“Look for past or upcoming conferences, and which of the thought leaders or influencers in your space are regularly asked to speak,” said Sarah Doughty, director of recruitment for TalentLab, an IT recruitment company. “If possible, follow them on social media or read their blogs to find out what those at the top of the field are concerned about.”
Live conferences might be off the table for now, but companies and industry groups are still holding virtual events. Adobe, Microsoft and IBM are just a few of the companies that moved their 2020 conferences online.
You can also seek out podcasts about the industry you want to be in, and listen to interviews with thought leaders in the field.
“Top insiders often hear about trends and disruptive changes earlier, and you might be able to use this intel to catch the newest trendy role or hit an interview answer out of the ballpark,” Doughty said.
Talk With Ex-Employees
Reach out to people on LinkedIn who are in your network and have worked at your dream company. They’ll be able to give you invaluable insights that you wouldn’t learn elsewhere.
“No one will give you a more honest review of the company’s culture than a past employee,” Doughty said.
They also might be able to connect you to people who currently work there and might be in a position to pass your resume along.
Get Organized
Come up with a checklist of all the things you need to do to prepare for your job search, and set target dates for achieving each one. This will ensure you’re ready to go when it’s time to apply.
Style Your Video Interview
Many companies are interviewing remotely because of COVID-19. The upside of that is interviewing on your home turf. The challenge is getting yourself and your workspace ready for prime time.
Position your computer in a brightly lit area of your home where the interviewer will see a neat, uncluttered background. Checking your technology well in advance of the interview will give you time to iron out any glitches.
On interview day, dress the part — top and bottom, to be safe. Also, turn off your phone, and remove any other distractions from your work area.
Please note: This post originally appeared on GOBankingRates.