Productive Career Strategies During The Coronavirus Pandemic

By Ford R. Myers
President, Career Potential, LLC

Normal channels and methods for face-to-face networking have been disrupted by the Coronavirus pandemic. But we don’t have to stop networking! Instead, we should shift our networking to online and virtual channels (including e-mail and telephone)!

You can still maintain your existing network very effectively and even grow your contact database during this challenging period. In fact, people are more receptive now than ever before because almost everyone is hungry for interpersonal connection (and most people have more time on their hands).

We’re all going through this unprecedented experience, which in itself binds us together. People will naturally be more likely to bond over this common stressor.

Below are many suggestions to help you maximize productivity in networking and career development during this Coronavirus era:

Networking – Maintain and Build Your Network

• This is physical isolation, not social isolation
• Engage others on social media
• Invite more people to connect with you on LinkedIn
• Send e-mails, snail-mail letters and cards
• Make phone calls
• Connect via Skype, Zoom, FaceTime, GoToMeeting
• Participate in FaceBook groups
• Conduct online meetings (individual or group), and virtual social gatherings
• Teach or take online classes
• Make new connections online and build your contact database
• Look for ways to be of service to others; create ways to add value
• Do everything you can to stay “top-of-mind”
• Join and participate in an online forum or group
• Share great content online consistently
• Write LinkedIn recommendations, testimonials, letters of recommendation, etc. for others
• Reconnect with people you haven’t contacted in a long time (be bold)
• Maintain a regular, structured schedule of outreach (think of it as providing a service)
• Set clear networking goals, and fulfill these goals daily
• Reach-out to all your communities and seek to be of service
• Ask for help if you need it, such as advice and networking referrals

 Career Development – A Real Opportunity

• Study, practice and improve your job search / career management skills
• Update your resume and all your other career documents
• Write your Accomplishment Stories (from throughout your career)
• Refresh and enhance your LinkedIn profile and overall social media presence
• Practice your interviewing, negotiating and related skills
• Take online classes and attend webinars to expand your knowledge and skills
• Pursue new professional training and certifications
• Research topics of interest to build greater expertise
• Write articles or Blogs and prepare presentations in your niche
• Position yourself as an expert and thought leader
• Write that book you’ve always wanted to write
• Improve your computer set-up, technology tools, etc. – to be more productive and current
• Practice online etiquette and behavior, to enhance your virtual presence
• Create a personal web site for your career and job search
• Take a good look at where your career is; decide if you’re satisfied or want to make changes
• Consider engaging a career coach to help assess where you are (and are not) professionally
• Position yourself for a quick launch and greater success when the pandemic is over
• Look in the mirror and possibly do an “image makeover”
• Think about what’s really most important to you in life; then make appropriate career decisions

It’s true that there are very few professional-level positions to be filled right now. But don’t just think about the present. Following the strategies above will help you plant seeds for the future, and position yourself for a “super launch” when the job market opens-up again!