Overcoming Uncertainty: Tips to Manage the Unknown
By Julie Levin
For a significant group of the gainfully employed, it has officially been a year since remote work became the norm versus the exception. When I hung the 2021 calendar (yes, I still like having a paper calendar), I told myself I would say goodbye to 2020 for good. No revisiting, no do-overs, I would just get over it and never look back in the rearview mirror.
Easier said than done. For some reason, I can’t help but reflect on the impact of the last 12 months. As a “seasoned” talent acquisition professional now working on the other side of the fence, I felt compelled to share my experience.
I am a recruiter by trade who was unemployed during the worst time possible. Companies weren’t hiring in general, so they certainly had no need for someone who was dedicated to activities that had come to a grinding halt. I got lucky though — an incredibly challenging year ended on a high note.
So what are the lessons we’ve learned? This is where my Chicago shows up — I tell it like it is.
2020 is the new 2008-2009. We saw high unemployment for those rarely out of work. The positive spin is recruiters and hiring managers will understand a less than consistent or steady work history since many were in the same shoes. I had more employers in one year than I like to admit (four plus government-provided unemployment benefits). This was hard to believe and definitely not part of my plan, but neither was COVID-19 and its effect on the workforce.
Ghosting is a thing. Sitting in the corporate recruiting seat, I used to think ghosting only happened with candidates who were conflict avoidant, nervous or just unresponsive. But this trend is happening across the board, and its truly legit. As a candidate, I reached out to numerous referrals via established relationships. Maybe one in every 10 got back to me, and even that estimate is overzealous. I now wholeheartedly believe the “unfortunately we decided to pursue” email is better than crickets. Celebrate the little things.
Follow up. If you feel you are sending too many of the “checking in to ensure you remember me” emails, know that the recruiter or hiring manager will eventually ask you to chill. But people get busy, and they do forget. Remind them. Showing interest is a good thing and communication is a great thing. Keep it up.
Maximize your network. Really. I landed at company No. 4 after following up on a connection’s LinkedIn post. It was a long shot since I wanted a part-time gig, but you won’t know unless you ask. In the worst case, they will say no. Take the risk, the reward is worth it.
Hindsight really is 20/20. How ironic. Would I have made a job change in April 2020 if I had purchased a crystal ball from Amazon? Heck no. But it’s too late. We all make mistakes. Time to move on.
No regrets. This continues to be my mantra, and it is tattooed on my forearm just in case I forget. It should be yours as well. Even though my timing was lousy (to say the least), it is still OK to make an “opportunity” or lateral move. You learn from every experience. Life is too short — as COVID-19 blatantly showed us — and the glass should always be half-full.
The high note? Thanks to where I kicked off 2020, my name came up when Molloy Associates was looking for a new recruiter. Everyone familiar with behavioral based interviewing should recognize the phrase “past performance predicts future performance.” After 2020’s experiences, I would add that past performance predicts future opportunities. Build relationships, deliver on commitments and reap the benefits.
For anyone who landed on the bench last year, I have been there. I get it. There is an end in sight.
Peace out 2020. Bring on 2021. We are ready…