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Why coronavirus shouldn’t interrupt your job search!
video interview, hiring advice, covid...
Many people don’t know that March and April are peak hiring months for many businesses, this article will guide you through how to navigate your job search amidst the Coronavirus outbreak.
Why is March a peak hiring month?
They say that the best time to look for a new job is when you already have one, whilst this is true, there are also hiring trends that happen in predictable peaks and troughs throughout the year. Whilst it would appear that Coronavirus is throwing this timeline off, getting to grips with these will help you navigate the job market and find you the perfect finance or accounting role!
January and February usually see a lot of new job postings as most decision-makers are back in the office following the holiday break. They will have received their new hiring budget for the year and will be ready to recruit new talent and fresh skills.
However, in March and April, the hiring momentum is usually still going strong as companies will want to have their hiring requirements met before summer. This would usually mean that there is an increase in competition for these roles, however, this is where you can take advantage of the application lull caused by the Coronavirus.
Why will Coronavirus put many people off applying at this time?
There will be fewer applicants at this time as many will assume that businesses will be reducing their recruitment initiatives due to the uncertainty caused by increased confirmed cases of Coronavirus in the UK.
However, this is an unsustainable model for most businesses. Recruitment for a business is time-sensitive and links the overall business plan for growth with the required talent and skills to support it. Coronavirus is creating short-term issues for companies but shouldn’t get in the way of their long-term trajectories. As Coronavirus is thought to behave like seasonal flu, come the summer months, many companies will be looking to initiate large-scale growth with new clients or projects enacted. This means they will need more highly skilled and highly-qualified staff now to meet these growth expectations.
Most UK businesses are providing the means to offer their staff work-from-home options to protect them from the outbreak. With a little bit of open-mindedness and ingenuity on your part, you can navigate the entire application and interviewing process remotely to get your dream job and ensure your safety from COVID-19. Video interviews are the way forward!
Our tips to giving a great video interview:
According to Forbes it only takes seven seconds to make an impression, in order to make sure you make the best impression remotely there are a few factors you should make sure you’ve troubleshooted for your video interview.
Make sure you have the following:
An internet connection with suitable bandwidth
A laptop or desktop with a webcam, a tablet may suffice but you should invest in a table prop so you’re handsfree
A good microphone, headphones or headset
A private, quiet and well-lit place
If you’re using a personal Skype or Google account, you should probably make sure you have a professional sounding username, although many employers will use a third-party platform or Office 365, allowing you to access via a link
On the day of your interview, it is always a good idea to check that all of these are working and that you can guarantee no interruptions or disturbances. It’s always a good idea to also have the following:
A copy of your CV to hand
A pen and pad
Your phone on silent
No other tabs open on your computer
A neutral background behind you
At Edward Mann, all of our consultants are fully mobile and able to offer you remote support in this high-pressured time. We are not chained to our desks but able to work wherever we have hand sanitiser and a Wi-Fi connection. We can assist you in finding the right job move where you can fully utilise your skills and plan for personal growth to ensure a bright future. Our consultants will help you at every step of the way, offering application support, and interview advice so you make the right impression.
Coronavirus is leaving many people feeling alienated and alone, we’re here to make sure no one misses out on an opportunity of a lifetime.
Get in touch today to find out how we can help: