In launching a successful job hunt, you schedule meetings to introduce yourself to a new cast of individuals who are mostly people you have never met. Many of these contacts have been referred to you by a work associate, friend, social acquaintance, or family member, and will open new doors. These meetings form the heart of your job search, opening new opportunities, sorting possibilities, and narrowing your search to the job best suited to your experience and needs.
Our interpersonal skills need to be dusted off and polished. Many companies have dropped their exclusive virtual job interview approach and are returning to face-to-face meetings or using a combination of both types of meetings.
Post COVID 19 Pandemic
Now that we officially post- pandemic, and can proceed without isolation and masking, in most cases. (Some people may continue to wear masks due to individual vulnerability or preference.)
Despite dropping mandated mask wearing and isolation, I occasionally wear a mask. For example, when I visit a doctor’s office (some still require a mask), when I visit my pharmacy since most people there are unwell, and when I’m in unfamiliar and crowded situations.
During your job search you may be asked to adjust to changing conditions when conducting networking meetings, referral meetings, or during job interviews, whether virtually, by phone, face-to-face, or all three.
Discontinue Isolation
The time has come to shake off isolation and its negative effects. We have missed opportunities to mix, disagree, compliment, excite, tease, laugh, challenge, inform, learn, and surprise each other.
Use what you have learned to protect yourself and your loved ones during the pandemic but make a personal effort to break your isolation. Go about your job search with full determination and confidence. Break the log jam of isolation and take in the benefits of socializing and meeting new people.
As you conduct your job hunt and add new contacts to your personal and professional sphere, you have an opportunity to hone your interpersonal skills, which ensures you are at the top of your game when you meet for a job interview or networking meeting.
Expanding and exercising your networking skills provides the practice you need, and more importantly, provides specific referral channels for meeting individuals who will help you find your next job.
Our interpersonal skills may have grown rusty because of personal isolation, and recommitting to practicing them by networking will yield important new contacts and referrals, and ensure we participate in every job interview with full confidence.
See additional blogs for further discussion of networking and creating new contacts and referrals.
Ben