Tips to Help You Find a New Job During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Many people are in a difficult situation because of COVID-19. It's because they lost their jobs as companies needed to reduce costs. Under those circumstances, many people started to try new things to afford their expenses.

I found this in my office from 2009, and found it helpful during this pandemic. I may not of had the job I love, but I had a job I could tolerate. 

Paying the bills and even buying food is becoming stressful for those whose savings are decreasing day by day. To avoid the virus from spreading, many governments have taken isolation measurements. However, being in isolation means that you can't go out to work or buy products. Given that, remote working has become the new standard.

Nowadays, tech workers are playing an important role while helping organizations move forward. They have allowed companies not only to fill customers' needs but also to change how they operate. As a result, they've been able to innovate the market, even during this challenging situation.

Given these points, here are some tips you should consider if you are unemployed. These tips will help you to find a new job as well as meet future employers' requirements.

Do Some Research

Many positions have been affected by isolation. As a result, several are vulnerable and are still struggling to move forward. However, other sectors, like the healthcare sector, remain strong. Under those circumstances, you should do some research to see which sectors are still making job offers.

While looking for a job, you'll need to assess your skills. In that case, you'll be able to summarize what skills best fit employers' needs. Try to be creative and look for job vacancies even outside your local area. Additionally, you have to be aware that it could be a short term job. For that reason, be ready to compromise, at least while other sectors start to recover.

Contact Your Networks

Being in touch with friends has always been important. However, nowadays, it can be crucial to get a job. While looking for a job, they can help you get an interview. In the same way, you can make some calls to workmates who have worked with you in previous positions. Remember that spreading your voice is essential.

Often in the tech sector, candidates land qualifying jobs because of referrals. For example, as data becomes more valuable, companies need more tech talent like cybersecurity specialists. It's because they can keep companies' information safe as well as protect companies' products from digital threats. Under those circumstances, employers prefer to hire referred candidates rather than look for them on websites like LinkedIn.

Upgrade and Update Your Current Professional Skills

Maybe you have what it takes to get a job, but your skills are outdated. If you have free time, don't hesitate to complete some courses that could help you find and get a job. In the same way, keep up to date to stay relevant. Remember that education is the new currency.

Upgrading skills is essential because it helps you implement better practices. In that case, it's vital to say that tech professionals like WordPress Developers have to upgrade their skills regularly. It's because it allows them to create more dynamic websites by using the most recent plugins as well as better coding methods.

Build a Portfolio

Showing your abilities can help you get a new job as employers can see what you are capable of. With this in mind, it's feasible to say that building a portfolio is essential these days. You can include personal projects you are currently working on as well as other projects like team projects.

For professionals like graphic designers and UX/UI designers, building a portfolio is vital as they can capture employers' attention. With the use of portfolios, employers can evaluate aspirants' expertise. For that reason, they will know if candidates can meet their current needs or not.

Learn Programming Skills

During pandemics, tech workers have allowed companies not only to survive but also to innovate their working methods. Given that, the demand for skilled professionals has increased. In the same way, as customers started to use more digital channels, the need for digital solutions that could meet their requirements increased as well.

With this in mind, tech professionals with programming skills like software engineers started to create solutions that could help companies fill their customers' expectations. Also, learning how to code will allow you to work from any place. In other words, you'll be able to work from home, and you won't need to go to an office.

Nowadays, programming languages like Python are in-demand. Learning python programming skills will help you to be a must-have for employers. It's because Python is very versatile and can be used to create sophisticated solutions.

Python is exceptional for analyzing and visualizing data. For that reason, data scientists use it to build programs that can help them analyze gathered information. As a result, they'll be able to create better insights that help companies make data-driven decisions.

Furthermore, Python can be used to implement machine learning algorithms in existing products. In that case, organizations will be able to provide more personalized experiences to customers.

Enroll in a Coding Bootcamp

Coding Bootcamps have become very popular lately. It's because they offer courses where aspirants can learn in-demand skills to get better job opportunities. Under those circumstances, it's feasible to say that enrolling in a coding bootcamp is a great idea to be prepared to find a new job.

App Academy is a coding school that offers some exceptional courses in web development. At App Academy, you can become a full stack developer who's ready to mark the difference. For that reason, during the program, you'll learn new skills while building web applications on projects. Also, you'll learn how to code using programming languages like JavaScript and SQL.

