7 Tips for Finding a Job in a Recession

the the vast majority of Americans who lost jobs in the coronavirus recession expect to have them returned within 6 months. But as the crisis continues, a lot They learn that their old jobs are not coming back and start looking for something new.

A recession can be a scary time to start looking for a job. But here are 7 tips to help you find a good job, even in the toughest job market.

1. Create a computer-proof resume

There is a strong chance that your CV will be scanned by a computer. So avoid fancy formatting, columns, and tables, and make sure your resume is readable by a bot. You can find more resume writing tips and templates here.

2. List the right job skills

Think carefully about the soft skills and hard skills you bring to the job. As a useful exercise, you may want to list them all and explain why they are important. If you worked in a restaurant before COVID-19, you might think your skill was food preparation. But your job skills likely also include face-to-face communication, customer service, problem-solving, time management, and teamwork.

List your job skills clearly on your resume, using the same language used in the job advertisements for which you are applying, where appropriate. A strong match between the skills on your resume and the skills in the job description will help you rise to the top of computer ranking algorithms. And the ability to specify and explain what exactly you bring to the job will help you pass the interview later. You can find more information about required job skills here.

3. Completely fill out your job seeker profile

Create a job seeker account on ZipRecruiter and be thorough when filling out your profile. ZipRecruiter research indicates that you are more likely to receive a callback if you fill out your profile completely and identify discrepancies between your resume and profile. For example, if you list two or more examples of past work experiences rather than just one, you are more likely to be rated favorably by employers. Small improvements can go a long way.

Start your ZipRecruiter profile today

4. Be among the first to apply

Sign up for ZipRecruiter email alerts that tell you when a job is posted that matches your skills and location, and quickly apply when you see a job you like. Or, if you’re browsing job postings on ZipRecruiter.com, limit your search to jobs posted in the last 1 day, 5 days, or 10 days.

Applying soon after a vacancy is announced is especially important during a recession, when employers typically receive more applications than they can read. “Job applications are 50% more likely to be read by an employer within the first seven days,” says ZipRecruiter CEO, ZipRecruiter. Ian Siegel.

5. Develop the required skills

If you have been furloughed or laid off, you may finally have some time to invest in developing your skills. The cost of doing so is lower than ever. That’s because many online learning platforms have made it free during the pandemic to enroll in certain online courses and earn certain certificates. And the positive thing about doing so is greater than ever.

When employers receive 100 applications for a single job, objective criteria — such as certifications and credentials — can help them make a decision. Especially now that in-person recruiting efforts are limited by the pandemic, employers are having to rate you on paper. Being able to list a recently obtained Microsoft Excel certification is much more compelling than simply listing, say, “Excel skills”. The same goes for any software or platform.

6. Focus on developing industries

No one knows exactly what the future holds, but the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projections have a proven track record of success. For example, the Bureau’s 2008-2018 forecast correctly predicted which industries would grow and which would contract. 91 percent of time.

Here are the latest BLS forecasts for the period 2018-2028:

7. Be positive

Don’t give up. If you don’t succeed at first, try a different method. Come up with a daily goal – for example, a target number of job applications to submit – and reward yourself for achieving your goal. Here are some tips to help you stay motivated. Here are some other things to help you avoid job search fatigue.

Our favorite tip is to try a new search strategy every few days. Doing so can help keep things interesting and broaden your search. Here are some strategies to consider:

• Find the most needy employers. Using keyword research, find job postings where the employer reports an “urgent need” for candidates. Employers who need to fill vacancies urgently are more likely to respond quickly and agree to an immediate start date.

• Find the best companies. Look for job postings where the recruiter describes itself as one of the “fastest growing” or “top rated” organizations in their field.

• Search for family names. Spend a few days exploring job vacancies at large, household-name companies that are always hiring across a wide range of roles.

• Look for well-funded startups. Search keywords like “VC-backed,” “VC-backed,” or “Y Combinator-backed” to find innovative and exciting companies that investors think could be the next big thing.

• Find terms related to your passions and hobbies. Do you like animals? Is music your hobby? Are you passionate about preserving nature? Do you like listening to podcasts? A bout of unemployment can be an opportunity to turn your passion into your career.

Remember, the job market in the United States is incredibly dynamic. US companies reported that even in April, it was the worst month for the COVID-19 crisis 5 million jobs and hired 4 million people. With a solid resume, job seeker profile, skill set, and search strategy—and with a little persistence and perseverance—you can improve your chances of finding good jobs and getting solid offers.