Improve your hiring chances in a COVID-19 impacted job market

We are living in unprecedented times, with graduating students stepping into a future ushered in by a global pandemic. Gone are the days where success in the workplace is powered by the knowledge economy. Today, transferable skills or “soft skills” are what will enable you to thrive in the post-pandemic world of work. Amidst the competition, it is pretty hard not to miss the elephant in the room: securing your first job.

While you cannot choose when you graduate, you can control your approach to employment. With some companies tanking, while others flourish and are actively expanding, you can still expect to find opportunities for open roles. No matter the industry, increase your odds of success with these five tips that will improve your hiring chances in today's COVID-19 impacted market.

Display Your Problem-Solving Ability
Nothing stands out more than an individual who brings in solutions. Companies are always in search of talents to alleviate problems and fix frustrating challenges. Demonstrate your problem-solving skills by providing specific instances to unexpected or complex workplace conflicts. Any individual who can solve problems effectively will be in demand, regardless of any job or industry.

Hone Transferable Skills
As you begin searching and applying for jobs, make use of this time to hone your transferable skills too. Examples such as communication, collaboration, adaptability and organisational skills are some of the many soft skills to sharpen in order to remain ahead in today’s rapidly-changing world. One such way of improving your adaptability is by having a willing mindset to accept challenges and be open to learning from others. There are many readily available free e-book resources for you to check out as well.

Work on Your Personal Brand
Understanding oneself is essential to developing a strong personal brand. Think about where your strength lies and your area of expertise — then articulate your uniqueness clearly. Unsure of what works for you? A self-assessment test is a good starting point to know more about yourself.

What follows is practice and more practice. Communicate how distinct you are, and articulate your strengths through a combination of relevant experiences and personality.

Shine Up Your Resume
As a fresh graduate, do not fret if you do not have much working experiences to add to the list. One workaround is to simply customise your resume to highlight specific achievements and soft skills acquired in and outside of school. It is also important to adapt your resume to suit each job application accordingly.

Proactively Expand Your Network
Beyond the opportunity to secure a job, expanding your professional network can help you in keeping a pulse on the job market, build prospective connections and possibly gain access to resources that will foster career development. Put yourself out there and leverage on LinkedIn to proactively introduce yourself to recruiters, regardless of open positions.

Practice Self-Care
Lastly, don’t neglect your mental wellness. It is of prime importance to practice self-care to maintain a sane and positive mindset as we get through this season. Remember to exercise, eat well, stay healthy, and rest when needed.

As the saying goes, chance favours the prepared mind. Take this time to brush up on your skill sets, adapt, and you will be off on a good footing.