Personal Isolation was an invaluable tool in the fight against COVID-19. But that’s not the whole story.
Pharmaceutical companies developed several vaccines which have been vital in preventing the spread of the disease and have saved countless lives. Other tools such as mask wearing, washing hands and work surfaces, and the development of new medications to treat COVID-19 infections have been effective, to varying degrees.
It is, however, personal isolation that has been, and remains, the most effective tool we have against the spread of disease.
In addition to isolating ourselves when we became infected, we reduced personal, social, and professional contact with each other as a preventive measure. We avoided crowds, public transportation, schoolmates, playmates, work associates, friends, neighbors, and even family members.
To support and preserve our social, professional, and personal contacts, we adopted the use of various tools to communicate, visually and digitally, avoiding in-person contact. While effective, these adaptations are not a substitute for direct contact, and in many ways, have become a subtle form of avoidance and isolation.
We cannot sustain and grow a vital economy, manage a family, or conduct our personal lives effectively in a long-term state of isolation.
The nuances of losing direct contact with others were not obvious at the onset of the pandemic. While necessary at the time, we are now aware of the missing elements and the advantages of sharing face-to-face time and space with other people.
Isolation sealed off seemingly trivial things: personal greetings, the sharing of observations, opinions, rumors, firsthand experiences, and personal and social stories. We lost our reactions to and from other people regarding our thoughts and opinions. The variety and quality of input we had on a typical day, both with people we know and complete strangers, evaporated.
We also lost the most valuable tool in managing a diverse workforce: The constructive interactive effects; the synergy created when groups of people collaborate in problem identification, analysis, and the development of innovative solutions.
Isolation inhibits our personal growth and also promotes polarization of social and political ideas. Without steady interaction with people, we lose valuable exposure, reactions, and diversity of ideas.
Personal Isolation leaves us stranded in a void of our own making, and limits our ability to adjust, interact, and develop our social and individual people skills. We inadvertently sustain a narrow, unchallenged, and even stagnant point of view.
How does isolation affect our job-hunting efforts?
Job hunting is a new endeavor for those seeking a job change because the elements involved differ from the current familiar job skills we practice, aspire to improve upon, and master. When we are looking for a job, we want to be as knowledgeable and proficient as possible. Job hunting requires a whole new skillset, regardless of what your occupation or status has been until now. We do not regularly practice job hunting skills sufficiently enough to sharpen our readiness. It requires focus, learning, planning, and practice.
The pandemic has left us out of practice, and it’s time to sharpen our communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills. This includes networking, refreshing and growing our contact list, and pursuing new referrals. We need to have our written and verbal resumes ready for sharing.
We must be prepared to shed our isolation cobwebs and regain proficiency in our social and communication skills to aggressively engage in a job hunt.
Look for additional information in my Source Blogs, and my upcoming book, Job Hunting – Launching to Landing.
Ben