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INDIANAPOLIS —With social distancing, searching for jobs can make you feel like your job aspirations are left hanging in the balance.
Lauren Carter, a local career coach, talked with RTV6 about how you can make good use of this time at home, and put your best foot forward.
"There are still jobs being posted everyday right now — that doesn’t necessarily mean companies are going to be moving as quickly forward with their hiring timeline," Carter said. "It's a great idea to just get in the habit of looking for jobs.”
Carter is the founder of Career Coach Indy and is ready to help you navigate through the COVID-19 crisis.
While we are social distancing, Carter says its a perfect time to set yourself up for future career success.
“Maybe this is a time to think about a career pivot," Carter said. "What could you be doing right now to think about what is next?”
Carter says if you're thinking about making a career pivot to do the following:
- Research different industries
- Start thinking about networking
- Update your LinkedIn profile and resume.
You could be looking for way to beef up your resume, Carter says. Like:
- Ask yourself, "how could i grow as a professional?"
- Take certification or training classes
- Add these programs to your resume
Yale, for instance, is offering free online certifications. According to carter, there are several other free webinars out there for certifications.
For high school students at home right now, Carter says:
- Check out virtual tours of colleges
- Join a Facebook page or group to connect with other incoming freshmen
- Get ahead of the game and join LinkedIn
For college students sent home, Carter says:
- Start networking now — you can do this virtually
- Connect with potential employers
- Practice interviewing
Carter also says, most importantly:
“How could you show a prospective employer that, 'hey, i was proactive during this time, I wasn’t lazy, I was seeking opportunities. I was networking and making connections. That’s going to be really impressive to a future employer.”
Career Coach Indy is available to help you develop your personal brand, your resume, conduct mock interviews and more. Plus Lauren can talk with you virtually to do a career assessment if you feel stuck.