It's important to remember that full stack developers are responsible for developing client-side apps as well as server-side apps. Under those circumstances, after completion, you'll be a candidate every employer would like to hire.

Conclusion

Generally speaking, looking for a job would be easier if you consider these tips. Learning new skills and enrolling in coding bootcamps will provide you with better job opportunities. In that case, during pandemics, you'll not only be able to land a new job but also to change your way of life.

Disclaimer: This is a guest post. This post was written by: Artur Meyster

Adulting Never Felt so Good

We sold a coffee table on facebook marketplace. It was big, and old. We bought in return a long, skinny dresser that we are converting into a gecko habitat. 

*Never mind the big stick. Travis is taking the bark off to make some sculpture thing.

It will look something like this, but not. *See the photo below. I want to get a white, or light colored gecko. Possibly in the spring. Its name will be Warhol, and it will have one of his pop art pieces in the background of the tank. He/she will have smooth Campbell Soup cans tipped over/edges smooth, for hides. I'm sure I'll tweak the color of the dresser/gecko enclosure. I'm not the type to leave things as is. I also don't mind its color.

Source

Huge news I got the job at AIM Institute! I even filled out the paperwork. It took way longer than it should have because I called the financial guy to make sure I was filling out the W4. Man things are different with those + I just haven't filled out that many. I wanted it done right considering that this is the job I plan on retiring from. If covid wasn't a thing, I seriously wanted to hug all their team through the computer. 

They pay well + have good benefits. The best things is that I'll be doing good things in the community. It's a nonprofit that helps put technology in the hands of those that can't afford it. I'll have a marketing title, but will do writing and graphic design as well. It will be mostly remote. They are ok with me teaching a college course at a university, in the evening once a week. 

I have to break up with Williams Sonoma. That's not so fun. I'm a bit nervous. I have to be honest, I haven't broken up with very many people or places. I kind of see things through the end almost always. It's their busy time + a coworker's father just passed away. It's only part time. I thought that with being part time I'd be able to transport Isaak to and from school more. Not so. She said she'd have the schedule done two weeks prior, which she does, but she changes it. I now understand why they have so many employees working part time: They don't have to pay for them to eat + they don't have to give them health insurance. I get hangry! Closing makes me on edge. It was in my job description. At Fresh Thyme there was always two people there that knew how to close. If I messed up, another person could help. It is cool setting up their displays. That's really my favorite part of the job. 

Do you find it hard to quit a job?

Jobless Again

Last week I found out that Fresh Thyme Farmers Market, where I work is closing. They called us in, for a “mandatory” meeting to tell us. Here I was thinking the mandatory meeting had something to do with my comments I made in an employee opinion matters survey. I have a track record of sharing positives and things to work on in surveys. At the last place I worked I was called in to the owner’s office to talk about if I liked my job or not. Truth be told there’s just as many things to say positive, as there is to say what to work on with any person, place or thing. Sure one might say I’m critical, but I find it helpful. Anyhow the meeting up being nothing about that. My manager told me that he wanted us to say exactly what we thought. 

We as managers/supervisors were told first because we’re leaders. As it turns out I’m feeling more like a leader than ever before. I listened to the cashiers vent, handed out my business cards to have them use me as a reference, and made them cookies.

What really bothered me is the people that come into the store every week to shop. One older man looked lost and said, “I don’t know where to shop now.” I wanted to hug him! I’ve helped him countless times with the card reader. I think he finally has it down. Another guy comes in with his kids, and gets them one piece of candy from the bulk section each and every time. 

Here’s Their Website:

I don’t feel like they’re here when I need them most.

They decided to close all Nebraska stores because it’s too hard to get to us. We’re kind of in the middle of no where. Omaha’s a want to be big city. It had nothing to do with our stores performance. They left us all to find jobs in the middle of a pandemic. 

Here’s my question: Why build Fresh Thyme Farmers Market if it is hard to make deliveries to? 

I closed both nights, when the sales started. It was crazy busy! It took me two extra hours to close. 

Night one of closing I was supposed to close with a manager. Instead the manager dropped a shelf in the safe, rolls of coins went everywhere, she had a fight with her husband on the phone, and I closed myself. 

Night two of closing my last customer had a cart full of candy and baby food. I had to count everything. The register wigged out, and the whole order disappeared. I had to do it all again. All that candy I counted twice, they decided they didn’t want it. 

