it. Instead, thank them in a meaningful way, and be sure to keep them posted on your progress as your job search continues.
I know the job search process can be isolating and confusing, but keep the faith. You will find your next job. It’s simply a matter of time and effort. Until then, ask for the support you need to persevere on the path to landing the next best career opportunity for you.
If you’re looking for even more strategic support and community accountability to accelerate your job search, check out HIRED, our job search accelerator, to see if it’s right for you. Want to talk through your options, schedule a free consultation call with a member of our team now.
Next week, I’ll continue our Get Yo’ Sh*t Together series with a post with 3 Ways to be More Outspoken - so stay tuned and be sure to sign up for our email list below to stay in the know!
Got a career conundrum you want Emilie to cover on the podcast? Call and leave us a voicemail NOW at 910-668-BOSS(2677).
