Are you one of 22 million?

More than 22 million Americans have filed for initial unemployment benefits since mid-March. From furloughs to layoffs, many of us are trying to figure out how to bounce back from a job loss during a pandemic. When unemployment numbers were announced, it brought back emotions of the two times I was laid off from a job. I know too well the shock, the uncertainty, and the panic. Despite what you may have heard, people are still hiring. This happening during a pandemic doesn’t make it any better, but there are a few things you can do to get your mind right and start your job search.

Move with grace
It’s easy to go down a rabbit hole of applications that will have you in front of a computer all day. Let’s be real with ourselves, refreshing your inbox every 5 minutes won’t get an interview scheduled any faster. That’s why your job search should be slow and steady while you manage your pace with how many jobs you apply to each day. Take breaks and walk away from your screen. The more fixated you are about landing a job, the more overwhelmed it may get when you don’t hear back from hiring managers. Instead of working yourself up, move with grace, and remember your current circumstance is not your fault and that everyone is navigating new challenges with job searching. The job market has always been competitive, and it’s even more so now, so don’t be hard on yourself if the process is taking longer than you anticipated.

Reconnect
Since networking events and job fairs are on hold with social distancing, it’s time to dust off your contact list. The biggest lesson I learned in past layoffs is to keep relationships fresh because you never know when you need a favor. Start reconnecting with your network via email and phone calls. Set make your intentions clear with every call and email. Since life got REAL for all of us to ensure that you are engaging in a dialogue is not just about your needs and wants. Everyone is dealing with this pandemic differently, and some of the people you talk to won’t always have the bandwidth or capacity to help you. Test the temperature before you make an ask, but be available to make multiple follow-ups before you can get what you need. Once you are ready to make your ask: be clear on what you need their help with to serve you better. Have clarity on what roles you are looking for and provide links or job numbers for referrals. Always give a brief description of why you are a good fit for the role and provide that with a resume in an email.

Leverage online communities
There are many online communities who are offering support, opportunities and resources. Whether on Facebook, Slack or GroupMe find the right community for you. These communities will also provide the networking and support you need during this time. It’s good to know in this moment of social distancing that we are not alone. Communities that I have found to offer job and business insight during this time is Indeed, Grow with Google, National Urban League Digital Career Success Series, MiMConnect, iFundWomen and Career Thrivers.