Today my manager never showed up, and my fellow supervisor wanted to go work in grocery, where he wasn’t needed. 

I have this horrible habit of wanting the best out of a given situation. I want to do good, have others be positive, and feel the love. Isn’t that what life should be about? 

Searching for a Job in the Middle of a Pandemic

Source

It's an odd time to search for jobs. 

What I've learned...

• Look for things I know I can do
• Look for things I want
• Keep trying

I have three or four interviews this week. I say that because one I haven't heard back from yet, after I emailed them.

One I kept emailing, only to find out they weren't getting my emails. I guess it was through a job platform, not their actual email. I called them using the fourth of July as an excuse. I just said, "I started thinking that you may be out of the office due to the Fourth of July, and I wanted to touch base..."

For me it's not about how much money I make. It has more to do with enjoying the job. I'm not so sure I want to work somewhere that's in constant routine. I want to have a bit of variety. 

I want to work for a place where I feel like I'm making a difference. I'm not just a number in a crowd. It should be a team that we're a part of. Some places...you walk in the door and you feel like one person is against another person right away. If someone is under me, I don't want them to feel so. I want them to do their job, and we have respect for one another. I scratch their back, and they scratch mine. When it comes down to it all humans matter. 

What do you want out a job?

Leather #Portfolio Folder Padfolio for Business School Office Conference Presentation Interview Review

In a week Mica starts his first camp for the Healthcare Academy. I wanted him to have something to keep all his papers together all fancy like. 

Thankfully we got a Leather Portfolio for him to use. 

Inside:

The inside has different pockets for him to put papers. Right now I have his certificate that he got. He can put other papers in there too.

There's a pen holder as well.

I Love That...

It feels good to hold. Leather just it a fancy material! 

The pockets are unique in that they are 3 different sizes. 

It's great for many uses. It would be wonderful for job interviews, school, or business use.

I Wish That...

It had a zipper, so papers in no way will fly out on a windy day. It does have a rubber texture that holds things in. 

I wish it had one more holder, for an additional pen. I mean what if one goes out? I always carry more than one, just in case.

Cost:

You can get it on Amazon Prime for $11.99 https://www.amazon.com/Leather-Portfolio-Folder-Conference-Presentation-Letter-Size-Writing-Pad-Notepad/dp/B07PXVRK9J?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAIJKR6IY4BV5FKK7A&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B07PXVRK9J/ref=sr_1_5&ie=UTF8.

Do you have something fancy to hold important papers? 

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own. The company didn't tell me what to write.

The Moment You Write Up a List, and the Bad Out Weighs the Good

On Monday Travis is handing over his two week notice at his job. I think since he's gotten his job we as a family have been more stressed out, since he got let go after working at the dental lab for 12 years.

When one writes up a list with more negatives then positives; it's time to do something about it.

My husband was hoping his job would be rewarding. He was hired as an art teacher for adults with special needs. There's a lot more to his title that he was never told about.

1. He's had to work with one adult in particular that has to have his pockets checked for weapons every time he comes in the building. This adult has tried to hurt himself as well as goes up and hits others. He spit in my husband's face last week. My husband can't do anything about it.


2. Another person is violent. She got mad that she was unable to sit on "her" seat in the van. She got out, and proceeded to beat my husband with her fists. He couldn't do anything other than block himself. 


3. He can't go anywhere during his lunch break due to the fact that he has to stay with the adults he's responsible for. Therefore he never gets a break, while he's at work.


4. He never knows when he'll get home. He has to chart, and drive a van at the end of the day, so timing at home gets difficult. 


5. He had a pay cut from his last job, and the commute is further away.


6. He has yet to be able to work with the adults on art projects because some are too low to function well enough to work on art, while others are physically able, but emotionally unable to function on art.


7. We're having to pay into before and after care for our children - when before we didn't.


8. He has to come home and research about his clients for the following day, and work on charting. 


9. Other clients beat up on other clients, so the good clients end up leaving. :( 

He went to help with the clients art show last night. Travis is upset that the clients lack consistency. It's not like he doesn't care because he does. He's not a callous person.

He told them he is in fact leaving. The managers were upset. That's one more person they have to train.

