Did you intend to start looking for a new job shortly before the COVID-19 outbreak, and are now wondering whether or not you should resume that search? Or perhaps you’ve been forced to seek a new role due to a change in circumstances, directly caused by the coronavirus disruption?
Either way, it’s important for you to remember that it is possible to find a new job during this time – or indeed, any other time of economic uncertainty or recession. After all, the world is always going to need nannies!
So, what are the steps you could take that would help you to secure a new role?
1. Build your career confidence
Whether you’ve started to feel that you’re not qualified or skilled enough to move ahead in your career, try to engage with any on-line training. We have now launched ZOOM training opportunities once a month.
January – ‘Challenging Twos‘
February – ‘Home Schooling‘
March – ‘Newborn to Toddler”
The more confident you can be about your abilities as a nanny, the more effective you can be in marketing yourself to employers and making the case for the value you can bring to every role you apply for.
2. Be open-minded when considering opportunities
Being open-minded and flexible when considering the possibilities for your professional future is vital at a time like this. For instance, instead of thinking about the next traditional step up the career ladder for a nanny, consider a role you normally would not apply for. We mean a sideways move into a role that could help to build a skill set you may presently lack – a ‘D-tour’ en route to your ultimate career goal.
3. Accept that your career will likely be non-linear
A lot of us might end up working well into our 70s and even 80s. That’s a long time working, so, it’s likely that we’ll need to inject some variety and interest into our longer working lives by switching jobs more often, working for many different families, even working as self-employed.
So, as I touched on above, your next move doesn’t necessarily have to be a step up. Instead, you might step sideways into a family with different needs, or step out to go back into education.
The key point I want to make here is that the next job you have, won’t be your last one. You’ll have many more working experiences over the years, so I hope that helps take some of the pressure off and provides you with a bit of perspective.
4. Reflect on what you want from your career
During this time, it’s important to consider what you ultimately want from your professional life, to ensure you’re making the right career decisions for you. After all, when was the last time you stopped, took stock, and thought about your current situation? Are you genuinely happy with where your career is heading, or the family you’re working for? Does your career feel meaningful and purposeful for you, and allow you to do what you’re naturally good at? What about your skills – are they being properly utilised in your current role? Perhaps there are some skills you presently lack, that you’d like to develop?
If there has never been a better time to reflect on your career so far and the direction that you would like it to take in the future, it might well be now, when you may have a bit more time to think about these things than you did prior to the COVID-19 crisis. The changes that the pandemic has brought may also present you with an opportunity to be bold about what you truly want in your life and career.
Our advice to people would be follow your dreams, don’t hit the stop button. Reflect on what you want from your life and career, understand your potential and how you can realise that potential”.
5. Demonstrate your relevant soft skills
Do you possess the soft skills that aren’t merely in demand now, but will also be increasingly sought-after by families in the months and years to come? Furthermore, if you were sitting in an interview room now, would you be able to provide tangible evidence of these skills? There are certain soft skills that you are likely to need to build on and develop in the new era of work, including adaptability, a willingness to learn, emotional intelligence, interpersonal and communication skills, problem-solving skills, and creativity. All so much needed in any nanny’s life!
So, now is the time to familiarise yourself with your skillset, so that you can be as prepared as possible for the future changing landscape, and steal a competitive advantage over other candidates during the job search process.
6. Proactively upskill to address any skills gaps
If you have identified one or more skills gaps that need filling in order for you to move forward in your career, it’s a good idea to establish a pattern of proactively upskilling, making use of the various related resources out there – including online – that could help you to achieve it. Upskilling now will help to improve your chances of finding a new job by making you more employable and demonstrating to employers your commitment to lifelong learning.
Even for those currently self-isolating, there are various ways to upskill, including reading relevant child development books, listening to podcasts, attending virtual events, conferences and webinars, and enrolling on relevant online courses. Now could also be a good time to take advantage of any training and development resources your employer offers you.
7. Stay positive and look after yourself
These are challenging times, and we are all dealing with different emotions. The added pressure of job searching may make an already trying situation even more difficult to manage. However, it’s vital to stay positive. Remind yourself of your unique strengths and the achievements you have celebrated in your career to date, and have faith that the right opportunity will come along.
Try to be patient and persistent, too; it’s unlikely that you’ll land your dream role after barely a few days or weeks of job searching. However, a suitable role will almost certainly emerge if you’re determined with your search – it might just take a little longer than you’d ideally wish.
In the meantime, look after your wellbeing – your own self-care should be high on your priority list right now. Also try to approach the job search process with a growth mindset, treating it as another opportunity to learn and develop.
8. Talk to us!
We have continued to provide childcare recruitment services during the pandemic and we are well-placed to give you invaluable insights into the present state of the job market, and any opportunities they may consider potentially relevant for you to explore. We’ll help you understand what employers are looking for.
As I said in the introduction, it is entirely possible to find a new job during a pandemic or recession. By following the above steps, you will be able to better demonstrate your value to employers and maximise your chances of job search success in the wake of COVID-19.