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I’m fortunate to recruit early career HR roles and wanted to share with you some of my insights into how you can use this time to enhance your job search, ensuring that you come out stronger on the other side.

Although there is no denying things have slowed down (numerous companies naturally have recruitment freezes in place) by no means have things stopped completely. We’re seeing industries such as FMCG, Logistics, Government, Insurance and essential services in high demand throughout this time. We have been partnering with candidates and clients alike to ensure new starters are successfully remotely inducted and that candidates are both competent and confident enough to begin working in an exclusively online world; both of which are new concepts to most. Fortunately, I have seen many candidates smoothly start their new roles from home. So, if you have been impacted by COVID-19, or would like some assistance in navigating through the current climate, I would love to share with you my five best tips.

1. Be open to opportunities, particularly contract roles

I appreciate that now, more than ever, people are seeking long term stability and longevity. However, by doing so you may be preventing yourself from landing great opportunities. As the market changes, you need to stop, pivot and roll with what the employment market offers. Lots of businesses (such as the industries I mentioned earlier) will be seeking extra support, and in times like these you’ll find the market geared toward contract roles, less so permanent. Bear in mind that contracts don’t necessarily mean short term and we’re seeing varied lengths up to 6- and 12-months. This can be a great time to try a new industry or turn your hand to an exclusive HR project.

2. Know your worth, but also know the value of the role 

Feeling challenged, valued, and engaged in your work are factors we all know are critical to enjoying success in the workplace. Moreover, throughout this time finances in particular have become more critical for many of us. However, I would encourage you to look at the value of a role and what you can gain from that experience, with less weight on the remuneration and what your worth ‘should be’ as the leading factor. Perhaps there are exciting projects that form part of the role, the ability to gain access to senior leaders, or the ability to work within a talented HR function. For some, it can be something as small as gaining Workday experience or exposure to working with a unionised workforce. Try to see the value in an opportunity presented, even if perhaps initially it may seem a little left of centre and not at the remuneration level you’d ideally like.

As you consider different types of roles many of you may be wondering “How will this impact my resume?”, and “How will this short-term contract look to a future employer?”. To put it simply, the answer is - everyone is in the same boat. People understand the market has changed and this naturally drives a demand for flexibility. As long as you can clearly explain your path, then it won’t do you any disservice.

3. Use your networks

In my opinion, this is one of the most understated and underutilised channels that each of us have. Living in an online world we have the power to connect with a broad range of HR professionals, bodies and groups. A good starting point can be reaching out to previous colleagues and simply asking if their HR team needs support, or perhaps they may know of someone that does. AHRI and other platforms can be a good way to connect with others, whilst also gaining market insights and sharing knowledge.

4. Consider further studies 

If you’ve been considering taking up further qualifications, perhaps now is the time. We’re fortunate to have access to such a broad range of HR courses, from a Diploma through to a Masters degree, and even shorter more targeted courses to hone certain skills. With the majority of courses now online, it’s an excellent opportunity to utilise this time to deepen your knowledge, as a competitive advantage.

Take some time to reflect on how you present and how you are seen as a HR professional within the industry. Your CV and LinkedIn profile can be a great place to begin. On LinkedIn, get back to basics by ensuring you have a professional headshot photo (please no selfies!) and proofread any content you have on your page. Use the platform to interact with others, read and share interesting articles, and build your connections. Another quick and simple tip while job searching is to switch your LinkedIn profile to “Open to Opportunities”. This will show potential employers that you’re looking at roles and can be a great way to gain some traction in your job search.

To summarise, I would encourage you to be flexible, open minded, and to take the opportunity to try something new in these strange and challenging times. It’s so rare in life that we are given the time to stop and reflect, so try to use every interaction to your advantage. 

Should you have further enquiries or would like assistance with your search, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I wish you all the best of luck, and we will all get through this together.