Have you just realized this job is no good for you anymore? Or, perhaps, you’ve had a career change on your mind for a long time but can’t go through with it because of the pandemic?

Putting off such a major change for the more stable times is understandable. The job market is unpredictable right now.

Some job seekers have been hired and laid off several times during one pandemic year. That’s because employers may overestimate their staffing needs, or new COVID-related regulations lead to an unexpected drop in workload.

Yet, the pandemic’s effect on the economy and, consequently, the job market is going to be long-lasting. So, how likely are you to be successful in starting a new career path after the world returns to the old normal?

Short Answer: It Depends

Unfortunately, there’s no crystal ball at thefutureofwork.net to predict the future with 100% certainty. There is only one thing for sure: the economy’s recovery speed is what’s going to determine the demand (and competition) for your desired job.

The hardest-hit industries like hospitality, lodging, retail, and arts are likely to bounce back fast, but the number of jobs will still be lower than before the pandemic.

According to the University of Chicago, 4 in 10 jobs may never return as companies go out of business permanently. The Aspen Institute, in its turn, projects that three-quarters of restaurants will never reopen.

That translates into a lot of vacancies (although mostly low-paid ones) available as soon as businesses reopen. Yet, competition is likely to be high, too.

Other industries have seen a spike in their need to employ new workers during the pandemic. This trend is likely to continue after it’s over. It will concern jobs revolving around computer sciences, digital services, and healthcare, to name a few.

Keep in mind there are other job market trends still at play. Automation will remain a driving force behind some occupations becoming obsolete, like data entry clerks, assembly workers, and accounting clerks (per Future of Jobs Report 2020).

How to Lay the Groundwork for Post-Pandemic Job Search

Switching occupations overnight isn’t a thing. Preparation will be the most important factor to determine your chances of success. It will also mitigate the associated risks and will make you more likely to land an interview and get a job offer at your dream company.

1. Reflect on What You Want

This is the prerequisite for a career change, post-pandemic or not. Here are 7 questions to reflect upon to pinpoint the most important answers.

1. Why are you keen on changing your occupation? Is it because you don’t enjoy your current professional activities anymore? Or you want to combine your passion with the stability of a paycheck?
2. What do you want to learn or get better at in your new capacity?
3. What do you enjoy doing?
4. What entry-level position would you like to pursue? (Find several options to have a plan B or C.)
5. Which responsibilities do you see yourself taking up?
6. What’s your ideal employer like?
7. How flexible are you in terms of pay, remote work, location? (The more flexible you are, the more opportunities you can choose from.)

2. Assess Your Chances to Land a Job

Never go all-in blind. Do your research on the desired occupation first:

1. What shape is the industry in?
2. What is its projected recovery in your location?
3. What is the current and projected demand for your desired job?
4. What are the minimum and preferred qualification requirements for this position?
5. What are the most common soft and hard skills an applicant should possess?

It’s a good idea to read through the current open vacancies to get answers to the latter two questions.

3. Work on Your Key Skills

If you’re still living under partial or strict lockdown, there is one silver lining. With so much free time at hand, you can no longer find an excuse to not boost your skills.

But even if it’s not the case, chances are high your skillset will need updating for a new occupation.

Refer to the list of required skills you’ve compiled during your research. While it’ll be different depending on the occupation, some skills are in high demand across the whole job market:

• basic computer literacy and digital skills;
• research and analytical skills;
• critical thinking and data literacy;
• time management and self-discipline;
• creativity;
• problem-solving;
• communication and collaboration.

Don’t neglect these soft skills: most recruiters find them at least as important as more job-specific ones.

4. Craft a Winning Job Application

It’s not enough to have an OK resume and cover letter. They have to be outstanding and, therefore, memorable for the hiring manager. Here are some tips and tricks to achieve this:

• tailor them to the job description;
• use the keywords from it to bypass the resume-scanning software;
• list both soft and hard skills, but only if they’re relevant;
• keep it short and simple;
• expand your work experience section with the most impressive accomplishments;
• add a link to the portfolio (if applicable);
• follow up after you apply.

5. Embrace Freelancing in the Meantime

If you have zero or little work experience in the desired field, it’s time to acquire some. Freelancing is one way to do so.

Fortunately, many employers turn to freelancers these days. This increase in demand is motivated by the flexibility that comes with employing freelancers’ services.

Don’t discard donating your services either, if it’s possible. Unpaid work experience is the easiest to get for beginners. It’s also the best way to learn what it’s like to work in field conditions.

6. Start Looking While Still Employed

Never bet on finding the right job on the first try. The job search may take months, especially in a highly competitive field.

Holding onto your current job may not bring joy, but it’ll help you live comfortably while hunting down that sweet opportunity. Be discreet about your plans, however.

In Conclusion

Even though this pandemic-induced crisis is guaranteed to leave its footprint on the economy, there are always some employers currently hiring.

Of course, the competition for some positions is going to be more cutthroat than ever before. But the only sure way to remain jobless is by never applying in the first place.

So, prepare for the change and apply, apply, apply. And remember: persistence, flexibility, and standing out among hundreds of applications are key to successfully changing careers both during and after the pandemic.