Job Hunting In Lockdown

The pandemic has made finding a job even more of a challenge than it usually is. Here are some tips.

- Kim Abrahams

Job hunting can be difficult and stressful at the best of times – and what we find ourselves in right now is certainly not the best of times.

The coronavirus pandemic has brought the economy to its knees and resulted in severe job losses as companies either go under or make massive budget cuts in an effort to survive.

Looking for a job now is more challenging than ever.

If you’re a job seeker wondering whether it’s even worth applying amid the doom and gloom, don’t lose hope, says Simon Royston, managing director at The Recruitment Lab.

“The most important thing is to be patient,” Royston says. “The current lockdown means timelines for job seekers are undetermined. What might have been a fortnight of job searching has turned into six weeks.”

Many companies are also rethinking their work structure and now expect candidates to be equipped to work remotely.

Times are changing, adds Margot van Graan, managing member at MVG Recruitment. And it’s important that your approach to job hunting stays up to date.

Here’s what you need to know about job hunting during a global pandemic.

WHERE TO START

Van Graan says the best approach to job hunting is a combination of your own efforts and working with a recruitment agency.

Agencies source staff based on the job requisitions they receive, but because of the downturn in the economy they have fewer jobs available.