Feel free to pass these on.
The coronavirus pandemic has caused some companies to cut costs by pressing pause on some job offers or worse, not having a job to return to. I have touched on this in the last few blogs. Not only is some of the older equipment not starting back up but some employers are thinking that only two people will be needed instead of three to perform the task.
I was checking out that job boards when I came across this piece written by Elana Lyn Gross, Monster contributor, and I wanted to share it with everybody. They are still talking about 42% of the laid off folks will not be called back to work. At this moment, the businesses that are reopening are offering sign on bonuses, plus a higher or at least a competitive wage.
Continue your job search if your offer is on hold
Companies of all sizes are responding to the novel coronavirus pandemic by cutting costs to preserve cash flow. Millions of people have been laid off, furloughed, or given pay cuts. As businesses adjust to working remotely, delayed supply chains, slumped stocks, and other consequences of COVID-19, some are responding by implementing hiring freezes. Others are going as far as to put internship and job offers that have already been made on hold.
There is a lot of uncertainty about what the national and global impact will be on hiring, but there are ways you can be proactive. Here is what to do if you find out you got the job, but there is no set start date.
Get more information
Find out if the job offer is actually on hold or if the company has decided not to hire for the role. It is possible that the employer cannot afford to bring someone new onto the team and will instead transfer someone internally or restructure departments to cut costs. As disappointing as that is, it is better to know so you do not have your hopes up for a role that will not materialize.
If the job offer has truly been placed on hold and the company anticipates filling the role, ask if they have an expected timeline for when you would start. It is hard to onboard someone remotely, so the hiring manager many want to wait until people can go back to the office or until there is more information about how long social distancing rules will be implemented. If the company cannot give you a timeline, follow up in three or four weeks or as soon as the federal or state government has more answers.
Continue job searching
In either case, you should continue your job search. Even if the job offer is on hold, there is a chance that the hiring manager will decide not to hire for the role because they no longer have the budget.
Keep applying to job postings and prioritize jobs that have been recently posted—that means that the company has a current role that needs to be filled.
If you get another job offer but you prefer the one that is on hold, you may be able to use it as leverage. Reach out to the hiring manager and let her know that you have another offer, but that this role is your first choice and that you will need to accept or decline the offer in the next few days. Ask if she knows the timeline for filling the role and reiterate that her company is your top choice. She made you an offer originally, so you know that she thinks you are a good fit. She may be able to make the case to higher-ups and move things forward faster if she think the company will miss out on the opportunity to hire you.
Try not to take it personally if they cannot speed up the process; it does not mean they do not value you. It could mean that the company is restructuring or does not have enough money yet so they cannot move forward even though they wish they could.
Focus on career advancement
Your job search might take longer than usual right now. Focus on career advancement, especially if you are currently unemployed and have a lot of time at home. Take online classes, complete a certification program, read industry news and books, and focus on your personal brand. If you are in a field like marketing, journalism, fashion, or art, start a blog or professional website and use this time to build up your portfolio of work.
Get creative about job opportunities
Gain new skills and job experience—and most importantly more money! —by taking on freelance work, contract work, a temp job, or a part-time job. This type of work could lead to a full-time job offer when you impress your temporary co-workers. If a position opens, a hiring manager is more likely to hire someone she already knows and likes to work with, so you will stand out from the competition.
Even if an opportunity does not open there, you will grow your network and meet people who could become references throughout your career. It also means that you could get a paycheck while focusing on your job search, career advancement, a side passion like writing a book or songwriting, or even a business you have always wanted to start.
So, this week instead of helping operations and manufactures to move in a forward direction, I want to help the workers move in a positive direction. I just ask that you please do not wait until stimulus monies expire.
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