I Lost My Job Because of Coronavirus. What’s Next?

I Lost My Job Because of Coronavirus. What’s Next?

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Don't take the loss personally

With record-high layoffs and unemployment due to this pandemic, it’s important for you to know that your job termination wasn't personal and is not a reflection of you or your professional worth. Try not to let this one experience make you doubt your skills and the value you're going to bring to another employer. Ask yourself — what did my last employer like about me? What skills did I learn during that employment? Now, as you look for your next job, you can highlight those things.  

Make a plan and be prepared

You might be wondering if you should continue to send out resumes or just assume that no one is hiring for the foreseeable future. Whilst it’s true that economists are predicting a recession, career experts say it’s best to keep networking and applying, provided you change your approach a bit to acknowledge these are uncertain times.

If you are coming from a field that has been directly impacted, like restaurant and hospitality industries, you may need some advice on other employment or career options. Remember that most people are understanding during this time, so even if you pursue employment outside of your career path, it’s ok to take a little curve because a lot of people are having to do just that.

Whether you had been happily employed at the same job for several years, or worked with different employers or different projects, do yourself a favour and ensure your resume is up-to-date and professionally written — you’ll be happier and more confident with your job applications when you do.

While we’re all social distancing, virtual interviewing will be our new normal, so be prepared. Dress appropriately, as though you’re heading into the company’s office, control your environment and find a place that’s quiet, clutter-free and well-lit. Stay ahead of the curve by downloading video platforms like Zoom to ensure your interview goes over smoothly.

Be resourceful and continue networking

You want to find as many job-search resources as you can. Use multiple resources and look at your skill set, experience, and other relevant information to help you decide which resources make sense for your situation. 

Even though you’re not able to go to meetings or events in person, you can still network. Call up people who are in your industry or the industry you are interested in pursuing at this point. Companies may not have published their vacant positions to minimise the number of candidates to deal with, so it might be useful to still contact them and ask “Is your company hiring right now?” Reach out to your friends and family who may have connections to a company or industry that you are interested in, as well. 

Be patient, persistent, and flexible.

Recognise that the hiring process is going to look a little different due to some companies’ sudden shift to interviewing through video or over the phone. Now they have to change their hiring process and ultimately their on-boarding process when they do decide to extend a job offer. So assume there will be challenges along the way — and don't assume the worst if they take a while to get back to you. 

What’s next? ‍

Talk to us! We care about your success and have many years of experience in career counselling, coaching and professional resume writing.

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