Unemployment rates are soaring. Over 23.1 million Americans have filed for unemployment. That’s an unemployment rate of 22.5%, which is shy of the 25.6% mark during the Great Depression (Fortune). If you are finding yourself a part of that 22.5%, that can be scary.
Here’s the good news. For those who are in the technology sector, unemployment is significantly lower and companies are still growing and hiring! Unemployment rates for those in computer occupations* in April 2020 were 2.8% while all other occupations were at 15% (Forbes). We don’t have data across the board for all folks in digital marketing and emerging technology so it is likely the unemployment rate for the digital marketing and emerging technology sector, as a whole, is probably higher than 2.8%. But, all things considered, it is still lower overall.
The digital marketing and emerging technology industry is holding firm and we strongly believe it will bounce back much quicker than other industries. We hope you find some comfort in that. In the meantime, here’s what you can do if you have found yourself out of a job:
- Update your LinkedIn profile
Make sure your most recent role, and all previous roles, are listed in your LinkedIn profile. That will ensure any hiring manager or recruiter viewing your profile can clearly see what you have accomplished and how you might be able to help them. Update your profile to “Looking for job opportunities” to show recruiters you are open to new opportunities and don’t forget about TalentID’s Top 5 LinkedIn Profile Tips.
- Update your resume
A resume is a requirement to apply for most jobs. Recruiters and hiring managers will request a resume prior to speaking with you. So if you haven’t dusted it off in a while, now is the time. It is always a good idea to have an updated resume and refresh it every few months. For more details on how to update your resume review 6 Ways to Make Your Resume Shine and Top 10 Common Resume Mistakes.
- Apply to jobs online
Once you have an updated resume and LinkedIn profile, there’s nothing holding you back from applying to jobs. Check out places like LinkedIn, Indeed, ZipRecruiter, CareerBuilder and more. Make a list of top companies you are interested in and check out their job openings. You can also set up Google Alerts to help let you know of openings.
- Take on freelance/contract work
Advertise your services on LinkedIn. Update your profile with a new role and call it Freelance or Consultant or any other title you think fits. Describe the type of work you can do for companies. This helps to broaden your scope of potential work arrangements until the right full-time role comes along. You may even be able to add to your skills and experiences with this approach.
- Network
The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics reported that 70% of all jobs are found via networking. We have seen reports stating up to 85% are found via networking! This means you need to make it your mission to meet others working for companies you would like to work for as well as others in your industry or area of expertise. Since you can’t meet in person right now, be creative: schedule 15 minute get-to-know-you calls, ask for informational interviews, do an early morning coffee call, ask for introductions from those already in your network, etc.
- Stay relevant
Never stop learning. You can learn through networking and sharing thoughts and best practices. You can take this time to obtain certifications and brush up your skills. What ever you do, focus on the professional development that makes you a stronger candidate for the types of roles you are seeking. Check out resources like Lynda.com, HubSpot, and Coursera to name a few.
- Be organized
Use spreadsheets to track all job search activities. Create tabs for jobs applied to with links to the job description, company, exact resume sent. Add additional tabs to track conversations, interviews, to-do’s, next steps, etc. Check out tools to help manage your job search for more ideas.
New jobs won’t magically come to you. But, if you do the right things, you put yourself in the right position to present the best version of yourself and your experiences when the opportunity arises. There is no time to waste, get started today! Good luck and please, as always, let us know if we can help.
* “Computer occupations include Computer and information research scientist, Computer and information systems manager, Computer hardware engineer, Computer network architect, Computer programmer, Computer support specialist, Computer systems analyst, Database administrator and architect, Information security analyst, Electrical and electronics engineer, Network and computer systems administrator, Software developer, Software quality assurance analyst and tester, Web and digital interface designer and Web developer.” (Forbes)