Pandemic Job Hunting: How To Not Sound Desperate
Like many other Canadians and Americans, I am on a temporary layoff with little hope of returning to my hospitality job. Job hunting during a pandemic could be considered an oxymoron. Why are we prioritizing employment over maintaining our physical and mental health? Because the economy seems to be moving right along and government assistance is waning at this point. The messaging from the government seems to be put a mask on, stay a good distance from people outside your bubble but otherwise continue on as normal. In order for me to do this, I need a new job. Beyond the economic need for a job, I am sorely missing being productive and feeling like I’m a part of something.
So how can I convey to employers that I want this specific job without appearing that I’d also consider selling my soul if they really want me to?
Be informed about the company
Do your research. Understand their core business and revenue streams, and have some intelligent questions prepared to demonstrate your interest. Study their website, check the LinkedIn profiles of the people you will be speaking with, and Google the company for any recent news articles that may be relevant.
Employers want you to want to work for them. Demonstrate your interest and be ready to speak positively about the organization. I’ve heard several times that a job interview is like an audition for a role. When an actor walks into the audition room, the casting director wants to hire them — it makes their job easier because they have to look no further!
Carefully craft your personal sales pitch
They will undoubtedly ask you to “tell me about yourself”. This is your opportunity to sell yourself. Be prepared with 3–5 sentences that describe where you have come from, what you’ve done in the past and how it relates to this opportunity. Never sell past accomplishments short. For example, I have worked in hotels for almost ten years in a variety of roles but I am currently looking at entry level roles in start ups in order to get my foot in the door. In my sales pitch, I mention how proud I was to make my most recent internal move to sales at the hotel I worked at. This is entirely true. I felt that I finally found a place I belonged and had a bright future ahead of me. I then go on to explain that in light of the disruption in the industry as a result of the pandemic, I’m looking to pivot and restart my career in a company that aligns with my personal values.
This explains why you’re having the conversation with the hiring manager, but also gives your accomplishments credit where it is due. Take your time preparing your sales pitch and make sure you nail it when given the opportunity.
Don’t engage in games or malicious tactics
While it is important to be available for interviews and this might include shifting your schedule a bit, you shouldn’t be disrupting your entire life or having an impromptu interview with little or no advance notice. If a recruiter calls you for a phone screen and you are caught off guard, it is entirely acceptable to say that it is not a good moment and ask if you can call them back in 5 or 10 minutes. This gives you time to collect your thoughts, have a quick look at the job description and make sure you are prepared.
Also, employers should never ask you illegal questions (things relating to race, pregnancy, etc.) and you can call them out on it. Employers feel that they have the upper hand right now because so many people are out of work but that does mean you have to stand for inconsiderate or illegal antics from them. You may feel compelled to respond to these kinds of questions in order to get the job, but consider if you even want to work for a company that treats potential hires poorly. Chances are, you are not actually that desperate.
Job hunting is always an emotional and tumultuous activity and the pandemic has amplified that. Remember to take a day off every now and then to take care of your mental health — try not logging onto your laptop, going for a bike ride or having massage. Make sure you’re getting daily physical activity, journaling or meditating regularly and have someone in your corner to bolster your confidence. Good luck, stay strong and never sell yourself short.
