I would love some feedback on how others are handling pandemic work search.

Anonymous

December 20,2021 at 2:55PM UTC

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I would love some feedback on how others are handling pandemic work search. I was fully employed up until July 2020 and then laid off (from a job I held for three years). I took some time to be with my family during our stay at home period and then resumed my work search. I have yet to find full time solid employment. In the meantime I took classes, tutor part time/as requested, and work part time in retail to maintain some sense of employment, ect. I recently had a recruiter tell me that ‘if I want a job they are out there’ suggesting that my lack of employment for this length is now questionable and added that he has had employers tell him ‘if anyone I’m interviewing says they haven’t worked because of the pandemic I will end the interview’. Is this the climate we are in? I wouldn’t mention my lack of employment first as due to it, but with a family to care for during this time it is challenging- to find work that also has flexibility and / or hybrid of some sort. It’s not falling in my lap and I’m rejecting it!

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AnonymousDecember 20,2021 at 3:07PM UTC
Find another recruiter and never work with that recruiter again. See if you can find a job coach.
Your lack of employment is not questionable. It's understandable.
I've spent a year interviewing, being treated like cattle, hunted and ghosted. Today I get my offer letter. Do not give up.
And put all those classes, tutoring, and retail work on your resume. You haven't been doing nothing. You've been living.
Good luck.
Lesa Edwards, Career Coach & Master Resume WriterDecember 20,2021 at 3:13PM UTC
I highly recommend a job coach - we are able to "diagnose" areas for improvement, missteps, better/more effective ways to look for a job. Perhaps most importantly, we work on your mindset around your candidacy, the job market, etc.
AnonymousDecember 20,2021 at 3:35PM UTC
Keep your head up and keep looking. You'll find the right one eventually. I will say to not let a job post that doesn't state "remote" deter you. The company that I just received an offer letter from didn't have anything listed about remote and it is a work from home position for the foreseeable future. If/when they feel comfortable enough to have people return to the office, it will be a hybrid situation where we only go in when necessary.
Patricia ColeDecember 20,2021 at 4:04PM UTC
I agree with many of the comments below. Can I ask what kind of work you are in? Maybe I can help or know of people or resources that can? I'm sure it goes without saying, but networking is also super important. The great thing about networking is that people genuinely like helping others. I'm not actively looking, but I have found LinkedIn to be a good resource, same with Lunchclub (happy to invite you) and (believe it or not) working mom and professional groups on FB. You seem to be doing the right things so don't give up, keep your head up, and don't work with any recruiter that isn't there to support you. His comment (IMO) is a reflection on him, not you. You can do this!!
Erin Thomas, Career + Leadership CoachDecember 21,2021 at 4:10AM UTC
It’s so common for candidates to have employment gaps over the past two years, and what was once a red flag for many recruiters is not any more -and more understandable.
In other words. from what I’m seeing recruiters and hiring managers aren’t as concerned about gaps as maybe they once were.
It is important how you tell your story though through your branding.
If you need a coach I’m happy to help. I coach people with private coaching as well as group coaching g. My next boot camp starts end of Jan that you may be interested in.
feel free to holler if interested:
www.careerandleadershipcoaching.com
AnonymousDecember 21,2021 at 5:02AM UTC
I was in the same place as you - laid off from my full-time job in May 2020, took classes to upskill, gave free consultations in exchange for networking, and was also asked why I left my last job. (ugh) First, you and many others didn't choose to be long-term unemployed - but people who weren't affected seem to have forgotten. I'm not sure what industry you had worked in, but mine was really impacted and we're only now seeing signs of recovery. I recently received a job offer and you will also find something. The hardest part when in this period of not working is to wonder if you should just take anything, but you still need to keep your priorities and standards.
Kelly MeigsDecember 21,2021 at 2:35PM UTC
Keep looking. We have 400 job openings - we can't afford to be that picky. Good luck!
Shelley Maley, Career Coach (PHR, GCDF)December 21,2021 at 3:34PM UTC
Keep in mind this is one employer's opinion - please don't be discouraged! You're still doing things that are proof of your motivation and desire for ongoing personal development. Besides, would you really want to work for any company that has this philosophy? I sure as heck wouldn't. No thank you!
AnonymousDecember 21,2021 at 5:30PM UTC
