The Coronavirus crisis has wreaked havoc for employers and employees, but there is no doubt that there are silver linings. Over the past few months, many people have enjoyed the opportunity to spend more time at home, and they may have had time to reconsider what they want to do in the future. For some, the situation may have inspired a change of direction.

Recently, new heroes have dominated the headlines, and many of us have reassessed what really matters. If you’re thinking about a change of direction, here are some steps to help you get the job you want. 

Research qualifications

The pandemic has shone a spotlight on essential roles and individuals who have pulled together to save lives and keep the country running at what has been an extremely challenging time.

For many, watching the news bulletins and going out into the street to clap and cheer for key workers has triggered a desire to want to help out and do more.

If you’re thinking about joining the emergency services or you want to train to work in the healthcare sector, for example, it’s useful to research qualifications and find out what kinds of certificates or training you need to secure a job.

The beauty of studying now is that you can work and learn simultaneously via programmes like an online social work degree. If you want to continue working while you retrain or explore other options, you can do this by applying for an online course.

Before you submit any applications, make sure you look at different options, research different courses to ensure you’re gaining the right qualifications and ensure you understand what the programme entails. 

Look for opportunities to gain experience

It’s virtually impossible to gain an insight into what a job involves without spending any time actually undertaking tasks and getting to know the setting or environment.

Gaining experience is incredibly valuable, not solely for enhancing your CV, but also for giving you an opportunity to see what the role is really like. You might find that you have an idea, which turns out to be totally inaccurate when you start work. Look for opportunities to get more experience.

Search for internships or entry-level posts, ask about work placements and shadowing or contact employers and ask if you can spend a day or week at the company or organisation to see how it works.

If you’re taking on a completely different path, and you don’t have any relevant experience or qualifications, you may need to start at the bottom and work your way up. 

Adapt your CV and highlight transferable skills

If you’ve been working for a while, there is a good chance that your CV will be tailored to roles within an industry that you’re preparing to leave behind.

As you look to take advantage of new opportunities, it’s critical to review and update your CV, to try and adapt it to suit different job adverts and to highlight transferable skills and professional experiences, which could make you more employable. 

Many of us have had time to reflect in the last few months, and for some, the pandemic has unexpectedly put their career plans on ice.

If you’ve lost your job, or you’re eager to pursue different avenues, there are ways to forge a new path. 

© New To HR