We both think that this place should be hiring nurses and CNA's that understand what goes into the client's care. Let them know that art is part of the deal. Anyone can help someone slop paint on a canvas. Not everyone can be a caregiver.

So my husband was trying to give it a go. It just didn't work out.

His old boss called to tell him that the dental lab was sold to someone else. They are swamped. He is paying Travis double to come in to do some cases before the business sells. His old boss never had it out for Travis. His old boss just really made some bad business decisions. We'll see less of Dad for the next 2 weeks. He's working at the lab, and is finishing his job as an "Art" Instructor that never really was an Art Instructor.

After that we'll see what the future holds. One artist is looking for an assistant 20 hours a week, there's a non-profit that has art classes for kids during the summer, and he models. All those little things are opportunities.

Am I worried about the future? Yes that's a Mom's job to worry. I was worried about my husband's safety at his current job. I worried that he'd get majorly attacked. I worried that our kids would regress because he wasn't around as much. I worried that my husband would hate his life. I'm glad he's putting in writing that he's quitting. I only wish that he would have known what he was getting into prior to getting into it.

Job Pains

This is my husband's (Dad's) official first day of work. He had two weeks of training prior to his job. 

Yesterday was a bad day for him. I only get stories without names. 

• The 20 something year old person he was working with had a lot of struggles in life. He apparently wasn't treated very well as a child. :( He threw a temper tantrum in the bathroom - banging his hands on the walls. Of course my husband went in to talk with him. 

• While my husband was working with his other 20 something year old girl, the boy twisted up his glasses. Then he couldn't see the rest of the day. 

• The boy had to go in the quiet room twice. 

• The van ride to drop them off was equally frustrating. The 2 facilitators weren't there when the boy was dropped off. They had to wait. Waiting was hard on the girl. She kept wanting to take her seat belt off when they were on the road. You know how the seat belt locks up when you only put it on 1/2 way? It kept doing that. My husband was beyond frustrated. 

• He's annoyed that he had 2 weeks of training, but the training wasn't anything about trying to work with people that have special needs. It was more learning CPR, how to chart, lingo on charting, and so on.

• Speaking of charting...the system hasn't worked for him all week. He's like, "How am I supposed to chart if I can't even get into the system with my password? No one will help me. They look at me like I'm doing something wrong." Go figure that a top person tried to help him, and couldn't. 

• He's annoyed that he was hired as an art instructor, and is barely doing any art. If all of the individuals he was working with were high functioning he'd be happy. While there are a few that are high functioning, many are not.

• He's annoyed that he's not always sure when he's going to get off work. Yesterday he had scheduled to go fix a sculpture with another artist in the area. It was going on 6:30, and he was supposed to be there by then. Next week he has a speech/PowerPoint to give for an art show, and hopes he gets there on time! Later this month I have to be at work for a Portfolio Review Night. The thought has crossed my mind, What if my husband isn't back in time to watch the kids?

We're most certainly feeling job pains. We're hoping it's just because it's his first week, but he's getting the feeling that, that's not the case. The driver said, "Oh just wait until you have 4 that you're responsible for." He only had 2 yesterday, and was about to loose his mind. He said, "There's no way I could handle 4! How would I ever go to the bathroom myself? I can't even drink enough water throughout the day!"

I'm worried about him. The disappointment, the sense of failure when you didn't do anything wrong, and the job loss if it gets that bad.

Sometimes I wish life came with a handbook.

He Got a Job!

It's midterm week, which basically translates as CRAZINESS!

Every student that saves things for the last minute makes sure their work is turned in at 12, expects that I have it graded by 1:30, that way they know where they stand after their exam, and can leave for the day. Never mind that my lunch hour is at 12, and the exam is at 1.

Yesterday I had a student that showed up at 10; when presentations for the class were all morning. She had forgotten about her presentation. At 1:30 she said, "I'm ready to present!" with a smile on her face. I looked at all my piles of work to grade and said, "It will have to wait until all this work is graded." She scoffed, "Ok then." I said, "If you are going to make me wait to see your presentation, I'm going to make you wait to give it until I'm ready. Everyone else in this class wants to know their grade. Be grateful that I'm still letting you still give your presentation." I'd love to push it off on their generation, but I have a student in my class that is in his early 30s, and is one of the worst about turning his work in on time.

Thank goodness there's only a handful of slackers. The rest are great! 

