If you’re unemployed or seeking a new position, you may think that it’s pointless to continue your job hunt in the middle of a pandemic. You may think it’s pointless to send out your resume right now, and you may just assume that no one is going to be hiring for the next few months. While the economy has taken a downturn, and it may be more difficult to find a new position during this chaotic and uncertain time, the best thing to do is to continue to send your resume out, continue to apply for new positions, and continue to network the best you can. 

Here are some tips for job seeking during the coronavirus era. 

1. Consider Your Timeline

If you can afford to put the job search on hold, you may want to consider doing so. If you currently have a job, try to think of ways to make it more palatable. Could you speak to your boss to clear up any disagreements you might have with co-workers? Could you better your communication skills to work better with your team? Are there new tools you could try to make work more efficient? These are all things to consider.

If you can’t put your job search on hold, you’ll want to consider searching for a job to be your full-time job. Make sure you are spending enough time browsing the various job boards. Take this time to learn new skills or brush up on the knowledge you already have. Contact a staffing agency for additional help. Get clear about your timeline. Decide when you would like to be in a new position, and write out your goals.

2. Use the Time to Network Online

Strengthen the connections you have with your network online. Interact and engage with content your connections are posting on LinkedIn. Look up networking groups and see if they are having any virtual events you can attend. Find relevant groups on Facebook and LinkedIn to expand your network and become connected with more people in your industry.

3. Use the Time to Sharpen Your Skills

Take a course online. Learn new software and skills. Harvard, MIT, and other universities offer free courses on edX.org. There are affordable courses on Udemy. Even YouTube has a ton of free tutorials you could watch. Sharpen your skills, and learn more in your industry. 

4. Start that Side Hustle

Have you been considering opening your own shop on Etsy where you can sell custom jewelry? Do you have a lot of unwanted items to sell on ebay? Have you always wanted to try freelance writing? Now is a great time to start a side hustle or try doing some contract work while you are job hunting.

5. Brush Up Your Resume

Now is a great time to hire a professional resume writer to help you make your resume the best it can be. Your resume is the first impression potential employers will have of you, and you need to make sure it’s an accurate representation of who you are as an employee. You may also want to get their help with brushing up your online profiles. 

It may be a more difficult time than most to be searching for a job, but many companies are still hiring, even in this uncertain time. The most important thing to remember is not to give up and not to get discouraged. Be persistent, and eventually, you will find the right position for you.