If you’re currently looking for a job or internship, you may have recently received an email informing you of the internship’s cancellation or the removal of the job position from the company. It may come as no surprise under the COVID-19 outbreak, but there’s nothing to really curtail the disappointment that can bring, especially within the sudden decline in both national and global economies. Regardless, now is not the time to give up because the best thing that can be done is continued proactivity, particularly in online spaces.
If you are looking for professional work, we have composed a collection of strategies you can begin taking advantage of right now. Though it may be tempting to call it quits and wait out the storm, eventually there will be no storm and those who have put in the right efforts will be in advantageous positions. Here are strategies you can utilize to potentially get to that position and hopefully secure a job.
The Jobs to Look For
WRD students pick up an assortment of skills, from comprehending specific genres to experiences with different technological tools. These kinds of skills are often at home in the digital landscape, which is essentially a titanic collection of writing itself. As such, jobs that you may be most suited for—and safe with—are those that can be managed at home.
But it’s not as simple as applying for the positions that allow for this. A job posting made in February may be rescinded now due to unforeseen financial strain on the company’s part, indicating that many of the older listings were conceived of in a different context. Instead, you should look to the latest listings on platforms like Handshake and LinkedIn, as these suggest that the posters are relatively healthy in their finances.
If you’re searching for internships specifically to add to your professional experience, it may be worth your time discovering volunteer-oriented positions. Still prefer an internship? Looking for unpaid opportunities may be more feasible currently. If you’re an undergraduate and do go down this route, DePaul University can provide you financial assistance through the Internship Plus Program, with applications due May 10. For internships with nonprofits, apply for Community- and Project-Based Learning (CPBL) Internship Scholarships due by April 26 and May 25.
Cultivate Your Online Presence & Networks
Developing your online presence doesn’t necessarily mean maintaining a lively social media profile (though that’s always a plus). Rather, you need to be finding your place within the online job searching network and defining your profile. This can mean practicing many things on different platforms, but here are few actions you can start or continue taking:
- Join Online Groups: There’s a plethora of online groups out there dedicated to setting up network and support systems, run by both administrators and average members. From offering advice to sharing job opportunities, being an active member in these hubs can be the difference between being informed and being in the dark.
- Be Active Online!: This is a no brainer, but what does this actually entail? One way to prop up your online presence and attain more visibility is to participate in the content machines of different platforms. Do you have graphic design skills? Take advantage of Twitter and tweet your work, and make sure to search for active threads requesting work so you can make your pitch where it counts. Go onto the LinkedIn forums and write up a post relating a professional experience you may have had. These tools provide the chance to plug-in your work and promote yourself without having to wait for an interview.
- Cater Your Profile: Since there’s little chance that many employers will meet you in person right now, your public profiles are going to be taking their place (minus the video interviews). Employers are generally always looking at your profiles, but now there is extra incentive to maintain them while you’re at home. A good personal website or eportfolio are also indispensable right now, and the earlier you have one finalized, the better.
As always, WRD is here to help and support its students achieve their goals. Check out our portfolio series to help you maximize your professional profile. Follow The WRD Blog and like the WRD Department Facebook page for any news and updates on upcoming scholarship deadlines and relevant jobs for WRD students.
Other General Resources
Freelance Work | “A freelancer’s guide to the coronavirus downturn: jobs, resources and support networks”
Job/Internship Search Reference | “5 ways for recent graduates to job search in the coronavirus economy”