Midterm and Finals weeks are crazy busy for any teacher. 

Even when I'm not working I'm bushed. I haven't updated you on my news.

Dad - My Husband Got a Job! 
I call him "Dad" because someday the boys will read this blog.

The stress isn't over yet. We're now busy trying to find out what to do with the boys all summer. Mica's in 3 camps (Math Camp, an Outdoors Camp, and an Acting Camp), and 1 week of fun summer school (that's with my nephew's school district). Isaak's in 2 camps (Outdoors Camp and an Acting Camp), and 1 week of fun summer school. 

It sounds like we have them in a lot, but summer break is from the end of May to the beginning of August. Don't hate me for this, but I'm so ready for year round school! My kids get bored if they aren't busy. They retain less to. With year round school they still get breaks, but they are more evenly distributed. My parents only want to help only so much. I can take time off - as Dad won't have vacation time anyhow. There's a kid we trust we're going to ask if she can watch them a few days a week. We're flexible with what days for her. If that won't work out then there's community centers that will watch kids, but we didn't like that program when Mica went before. We found that they weren't being watched well, Mica was bullied, and the people that were in charge refused to do anything about the bully behavior. But Mica went when he was only in Kindergarten at the time. Maybe things have changed; the boys are older. There are other community centers around town that may do a better job.

Dad isn't getting paid as much, it's further away. It's much more of a rewarding job! Their full time is 32 hours a week. He'll get benefits.

He's going to start next week for training. He's going to be working with adults that have special needs. He's teaching them art. He can work on his own art at the same time. 

If you've never heard of Judith and Joyce Scott - they were twins. Judith had Down Syndrome. She was separated from her sister, and put in a home. There she stole things. Why? To make art. She passed away in 2005, but her work is now world known. The video I wanted to share with you is disabled, but you can watch it here.

Images found here.

Here's an alternative video that isn't as good:

Tid Bits

1. We went to Kansas City Saturday, Sunday and Monday. I'm still trying to play catch up.

2. I'm going to a jewelery party at a good friend's house this weekend. I'm not going to the party, or jewelery. I'm going to see her. It's been awhile. Do you like home parties? Usually I think they are over priced. In this case I pretty much have all the jewelery I need. I really would like to go to a Pampered Chef party. There is tool I use all the time that I lost. It's called the Mix 'N Chop. Sounds crazy, but I used the heck out of that thing. I used it to break up hamburger meat in the pan, break up cake to make cake balls and to squish berries for making jam. Somehow from my sister's house to my house I lost it. Other specialty kitchen stores don't have it.

Source

3. Speaking of specialty stores, the people in Williams Sonoma were such snobs! We were shopping in the Plaza in Kansas City. They didn't great us, or I if we needed anything. There were 3 people at the counter. It turned me majorly off, and we left. On the flip side the people in Sur la Table were so nice! I bought a few things in there. One thing I'm really excited about is the scrub brush I found! Seems silly, but I can't get the boy's Thermos' good and clean for nothing. This one reaches all the way to the bottom, is dishwasher safe and looks like it will last. Plus they got me a free latte.

4. I'm very thankful for my job. I love the students (most of them). We send a lot of students out into the world, and they get jobs. One frustrating bit is that they are 2 talkers in the office. One used to have class, but he doesn't anymore due to a staff member needing surgery. that's a whole other story. Anyhow, now they are both in the office at the same time. I swear they talk from 8 AM to the end of the day. I look forward to peace a quiet. I teach Tuesday and Wednesday. By the time Thursday rolls around I just want no stimulation. I just want to get things done. How do I, or should I tactfully tell them to shut up? We all share an office. Reading and writing tests for me does not sink in if I have a bunch of talking going on.

5. I had to call 911 for the first time on our trip. No worries. Right off the plaza strip we saw an over sized bag. I appeared to be a camera bag. It was the perfect size for a bomb to fit in it. I called it in. I told them that I didn't know if it was serious, or not. I wasn't expecting 100 questions. What's the street? What's the cross street? Where are you? What's your name? What's your phone number? Where are you from? I just wanted to report it, so they could come check it out. It was right across from a hotel (name given) and was in front of a look out point by the bridge. I seriously was ready for them to ask me to look in the bag already. They must have not been in a hurry to check it out because I kept looking back, and no cops. Have you had to call 911 before? What did you call for?