FINDING A JOB DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Covid-19 has affected the world in many ways. One of the most drastic changes was in the job market and finding a job during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The unemployment rate in Nigeria has tripled in the last 5 years and due to the ongoing pandemic, the unemployment rate is expected to increase further. There are over 21 million unemployed people in Nigeria currently and it's obvious that the job market is not the best at the moment. This means that you have to utilise this time as smartly as possible. This includes doing things such as engaging with people from your interested companies to keeping your CV updated by learning new things as frequently as possible.

Job hunting was never short of stressful but job searching and getting hired during a pandemic is a whole new level of taxing and demanding.

So, what do you do when you cannot find a job during the ongoing pandemic? First of all, do not worry! Times are tough but they are so for everyone, including companies. Due to the current crisis, many companies had to shut down because their losses exceeded the profit they were making.

The companies that did not shut down went remote and thus loaded off many of their workers. All of this means that there will be twice as many vacancies available once things get back to normal.

Below I have listed down a few things that you can do to make the most out of this time and a few ways you can make money while finding a job during the Covid-19 pandemic.

MAKING THE MOST OF THIS TIME:

Let’s be honest, searching for a job when the entire world feels like it is a ticking bomb is nothing short of depressing. So, you might be wondering if so many companies are offloading then is it fruitful to send in your CV?

The simple answer is, yes! You must keep sending in your CV because if not today then once things get better you might be able to get the job that you want.

So, what should you be doing right now? Below I have listed down a few things you should do to keep yourself productive and make full use of the time that you have right now.

• Building Connections:

The first and foremost thing that you should do right now is to build up connections. If you do not have a LinkedIn profile, make it your priority to make one as soon as possible. Once you have made your profile, engage with people. One of the most important things to remember for finding a job during the Covid-19 pandemic is that you need to be digitally smart. Make use of the wonderful technology you have at hand. One of the most important things to learn is how to engage with people, especially business professionals.

LinkedIn is an excellent site to help you make connections with people in Nigeria and all over the world. You should also look for people in the same field as you to increase your chances of getting hired.

Talking to business professionals is not the same as talking to others. You cannot just like their posts and assume they will know who you are. Also, remember to all always reply as soon as they send a message. Do not read the messages through the notification and reply whenever you want too. Remember, it is you who need their help, not the other way around.

 What engagement does is that it creates an impression of you inside the employer’s brain so if a specific job comes, there is a likelihood that the employer will reach out to you.

• Learn New Things:

The next thing to help you stay productive is to learn new things. Through this, you will be able to drastically improve your CV and have a lot of knowledge to help you fit in different places.

As the world is advancing, knowing just one thing, for example, web development will not be enough. But being familiar with things such as Adobe Photoshop and After Effects and writing skills can ensure a job at the place you are applying.

Again, do not worry! There are a ton of courses available online that can help you learn these things. Many of them are also free or would cost a lot less than you might expect.

Check out websites like Coursera, Edx, and Udemy to learn more about their course fee and financial aid plans.

WAYS TO MAKE MONEY WHILE SEARCHING FOR A JOB:

Searching for a job and then actually getting one can take time, especially during circumstances that we are going through right now. There are several ways you can make passive earring while you are job hunting during the covid-19 pandemic. Some of them are listed below.

• Freelancing:

Freelancing is one of the simplest ways of earning passive income. Many people even leave their jobs so that they can do freelancing instead.

If you have any skills such as writing, graphic design, programming, etc. then utilize those skills and start providing freelancing services.

There are many ways you can meet potential clients including social media sites such as Facebook groups, Instagram, and LinkedIn and if you are serious about your freelancing business then sites such as Fiverr, Upwork, and freelancer.com are made for you.

These sites can help you connect with people not only from Nigeria but from all over the world and could potentially, develop new connections for future references. 

• Start Your Own Business:

Starting your own business might seem a bit daunting to some people but this is a great idea to earn a good income. One very popular way to start a business is to first, try out your luck on freelancing sites and then invest that money in your own business.

This business could be as small as owning a blog to having your own graphic design company. You can start your journey wherever you feel comfortable and build up from there.

In the end, make sure to follow the above advice of engagement. With the world in lockdown, this is your best bet when it comes to creating new relations. The job market is very competitive at the moment. There are more people than jobs available but don't get disheartened by it. Keep on applying as much as possible and if you have the luxury of taking a little bit of time off then do so and learn new skills that would guarantee you your dream job.