It is a very tough time to be looking for a job. Many companies are laying off employees and downsizing offices. Nobody knows how this pandemic will play out in the future, so many things are on pause.It can be discouraging when the job market stops due to uncontrollable circumstances, but take heart! You can still stay pro-active in your job search. Here are 3 top ways to remain proactive when the job market stops.

Research Your Options

Whether you are newly unemployed due to layoff or have been in the job search game for a while, everyone has options at this time to remain financially stable. The government has passed a few bills to give relief to those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and many companies are also willing to help. To keep your head above water, start with your reoccurring bills. Mortgages, Car Payments, Credit Cards, even some utility companies are offering to defer payments until the job market has stabilized. Call to see which bills you can defer without penalty to lighten your financial load.

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) offers paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave starting April 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020. If you feel you might be a candidate under this act and would like more information, the link above provides details on paid leave and employee eligibility as well as qualifying reasons for leave.

Keep An Active Network

One of the best things you can do as an active candidate during a slow job market is to stay active within your network. Ask around to friends, family, previous co-workers, bosses and your social networks to see if they may have any leads. Continue to check in with your staffing agencies and companies you have applied for positions. Be patient and don’t get discouraged. Keep in mind that many people are either shut down or working hard to stay afloat right now. It is not personal if they do not respond.

Eventually businesses will open back up, people will head back into work and they are going to need to fill jobs that were discontinued during the pandemic. Staying active with your job network will ensure that you are at the top of their minds when it’s time to interview again.

Stay Prepared

Many jobs have been placed on pause, but people are still hiring for essential jobs. If you are seeking employment in one of these areas of work then an interview is a very realistic thing to consider. You need to be sure you are staying prepared. Interviews may be structured differently to avoid face-to-face contact, so likely they will be over the phone or virtual interviews. Use this time to make sure you are comfortable with multiple video platforms, have your research for each company you are seeking employment and practice interview questions so you sound confident over the phone. Just because you are not interviewing in person, does not mean that you will not have opportunities. You want to be sure you are fully prepared when the time comes.

The COVID-19 pandemic has put a lot of us in uncharted territory when it comes to obtaining and maintaining jobs. Managers are just as stressed as candidates trying to navigate this process effectively. Keep this in mind, but do not allow yourself to get discouraged. There are opportunities out there, you just need to be patient and stay pro-active.