C&M Recruitment’s Barbara Kolosinska says it’s now all too clear that the widespread effects of the coronavirus will be more severe than we could have imagined. Many will lose their jobs through no fault of their own. But we know from previous crises that things will improve, so here’s how to prepare yourself for finding a job as quickly as possible post-corona.
Develop your skills
If you’ve just lost your job and are now forced to remain in the house as much as possible, perhaps the only positive from this is that you now have time. Time to read and rest, but also time to develop your skills and improve your CV. Consider completing an online training course as these can be invaluable when applying for certain travel jobs. Alternatively, if you already have knowledge of a GDS, why not look at improving your skillset by cross-training on another system? This could prove to be highly desirable to future employers.
Learn a new language
All this time can also be used constructively by learning another language. If you’ve always wanted to learn Spanish, there really is no better time to do it than now. Many of us regret messing about and not concentrating enough in French or German lessons at school, so this is the perfect opportunity to put that right.
Stay active
For almost all of us, spending a prolonged period of time inside the house will be a new experience, so it is vitally important that we remain active. We may not have the freedom we once had, but we can still go for walks (as long as we keep our distance from others) and if we’re lucky enough to have a garden or other outdoor space then we should ensure we make full use of it over the coming months. Indoor exercise or DIY could be good options for many, while it’s also important to stay mentally fit, so try to read, write and complete games and quizzes on a regular basis. Ultimately, if we remain active then we will remain positive – and that’s going to be crucial over the coming months.
Volunteer
Yes, your volunteering options are somewhat limited if we’re being told to stay inside as much as possible, but you can still provide help to those around you. Maybe check in on elderly or disabled neighbours (while keeping your distance) to make sure they’re ok. They might need help with their food shop or they may just want some company for a little while.
Not only will this be of huge help to those who need it, but it will also show potential employers that you spent your time in isolation in a thoughtful and productive way.
Become a LinkedIn whizz
LinkedIn is a great way to keep yourself in people’s minds while you’re looking for a new role, so connect with managers and business owners, join relevant group pages and engage in conversations about your sector or work experiences. You never know what these exchanges will lead to once things return to normal.
Also, work on your LinkedIn profile by ensuring all fields are completed and your career history is fully up to date. Keep your profile brief and engaging, and make sure you use lots of key words relevant to the types of role you are interested in – this will give you the best chance of being spotted by a recruiter or hiring manager.
And while you’re thinking about your online presence, consider tidying up your other accounts too. Recruiters now regularly look at a candidate’s social media profiles before inviting them for interview, so make sure there’s nothing on yours that you would be embarrassed about.
Update your CV
Now you’ve got all of these new skills and qualities, it’s time to update your CV. Start with a brief personal statement lasting a paragraph or two which details your strengths, attributes and achievements. Then list each role you’ve held in chronological order starting with the latest – break your duties and successes down into bullet points to make it easy to read.
Next, summarise your education details – specifically any degrees or A-levels that you may have. Finally, include a paragraph about your personal interests and hobbies. If you’ve ever had any sporting achievements or have coached a group then definitely include this here, as this can sometimes be the difference that makes a recruiter put you forward for a role.
Once this is all completed, get in contact with a specialist travel recruiter and speak to them about which roles are available and what you may be best suited to.