I wrote this book in four months, while I was at home during the 2020 Covid-19 “stay-at-home” timeframe. Some things have changed, and we have no idea when we will return to the “normal” as we knew it. As of this writing, life is starting to return to “normal,” but it does not feel the same.
Many of us were able to work remotely, using our laptop computers and our phones. But for those women who were seeking to get started in their careers or move on in their careers, job hunting has changed.
Job hunting became a challenge, unless you had a job or an internship you loved and your employer loved you. You might have been offered a position last year or over the winter. Take it to get started with your career. If you were thinking about moving on in your career, this may not be the time to begin looking. If you are looking for an advancement or a new career, read on.
Word-of-mouth marketing is increasing in its value. There is a Word-of-Mouth Professional Marketing Association (WOMMA) that began several years ago. In a Zoom video conversation recently, a group of career women I know wondered if networking ever will return to normal. The way to network now is to join webinars where you will meet others on Zoom or Skype calls. You’ll meet new people that way. In fact, the smaller the group, the more chance you will have to meet new people. I met a new woman recently in a Zoom conference call. She worked with a friend of mine, so we had a “connection.” Even if you don’t have a connection, at the end of the call, ask a “new” friend if you could call her or email her. Chances are, you can start a “new” connection.
Email or call everyone you know when you have to job hunt. Accept new people who want to “connect” or “friend” you on LinkedIn or Facebook. Connect with anyone who wants to connect with you on Instagram, Twitter or Parler. You can’t afford to ignore anyone (unless you have no interest whatsoever, or the person wants to “friend” you because you are “pretty”) because you don’t know who they know.
Your skill in looking sharp or sounding intelligent on a phone call or a video interview will be invaluable. Hone your skills practicing a conversation with a parent, sibling, spouse, or partner. Once you are hired, even if it’s remotely, show your value. Resist the urge to surf the internet or send an e-mail to a friend; it’s so easy to do so when you are at home.
If you have to hire a recruiter, hire one. You can be sure the recruiter has a broader network than you have.
This is the time to be sure you have excelled in your studies. Unless you have the right “connection” or have been introduced by a friend, the hiring manager will have no choice but to determine your contribution to the company based on your grades.
It’s a whole new world; everything has changed. As a Chinese fortune cookie reminded me: “Anything you do, do it well. The last thing you want is to be sorry for what you didn’t do.”