You're not going to want to work for a company with someone so close-minded that they won't accept what is a legitimate excuse for anybody during this time. If that's how they behave during a worldwide emergency, I can only imagine how they behave during the everyday. If they're so tired of hearing it, when it's also something we're very much still in, that also makes me question their own resilience. That's just one more reason why we're going through the Great Resignation. Don't worry about that kind of negative mindset. Focus on attracting a positive experience at a company you can actually see a future with. Plus, an employment gap isn't that uncommon even outside the current circumstances. The recruiter seems ridiculous to me, too.
MarissaDecember 22,2021 at 12:28AM UTC
Completely agree with this!! You wouldn't want to work for them anyways if that is their response. It shows their lack of adaptability.
AnonymousDecember 21,2021 at 5:31PM UTC
My comments will be more candid/harsh than others here, but yes, it is the climate with some employers. Each have different perspectives about pandemic employment. As a hiring manager, I extended effort to interview candidates only to have them tell me in the interview they are seeking remote work, when the position was not posted as remote. Or they want this/that/another thing and all we the employer want is someone to get the work done. Employee attitudes have become more entitled and I hear “because we’re able to work remotely.” Perhaps, perhaps not. I have experienced declines in services with the WFH scenarios, and I completely understand why an employer would make the comment that was made. I hope this offers a different perspective to your search.
AnonymousDecember 21,2021 at 8:42PM UTC
I'll be equally harsh. Most office jobs do NOT need to be in person. Butts in seats is an excuse to micromanage. If the work gets done, why do you care about the rest? Expecting people to waste money on commuting, office warddrobe, etc, is more entitled than people wanting some flexibility.
AnonymousDecember 21,2021 at 10:18PM UTC
Not all work is getting done. I’m literally on hold right now for the last 35 minutes with a bank tech support dept, who I’m certain are working from home. Asking people to do the bare minimum is not micromanaging.
AnonymousDecember 22,2021 at 1:43PM UTC
You don’t know that’s the reason you’ve been on hold, they could have many other callers or are trying to solve your problem. How do you know? It is not helpful to anyone to make assumptions and spread them without factual knowledge.
AnonymousDecember 22,2021 at 10:49PM UTC
Speaking as someone who works in tech support, remotely, not every issue is a quick password reset. I've had calls up to six hours long. Working from home doesn't mean you're not doing your job. Good lord that's entitled thinking.
AnonymousDecember 24,2021 at 2:49PM UTC
I was using it as an example of how long it takes to get support of any variety. I was on hold with our medical insurance provider equally long, and I know they are WFH. There is no denying service is different now. Obviously there are many lines drawn over WFH vs non- WFH.
AnonymousDecember 24,2021 at 11:03PM UTC
Nah. I reject your premise that somehow WFH is causing longer waits. You don't know what their call volume is like or if they're short staffed. Just wait your turn like everyone else. Stop blaming WFH for pandemic difficulties. My org lost a number of support staff at all levels and for sure wait times are longer now. Support jobs are hell especially dealing with people who are impatient. People are leaving jobs all over the country which is the more likely cause, IMO.
AnonymousDecember 21,2021 at 9:29PM UTC
I agree with you 100%, but I am sure few others will. Anyone that truly wants a job has one, or can get easily get one. EVERYONE is hiring! I personally know several people that had difficulty finding work pre-COVID, but have since easily found work since nobody else wants to anymore. COVID is now the excuse for everything.....
AnonymousDecember 24,2021 at 11:05PM UTC
They may be 'hiring' but is the job worth the risk/stress/lousy pay? Not all those higher wages are real and not every employer is actually calling applicants.
Annetta MosesDecember 22,2021 at 7:00AM UTC
As a hiring manager due to the nature of the work, most of the position at my company are the office or plant. Before the pandemic there were some remote positions.
What I believe is for you to decide what type of work is right for you (remote or in person). Look for a position that is what you need. Do not expect the company to adjust to you.
Good luck.
JudikingDecember 23,2021 at 2:12PM UTC
Personally, I would emphasize what you did after the lay-off. You worked in retail while continuing your education and (volunteered?) as a tutor. You were not sitting around collecting unemployment. You were busy. Sell yourself. There's a lot to sell there!
AnonymousDecember 23,2021 at 2:13PM UTC
It sounds to me like you're making a choice to not take any old job but to wait for the right opportunity. Own that! There's nothing wrong with taking time off and being with your family and not working. You are working, you just aren't getting paid.