How Can We Support the Job Seekers and Unemployed?

SOME IDEAS ON HOW TO HELP THOSE SEEKING JOB SUPPORT AND DIRECTION

In my recent post “Dealing with Unemployment in the time of COVID”, I explained from an employee’s perspective, how it felt to be in a position of unemployment, after one is laid off due to the COVID situation or terminated — — An account, collective experiences of myself, friends and family. Similarly, I’ve put together an account from a recruiter’s perspective which seemed equally imperative when providing support to the unemployed. Having been on both sides of the coin, I have put together things that worked for me when I contacted recruiters, and small things we as hiring managers, career counsellors, and friends of friends have done right when communicating with job seekers!

Consistently Communicate & Be Available

When I applied for countless jobs, and spoke to countless recruiters. It was only a few who, looked me in the eye and said that “the market was bad, don’t keep false hopes, relax, and keep applying”.

Sometimes one needs to hear it in so many words, and so many times to accept what’s in front of you.

· It helps to be available on social media platforms like Linkedin and Twitter, where one can reach out to you for help more freely.

· Encourage a two-way dialogue. Post relevant articles that will encourage those who are unemployed in your network to resonate with it and respond. In a way it will help them vent any discomfort and pent-up worry, if so.

Tip: Share links and content that speaks to the audience it is directed to.

· It helps to respond to direct messages to people expressing genuine professional concerns.

· Try not to give them a feeling that they are an irritant. Each person has a different way to cope and react with job loss. Be professional and kind. Be honest!

Give Clarity by Providing Relevant Information (Examples listed below)

A lot of times we let practicality and assumption take over our common sense. For instance, while it’s practical to move on from the slump that the job seekers are in, we tend to assume that these job seekers already KNOW that the market is bad and already KNOW that it will take time. However, in reality, they don’t!

· These are uncertain times, and most of us don’t know how long the lockdown will last for, or how long the unemployed will remain unemployed. These are questions we don’t have confident answers to. But we DO know, ‘What’ is happening and ‘Why’ it’s happening. Start communicating the “What” and “Why”. These are answers good enough to start communicating to the unemployed, help them accept reality or even better, help them be prepared for it.

· Giving knowledge of the current situation and information on the job market, broadens one’s exposure, helps one get back to reality immediately and in some cases may stop one from cribbing about their “I can’t find a job situation” endlessly.

· Try giving them details and links that they can use in planning their next steps, planning their use of time at home, preparing their resume etc. It can help one shape their way forward or even map out their next steps.

· Give them To-do Lists and share articles This will help them channelize and customize their job search and interview skills better

Proactively Respond

A recruiter or career counsellor is viewed as a power house of solutions for any job related dilemma, especially for job seekers. Even a slight nudge or feedback from them makes job seekers jump with hope — a sort of a guiding hand leading the blind.

Not getting a response from recruiters and companies (which happens so often), kind of confuses the job seeker and is left wondering whether the employer/ recruiter is travelling or still hasn’t got a chance to see their CV.

· Responding helps. A “Yes”, “No”, “Maybe” is sufficient. But try responding, if not immediately, Eventually!

· A positive or negative response from a recruiter/hiring manager, depending on which, helps a job seeker Move On or Move Forward.

Tip: The feedback and response could be about their resume, an additional skill or course they need to acquire etc.

· Some companies have automated generated mails for vacancies that have been filled, while most companies don’t. Try checking that this procedural step is on point with regards to your company internally.

• It also helps to customize emails to suit the person (especially when you are helping a few in your network). Some examples of tailored emails, I have sent out:

1. When the market is bad. Explaining why companies are not hiring, and when is a good time for candidates to reach out again

2. When companies are hiring but candidates don’t meet the criteria. Give advice on re-working the CV. Follow it up with a post on CV and cover letter writing. Gives candidates a chance to work on something and the feeling that you took a look at their resume.

Be Empathetic

· Communicate solutions and responses with: I understand, it’s not easy, Hang in there, the best is still to come, I am sorry for the loss, but I am here to support you.

· While doing so, you will need to be empathetic, and show it. A little from your end goes a long way for those desperately holding onto hope.

So,

Be encouraging.

Be Communicative.

Be supportive.

Be kind.