Job Hunting During a Pandemic: Tips and Support

Job hunting is always a stressful time. Meeting potential employers at interviews, making sure your resume is up to date and waiting to find out if you got the position. Looking for a job during a global pandemic isn’t any easier! Here are some tips to support you towards your journey of gaining employment as a university student.

Many people lost their jobs during the first wave of the pandemic, where restrictions were being strictly enforced, but were able to get compensation from the government – which is no longer being offered, despite the recent rise in cases. Luckily, students are still able to apply for a period retroactively, as well as apply to the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB).

Get Creative

As university students, most of us need income during school to pay for tuition, rent, groceries and more. It’s important to remember that there are other ways to make an income other than working a part-time job! If you have a hobby that you love, try to see if there’s a way to turn it into a side hustle. Purge clothes you don’t wear or no longer fit you and sell them online. Especially confident in a certain subject or skill? See if you could tutor other students! There are lots of ways to create your own business, work from home and be your boss – a pandemic doesn’t stop determination and hard work. Check out The Butler Collegian for more ideas on creative income!

Be COVIDWise

It’s common for students to work jobs that put them in the middle of the spread of COVID-19, such as serving jobs or retail – working directly with customers. It’s important to make sure we as students are taking all the precautions possible to avoid increasing the spread and to keep ourselves safe! Make sure you’re following the COVIDWise rules: wear a mask, isolate yourself if you’re feeling unwell, stay two metres apart, and exercise good hand hygiene. If you can, find a job that you are comfortable with.

If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to find a job working from the safety of your home, similar to remote learning. If not, it’s important to know your rights as a worker if you’re put into a situation that makes you uncomfortable. As a worker, you do have the right to refuse unsafe work! As a student, this was something I wasn’t sure if I was able to do, seeing as I wasn’t in an authoritative position at my previous employment. Visit the Ontario website to learn about COVID-19 workplace health and safety, and make sure you are exercising your rights!

Start Your Hunt Online

It’s already overwhelming enough during the pandemic and virtual learning to have to think about job hunting, and it’s hard to know where to start. Websites like Indeed can help with a job search, especially with their keywords feature – that way you can search directly for jobs that fit your criteria. You can also take advantage of apps like LinkedIn that can help you network! You can use LinkedIn to find a job or internship you’re suited for, connect with others in your desired professional field, and learn new skills. As Carleton students, we have free access to LinkedIn Learning, an online learning resource for remote learning opportunities and to help build your resume. Networking is one of the most important aspects of the job hunt and finding ways to network virtually during the pandemic will help you succeed.

Visit Career Services

Another awesome resource is the job postings page on Carleton’s Career Services. They offer a variety of job postings: volunteer work, internships, campus jobs, full-time and part-time positions. Not only does Carleton help make the job search easier by offering job postings, but Career Services also helps with building resumes and cover letters, tips on how to network, preparing for job interviews and other tons of other job search support and resources. The Career Services office is available virtually, and you can make an appointment to talk to advisors and figure out the best next steps for you!

While these times can seem endless, make sure to remember we will all get through this together. Check-in on those around you, keep your head up, and continue working hard towards your goals.