Once you’ve zeroed in on the type of job you want — that currently has open positions — do some research to find the leaders in that field.
“Research the top 20 or 30 companies in the field and then research who their director and VP-level managers are — then research their social media,” said Joe Mullings, founder of The Mullings Group, a medtech talent acquisition firm. “The objective is to begin to establish a rapport by following them on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.”
With everyone working from home, these leaders might be more active on social media than usual.
“Your strategy is to become a member of the inner circle of their social media tribe,” Mullings said. “You start by liking something they say or that they like. Next, you’re adding an occasional clever comment and eventually — because by this time you’ve already researched who they are and the company they work for — you’re on a first-name basis discussing the ins and outs of their industry. This is a tried-and-true technique in career development. The only difference is that these extraordinary times allow for the process to be greatly accelerated.”
Practice Doing Video Interviews
If you land a job interview, it will likely be done by video. This is likely a new skill for you, so it may require some practice.
“Practice how to answer questions that you normally receive during an interview using video,” Stizza said. “Get familiar with how you appear on camera and how you sound. If you don’t practice, it will throw you off your game when the opportunity comes along. Remember, from the very first time they see you and ask the first question, the interview has started — be ready, comfortable and smile.”
If You've Been Laid Off, Don't Lead With That as the Reason You're Applying To the Job
You might be applying to new positions because you lost your job, but your negative circumstance shouldn’t be the focus when a recruiter asks you why you are applying.
“To potential hiring partners, it makes you look like you wouldn’t normally be interested in pursuing a role with them,” Roccia said. “Think about which line sounds better: ‘I’d like to take you on a date because my last girlfriend dumped me,’ or ‘I’d like to take you on a date because you’re charming and funny.’ That’s the difference between telling a company you want to work for them because you got laid off and telling them you want to work for them because you’re excited about the opportunity.”
Don't Get Greedy When It Comes to Salary Negotiations
Even companies that are actively hiring are likely on a tight budget, so it’s important to be realistic when it comes to salary negotiations.
“Candidates attempting to aggressively negotiate or use this crisis to job jump for financial gain only will likely find that employers’ patience will be very thin, and they will ultimately end up burning a bridge,” Doughty said. “Address your compensation needs — not wants — early in the process and accept the offer if it’s within the range you have given. Every company in the world is carefully watching their bottom line right now, and that will mean less flexibility to offer candidates above-market (pay).”
Be Prepared for a Delay in Correspondence
Recruiters might not get back to you right away in the current hiring climate, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep actively applying to jobs.
“Continue to submit to jobs regardless of the timeline for returned correspondence,” Warzel said. “People will need to go to work once this outbreak is done, and you want to ensure you’re already engaged with the recruiter and ready to interview when you and they are ready. Submit your credentials into your targeted company’s job portal too — that way you are now in their applicant tracking system and ready for the internal recruiter’s review.”
Be Prepared for a Delay in Correspondence
Recruiters might not get back to you right away in the current hiring climate, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep actively applying to jobs.
“Continue to submit to jobs regardless of the timeline for returned correspondence,” Warzel said. “People will need to go to work once this outbreak is done, and you want to ensure you’re already engaged with the recruiter and ready to interview when you and they are ready. Submit your credentials into your targeted company’s job portal too — that way you are now in their applicant tracking system and ready for the internal recruiter’s review.”
Please note: This post originally appeared on GOBankingRates.