Tips for Grads: Searching for a job during COVID-19
Career Development
By Lydia Gandy-Fastovich, PhD Student
Things likely look a lot different than you imagined right now, and the uncertainty of landing a job after graduation might be heavy on your mind. You are not alone. With the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic many people are concerned about their career planning. In Beyond the Professoriate’s (BtP) Career Conference last month, CEO of BtP, L. Maren Wood, PhD, gave relevant and timely advice about how to handle your job search during COVID-19.
Career Planning
- Move to Plan B. You might need to pivot your career plans, which could mean you are working with “Plan B” career goals rather than “Plan A.” But that does not mean you can’t prepare for your dream role by being ready to move when the market is open.
- Build transferable skills. Think about the skills needed for your dream job and create a plan for how you can develop those skills at workspaces that are hiring now.
- Take the path of least resistance. On average, people change jobs every 3-5 years. If you’re looking for your first job, remember it won’t be your last. Don’t be afraid of entry-level or contract work. Remember you are “over credentialed, not overqualified” with your degree.
- Maintain momentum. Identify action steps you can take to continue your job search, including plans to avoid feeling overwhelmed and utilizing online search strategies.
Networking
- Connect to multiple sectors. Plan now and get connected to a broad range of sectors so that you are plugged into multiple job markets.
- People hire people. Tell a compelling story and be prepared to sell yourself with this story while networking, on LinkedIn, and in interviews.
This edition of Tips for Grads was adapted from the Beyond the Professoriate Career Conference. Session recordings from the conference are available to UW–Madison students through Aurora until June 16. Sign in to Aurora to access the conference replay.
