Losing a job is always hard. Losing a job during a pandemic piles on even more challenges. Regardless of why you lost your job, you probably want to find another one fast, so you don’t fall behind on your finances. Perhaps you were at your past job for a while, and it’s been some time since you’ve gone job hunting. It can be challenging and feel like a lot has changed. This article will help you navigate finding a new job in 2020. 

Your Resume 

You knew this was coming, the dreaded resume update. Sure, circling back to your resume can feel intimidating. Luckily, the intimidation factor is the hardest part. Once you move past that and divide to sit down and work on it, things will flow daily quickly. So first, take a deep breath, and get in the headspace to knock it out. Pulling up your last resume is a great place to start. If you have it on file, it’s not too much work to add your new skills and recent experience. If too much time has passed, you may want to start a whole new one. Make it easy on yourself and use a simple template. You will see a lot of flashy templates floating around, but don’t be intimidated. Stick to something basic; we recommend one of these templates. 

Applying to Jobs 

Almost all job applications are online now, and it’s pretty simple. New job searching sites are great because they make it easier to apply to multiple jobs by saving your information. The more methods you use, the more desks your resume will come across. But, this is not to say that you should apply for every job you see. Take your time, read the full job description, do a web search on the company, and make sure your skill aligns. Understandably, you could feel a lot of pressure to find a new job quickly, but if you choose the wrong one, you may wind up back in this position in a few weeks. So, take the extra time to make sure the job is a good fit and save yourself a struggle in the future. Once you have determined the position would be a good fit, it’s essential that you write up a customized cover letter for each one. Yes, it sounds like a lot of work, but it goes such a long way, and in the end, you will get a more high-quality job for it.  Cover letters don’t have to be very long, just a few short paragraphs about why your skills would fit well. 

Be Kind To Yourself When Finding a New Job

When you send out a few applications and don’t hear anything back, it can be discouraging. Remember, everyone has been there before. You cannot be the perfect fit for every job out there. Remind yourself that it is only professional and nothing personal. Your time will come, but in the meantime, be kind to yourself. When negative thinking and self-talk creeps in, it will only hurt your chances. While you work on finding a new job, don’t lose sight of your mental health and more sure to do things to keep your spirits up. Finding a new job in 2020 can be a challenging time in anyone’s life; reach out to friends for support, and don’t give up! 

*Disclaimer: This article post is not meant to substitute for legal aid or give legal advice. If you or someone you know requires legal aid, please reach out to a qualified attorney. California Employee Advocates is not a law firm.