COVID-19 has impacted every part of life and society, from the way we live to the way we work. While teaching and learning activities will remain online for Semester 2, and travel restrictions mean fewer opportunities to attend professional networking or job fairs, I’ve been reflecting on the saying ‘to repair the house before it rains’ and choosing to focus on what I can do to become work-ready despite the challenges.
Here are my top tips to enhance employability under the current stay-at-home restrictions:
1. Embrace Remote Networking
While we may no longer be able to network with industry face-to-face, many organisations now host live virtual events or workshops through Zoom or Google Meet. These virtual events are opportunities to:
- Learn new things
- Expand your professional network
- Discover the latest business trends
- Meet and interact with like-minded peers
- Adjust to remote ways of working and communicating
It might also be worth reaching out to people who are working in roles you are interested in on LinkedIn, and politely inviting them to share their job insights. In an environment where everyone is working remotely, you may find people are more responsive on digital platforms than they were before.
2. Source Meaningful Online Programs to Upskill
A good use of your spare time is exploring opportunities to upskill online. You’ll be surprised that many programs are free, practical, and will enrich your resume.
For starters, here is where I like to look:
- MBS Newsletter
- University notices
- Training websites like InsideSherpa
Identify topics, areas and skills that fit in with your career interests, and even better if you can find virtual events or workshops being delivered by organisations you’re keen to work with.
3. Prepare for a Virtual Interview
Most employers will engage in virtual interviews during this time. They may require both pre-recorded and real-time interviews online. Technical questions may be challenging to prepare for, but you can practice behavioural and motivational questions that will most likely be asked during the interview. I find it helps to identify the skillsets your dream company is looking for and reflect on your experiences by listing examples related to these. Use bullet points and the STAR technique to structure your answers before recording. Practice many times – the more the better!
I hope you find my tips helpful and I wish you the best of luck on your work-ready journey!
- Lan Yao, MBS Student Ambassador