My Prediction on How You Will Get Your Next Job (During or Post Pandemic)

The most likely way you will get your next job, whether now or post COVID, is through a referral. Studies back up my prediction. Referred applicants are 15 times more likely to be hired than applicants from a job board a Jobvite study has found. The Washington Post reported that 70% of all jobs are found through networking, citing a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Yale University report. Hiring from referrals makes sense; in these uncertain times, hiring managers want to avoid risk and hire candidates vouched for by people they trust. 

How do you get a positive referral for a job? Do kind things for people now. That’s it! Some particulars:

1. Don’t reach out to people only when you need help. You should keep a positive ongoing relationship going with friends, old classmates and colleagues, etc. so when you ask for someone to walk your resume in, it’s not coming out of the blue.
2. What easy things should you be doing? You can donate to pet causes, send holiday cards, check in with people to say hi, and send notes of congratulations when they or their employers are in the news.
3. Everyone is motivated by different things, so think about what each person would appreciate before acting. Offer to put them in touch with someone who can help them with their career or a project. Or volunteer with a nonprofit or professional organization. Not only are you doing good, you’re also letting people know what you’re like to work with.
4. If you are up for more advanced networking, here is a good list of things to do now (e.g., meet with people virtually, publish interesting content so people come to you, etc.).