Career coach offers advice on job search during COVID-19 pandemic

The basics are the same, but the way you search for a job could be changing.

Career coaches say even if a job isn’t posted right now, which is likely the case, you should start looking ahead.

Dr. Leonard Lang is the founder of Beard Avenue Coaching. He said the impact of COVID-19 on unemployment is a first.

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"Certainly, I saw the great recession and it obviously slowed a lot of things down and shifted things, but this has so many variables, so many unknowns. We aren’t sure what is going to bounce back when it bounces back unlike previous times, so it’s tough," said Lang.

The career coach said when it comes to finding a job, you’ll need to look at both the short-term and long-term.

"Make sure people are taking care of themselves, their health and their finances, and see what they have to do to get whatever kind of jobs they need now," Lang said.

As for those long-term goals, Lang said the fallout from COVID-19 could actually create a positive opportunity and one you might not even realize.

"Try to think of that in this larger picture, and take some time to figure that out, so you are not spending thousands and thousands of hours of your life doing something that makes you miserable," he said.

When looking for a job, Lang said it’s important to network and get that human connection.

"You made an ally hopefully who can connect you to other people later on … maybe who can get you those more ideal jobs."

As for your frustrations and anxiety, know you are not alone.

"It’s rough, it’s a rough time; accept that. It’s not just you, so you don’t have to put it on yourself. I think sometimes we do that even though it doesn’t make sense. Recognize this will pass eventually, and that you are doing what you can to fix it."