How to Get Hired Without Leaving the House | TopMBA.com

How to Get Hired Without Leaving the House

By Linda Mohamed

Updated April 3, 2021 Updated April 3, 2021

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect economies all over the world, most of the workforce is left wondering about the next steps and the implications that the outbreak might have on their future career.

If you fall into this category – whether you were job hunting or just about to finish b-school when the virus hit – try not to worry too much. Businesses are still recruiting through online applications and video interviews, and many are looking for employees who can work efficiently from home.

In fact, remote work has been on the rise since before the coronavirus outbreak, with over half of jobs in the financial and business services sectors now providing workplace flexibility.

Allowing employees to work from home is highly convenient for employers, as it allows them to downsize their offices and cut traveling and operation costs.  

Technology plays a huge role in allowing companies across the globe to maintain business continuity in uncertain times – it’s not by chance that video conferencing and remote work apps such as WeChat Work, Zoom, Slack and Microsoft Teams have risen nearly fivefold since the start of 2020.

But how has the process of finding a job changed in the past few months? How can you make a good impression to recruiters through a screen?

Here are TopMBA’s tips on how to land the perfect job from the comfort of your home.

Update your LinkedIn and social media

Now more than ever, online platforms are a key starting point in the job-hunting process. Make sure your profiles are up to date and – most importantly – appealing to employers.

Start off with a professional photo – preferably a headshot – and a headline/bio that will stand out.

When writing about your skills, past jobs and duties, focus on showing off how you can help companies thrive during difficult times. This is more important than your achievements, as recruiters will be looking for proactive and skilled individuals who want to make a difference in their organization.

And finally, share interesting and industry-relevant content. There is no excuse not to keep up with current affairs, and you’ll want to show your determination by narrowing your focus on specific fields.

Expand your online presence

LinkedIn and social media aren’t the only places where employers can notice you.

In fact, online recruitment services have grown exponentially in the past few years. Now more than ever, it’s important not to underestimate their efficacy.

We recommend signing up to key players such as Recruit, Monster, CareerBuilder and SEEK, where you’ll find a wide range of opportunities across sectors. If your interests are a bit more niche or sector-specific, specialty websites such as FlexJobs and The Dots will help you narrow down your search.

Another tip: make sure you select specific job titles and type keywords such as ‘work at home’, ‘remote work’ and ‘telecommute’.

Spend some time networking

Networking doesn’t always require meeting in person. Once you’ve set up your social media and online presence, look for people and organizations you’re interested in and connect with them. Emails and LinkedIn messages are always great icebreakers.  

You can also network with recruiters and jobseekers on discussion boards and job forums on recruitment websites like Reed and Indeed.

Moral of the story: don’t be scared to put yourself out there, you have nothing to lose.

Curate your application

Even if it takes a while to land your first interview, don’t rest on your laurels.

Having a great online application is key to breaking into any industry. A survey by CareerBuilder revealed that 18 percent of employers said including a generic, not customized resume was an instant deal-breaker. Of those, 10 percent also believed all applications require a great cover letter.

While you’re at home, prepare a cover letter that is adaptable for different roles. Take a look at different job adverts (expired ones will do too), highlight skills that come up often and write down examples from your own professional experience that prove you possess them.

Once opportunities start to roll in, it’ll be a lot faster to tailor your application to different positions and companies.

Prepare for video interviews

Video interviews can be intimidating, especially if you’re used to in-person interaction. This is why preparation is key to avoid rookie mistakes.

Practice in front of a mirror or – even better – record yourself answering common interview questions on your phone or computer. Pay attention to your posture, facial expressions and whether you’re able to maintain eye-contact through a screen, and ensure that you’re in a bright, distraction-free space.

Trust us, you’ll be more a lot more natural and confident in front of recruiters when the time comes. 

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This article was originally published in March 2020 . It was last updated in April 2021

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