How to Switch Careers During Lockdown

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought job insecurity for millions of people. All around the world, employees in every sector have felt pressure and uncertainty regarding their jobs, whilst others have realized how short life is and how important it is to do a job they love. For some, the combination of both these things has been the push they needed to begin a new career.

In fact, between January 2020 (pre-pandemic) and May 2020 (peak pandemic), the following terms experienced a 100%+ surge in searches on Google:

I want a new job
Job change
How to move jobs
Move careers

If you’re in the same boat and are wondering how you can begin a new career in the middle of a global pandemic, don’t worry, it is possible, and here’s how.

Go Back to School

Depending on the field you’re thinking of going into, you might need to spend some time doing some courses. For example, if you dream of being social worker, take an online social work degree at an institution like Walden University. This is a great option for lockdown because you have plenty of time to do it at home, and it works alongside your current job or responsibilities. Some careers don’t require a degree, but undertaking a professional course could still set you apart from your competition. An example of this is animal welfare. There are so many careers centered around animal care that don’t require a bachelor’s, but taking a specialized online course from a provider like Animal Courses Direct could really distinguish you from other people applying for the role.

Network, Network, Network

A lot of the time, getting a job isn’t so much about what you know as it is about who you know. Being stuck in the house leaves plenty of time to get to know people online, and if you’re looking to switch careers, this is something you can really take advantage of. Hop on LinkedIn, cultivate your profile and create connections with those who work in the field you’re looking to get into. Start a polite conversation by interacting with their posts, be upfront about your interest in wanting to do something similar and ask for advice. Make sure your profile is complete and professional, and post examples of your work and credibility of your skills. There are lots of recruitment scouts on LinkedIn, too, so getting to know a few of them will also help you learn about new openings.

Don’t Just Quit

Surviving coronavirus has taken its toll financially on almost everyone, and that’s why if you are lucky enough to still have a job, don’t just quit. Competition to get a job is fierce at the best of times, let alone when millions have been laid off and the number of people looking for a job far exceeds the number of jobs available. This means it could be quite some time before you find an opening in your desired field, and for that reason, it’s essential that you keep hold of your current job until you sign on the dotted line for another one. If you have a pretty decent security blanket, quitting spontaneously could be an option, but you need to think hard about how long you might be out of work for and how long your savings can reasonably last.

Believe in Yourself

Confidence can get you far in life, and nowhere is that truer than the job arena. Lockdown has seen many people retreat to their homes, limit their social contact and generally question everything about their lives, but don’t let this affect your self-esteem. It’s easy to get bogged down right now, but if you prepare well enough, network with the higher ups and keep at it, there’s no reason why you can’t make the career change you’ve been dreaming of.

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Christophe Rude
Christophe Rude
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