Do you have an action plan for your job search? If the answer is no, don't worry. Here we will give you some tips on how to do it.
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Finding a new job involves a lot of effort, even more so in times of crisis. While digital platforms help in the process, they are not the best strategy. According to Macarena Paredes, Business Director and Consultant at Populus Group, it is best to have an 'action plan'. "Unfortunately, on LinkedIn you apply and in a single application there are 800 candidates. The best thing is to have a network of contacts," says Paredes. For this, she recommends free events and talks to meet people, which you can even do online. Also, have a well-prepared speech and, of course, send your resume to the places where you would like to work.
In addition, in the action plan, you must define how many hours you will dedicate daily to the job search. A fact to take into account is that job offers on the internet, on platforms such as Laborum.cl or Trabajando.com, decreased by 18% in January 2020, marking their fourth fall, according to data from the Central Bank.
The consultant also recommends taking into account that the time it can take someone to find a job is 6 months on average. In managerial terms (depending on the type of manager), "someone who has been a manager of a large company and is looking in the same sector, with the same or higher salary and benefits, can take between 6 months to 1 year to be hired where they want," says Paredes. On the contrary, someone looking for a management position in an SME can take between 6 to 9 months approximately.
Given the above, in these times, it is ideal to prepare for this job search, answering the following questions:
- Do I have a job search action plan?
- Is my resume well designed?
- Is my LinkedIn profile updated?
- Am I using my LinkedIn correctly?
- Have I talked to my network of contacts about the possibilities of finding a job through them?
- Do I have a speech prepared for interviews?
- Do I have a clear focus for this search? Can I maintain it over time?
In parallel, it is good to ask yourself: Can I be self-employed? If I don't find a job within the time I want or need, Macarena Paredes recommends resorting to technology. "You can use an app that allows you to earn more money, like Uber or Cornershop. You must consider that in 2020, job offers will not grow, but demand will," she assures. So start using your networks and review your possibilities. Also remember that not everyone has the ability to be self-employed, some don't like it, so review the option that best suits your goals.
If your knowledge and expertise allow it, you should consider expanding your target market by looking for opportunities on international freelance platforms. Fiverr, 99designs, or Upwork - to name just a few - connect the supply and demand for services such as writing, translation, graphic or editorial design, programming, and more.
If you are unemployed and thinking of self-employment, you should create a profile on these platforms, start studying the market, and create a client portfolio. Although English is necessary for most offers, there are portals with offers in Spanish.
On the other hand, it is good to consider that working methods are changing. Today, many young adults prefer more work flexibility, home office, and even working in co-works. This generates a new network of possibilities, such as having freelance jobs and betting on new ideas. Therefore, remember that being unemployed is always a challenge. However, it is good to see the positive side: when some doors close, a new world of opportunities opens.
It is also advisable to use a tool developed by expert human resources professionals, such as the Career Planner. In it, you will find very simple activities that will help you in self-exploration to discover your current situation, detect your strengths, define your objectives, develop your value proposition, and design your professional future. In addition, you will have tips to improve your Curriculum Vitae, create a Cover Letter, work on your Network of Contacts, and a lot of material that will be vital in your search for a new job.
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