The COVID-19 Pandemic has had a major impact on jobs and the employment rate, particularly for young people. In July 2021 in NSW the adult unemployment rate was 4.5%, while the youth unemployment rate was more than double that at 9.7%*. The pandemic has created additional challenges for young people who are wanting to work. However, there is good news! Despite the challenges, if you are looking for work there are a number of ways you can prepare and get yourself job-ready.
We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 ways you can prepare yourself so that you are job-ready when you find a job you want to apply for!
1. Use this Time Wisely.
- Things might seem to be slow, but that doesn’t mean you have to be. You can use this time wisely to work on yourself! Don’t sleep in every day. Instead, set an alarm, and keep regular hours – as if you were already working a 9 to 5 job. Instead of clocking in at work each day, make it your ‘job’ to work on yourself! Exercise, eat well, meditate, catch up with family and friends on the phone or over video chat… but also do things that are going to help you in your work pursuits. Work on your resume, edit your cover letter regularly, search for opportunities online and keep applying for jobs (even if it’s not exactly the job you want, the more you apply for, and the more you fine-tune your application, the better you’ll be at it once the perfect opportunity comes around).
2. Reconsider your Options.
If you had your sights set on finding work in an industry that has been heavily affected by the pandemic, it might be a good idea to explore other options – at least for now. Hospitality and retail will likely get back to needing new staff again, however the travel industry may take a little longer. What transferrable skills do you have? What subjects or courses have you studied that will work in another industry? The Job Outlook Career Quiz can help you to understand your work style and explore different careers that you might enjoy.
3. Study and develop your Skills.
A lot of university, TAFE and other courses by Registered Training Organisations have moved online. This may have opened up opportunities and flexibility for you to study what you’ve always wanted to study, or something new that you identify. Short courses are also available (some are even free!) that could help boost your resume and help you advance along on your career pathway. Even non-specific courses like First-Aid or Infection Control could really help if you are unsure what to study during this time (and they look great on your resume during the pandemic!). TAFE NSW, in conjunction with the NSW Government are offering a number of fee-free short courses as well as free Lockdown Skill Up From Home courses. The Australian government is also providing free or low-cost training as part of the Covid recovery.
Check out the above links to expand and grow your knowledge and give you more career opportunities and job options– it’s the perfect time to do so!
4. Take Advantage of your Skills or Passions.
If you have transferable skills, start applying for jobs within a variety of industries. You may not have any formal experience in the jobs you are applying for, but your specific set of skills may also be useful in other industries. You may have amazing communications skills that could be useful in a job you might not have considered before such as telephone sales. Thinking of what what you are passionate about might lead you to work in something you have not thought of before. For example, you might love working outside and can pick up a few days labouring here and there to help get you through this difficult time. Reflect on what skills and passions you can offer and what jobs they would suit in the current circumstances.
5. Consider a Brief Career Pathway Detour.
You may have been working really hard on forging a career for yourself before COVID-19; and this won’t go to waste. It may be helpful however to start expanding your job opportunities and applying for roles that don’t fit within your current career path. Getting work in any field, and having this on your resume is likely to be more attractive to an employer than having a large gap in your work history. Prospective employers will understand the difficult times jobseekers (especially those new to the market) would have found the challenges of the COVID pandemic; making it easier for you to explain why you may have deviated from your chosen industry/career during this time. Try looking into delivery, manufacturing and warehouse jobs as there are a lot more people shopping online these days!
6. Be Creative.
If you are struggling to land an interview for any type of work during this time, it may help to get creative! There could be hundreds of applicants for the job you are applying for, and you want to stand out so don’t just apply for jobs the traditional way. Try a resume drop off at the shop where you are getting essential groceries, or call businesses to ask about job or volunteer opportunities (they’ll be more likely to remember you and appreciate your initiative!) You can also join local Facebook career groups, network with professional contacts you might have from the past, and check out community notice boards at supermarkets, and TAFE for example. It may be easier to sit and apply for advertised jobs online, but you’ll likely have more success if you reach out to businesses and organisations directly.
7. Volunteer.
You may not be able to land a job in your chosen field right now, but you could possibly find a volunteer role in a related field or industry, or in fact in any industry. Volunteering is a great way to gain experience while giving back to the community. It also looks really good on a resume… and you never know, it could end up leading to a paid position! Charities often take on volunteers and many charities need volunteers during the pandemic. Starting as a volunteer and showing what you have to offer may put you at the top of their list when a paid role becomes available. Community radio stations are another great place to volunteer. You can gain experience within music, technology, news and current affairs, researching, producing, announcing. Even if these jobs are not anywhere near what you want to do for a career in the future, it will help you expand your knowledge and give you transferrable skills, such as team work.
8. Have a Strong Social Media Presence.
It’s always a good idea to have a respectful social media presence, as potential employers may check your social profiles to get a better understanding of who you are before offering you a job. Social media is also a great way to promote yourself, especially if you are pursuing a career in a creative industry. Professional career websites like LinkedIn are great if you have a lot of experience and professional contacts that can vouch for you, but don’t be afraid to use more tradition social media such as Instagram and Facebook to promote yourself as a jobseeker. You never know which friend of a friend owns a business and is looking for staff.
9. Talk it Out.
If you are unsure what you want to do or how to get started during this challenging time, have a chat with someone. Talking with family and friends to get some support with your work preparation journey can be very helpful. You can also get some professional employment support to help if you need it.
10. Apply to be a Christmas Casual (Bonus Tip).
Even during this challenging time employees may start looking for Christmas casuals soon. As we head into this busy time of year, also as it seems Sydney is soon coming out of lockdown, some employees will require some extra staff to keep up with high demands. And while we are unsure of what Christmas may look like this year, hopefully employers may still have extra opportunities available. Starting as a Christmas casual could lead to permanent work once the holiday period is over, but also looks good on the resume and could lead to work elsewhere when more opportunities become available.
While it may be a challenging employment landscape at the moment to be a jobseeker, these tips will help prepare or upskill you for when more job opportunities start to open up. Keeping a routine, being organised, and staying motivated will also help you stay mentally healthy and focused during your jobhunting journey. Good luck on your journey! You can do it!
For more information regarding job preparation support during this time please contact or check out the below:
For Sutherland and St George region: 2Connect Youth & Community: https://2connect.org.au/our-services/youth-services/employment or phone 9521 6531
For other areas: Your local Job Active provider https://www.dese.gov.au/jobactive
or Transition to Work provider https://jobsearch.gov.au/transition-to-work or Kidshelpline ph. 1800 55 1800
*Information sourced from lmip.gov.au in September 2021.