Photo by Emma Matthews Digital Content Production on Unsplash
It might feel difficult contemplating your career path in the midst of extreme uncertainty and news of shrinking economies, but there’s nothing like taking steps to improve your own little corner of the world to give you back a sense of control. And when it feels like so much has been temporarily taken away from us, the one thing we have been given is time. Use it to refine your skills, reshape your future and get ready to be bossing it when you’re back!
Reflect on what it is you really want from work
Rarely do we get the time to sit back and think about where we’re headed and what it is we really want. Take this opportunity to check that you’re on a road you want to be walking; don’t continue to invest in a career path that leads you further away from your goals. We’ve a number of profiles on the site of women who’ve pivoted from one industry into another – and it’s not necessarily as difficult as you’d think! Sit down and brainstorm ideas about your dream job. Next week’s blog post, 10 Career Planning Questions to Ask Yourself, might come in handy…
Get inspired!
Read books, watch TED talks, listen to podcasts – get yourself excited about the world of work!
Review current job adverts to see what employers are looking for
Even if you're not actively job-hunting, staying up-to-date with what employers in your industry (or one you'd like to move into) are currently looking for can help you strengthen your current position as well as prepare you for any future opportunities. So if you spot multiple job ads mentioning social media presence, or coding skills, you can implement the changes now to make sure when the time comes you've got what it takes. Guardian Jobs and LinkedIn are good places to start. Or go wild and see what it takes to get some of the craziest jobs in the world on Escape the City!
Identify any skills gaps
Maybe you keep seeing a skill you've not yet acquired coming up in job ads, or maybe you've known for a while that a second language/coding ability etc., etc., would be an asset to your role but haven't had the time to tackle it. Now is the time to invest in you!
Here are a few learning platforms that might help you:
Duolingo: a popular app that offers a range of language learning courses in fun and manageable formats.
Check out Skillshare for courses in creative fields including illustration, lettering and photography, and showcase your work on Instagram.
Whilst every single person in the western world is a consumer of websites and apps, very few of us actually know how they work. Could you help your employer or your future prospects by being one of those who do? Start with a simple course on HTML – the building blocks of any web page, from the likes of Udacity or Codeacademy. (I learned HTML and CSS and as a result saved hundreds of pounds by designing and my own business website.)
Check out LinkedIn Learning for a courses on a wide range of professional skills, including web coding, graphic design, management and marketing.
(Some of these platforms are free; most of the rest offer free trial periods.)
Finesse your LinkedIn profile/CV
Don't leave re-writing your CV to when you're about to apply for a new job; keep it regularly refreshed and the task will become much more manageable. Similarly, check in with your LinkedIn profile if you have one, and make sure your professional details are up-to-date. And, if you've started a new course or side project during lockdown, don't forget to add that in!
Reach out to people who might be able to help you.
This could be as simple as connecting on LinkedIn, or it could be as specific as emailing a potential mentor. Write some recommendations for colleagues’ skills on LinkedIn and they may well return the favour. Or if you’ve got an idea a prospective employer could benefit from at this time, let them know - don’t forget, employers are also struggling to adapt and evolve.
Virtual networking is so much easier than trying to do it in person: the worst anyone can do to you right now is not reply, and in the grand scheme of things that really isn’t so bad. And trust me, most of the time, the person you contact will be pleased to hear from you and more than happy to help, even if it’s just to see a new face!
And you know what, if all of this seems like too much for you, if you've just been fighting to keep your head above water during lockdown, don't forget that even small things like thoughtful reading, keeping in touch with colleagues and keeping yourself fit and well will ensure that you are ready to hit the ground running whenever you need to.