We know you can’t wait for 2020 to be over with. And that in terms of job searching this could be one of the hardest periods to find work. It is why we want to help you with some tips for perfecting your CV in 2021. Given the high competition for jobs in a tight labour market with high unemployment, it is important that your CV stands out more than ever. Your CV will be the first thing most recruiters see and thus filter you by. You’re probably asking yourself then what are the best ways for your CV to stand out in 2021.
Whether you are a recent graduate or an experienced professional laid off during the pandemic looking to re-enter the job market, we have the tips and tricks that will be helpful to you when making your CV. We also have a wide range of CV templates for you to choose from to be presentable stylistically.
Does the pandemic change my CV and cover letter?
The Covid-19 pandemic’s effect on the economy has put several sectors at a standstill. It is understandable that now your CV, particularly if you were working in one of the affected sectors, may look a little bare given the circumstances. If so we recommend in your personal statement at the start of your CV to clarify how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected your CV.
However, the fundamentals of writing your CV do not change. Thus you should check out our CV writing guide, as well as our templates. These are especially designed and customizable by type of CV you want so you can tailor it to your specific situation while maintaining a professional outlook.
What do I do if I have been made redundant during Covid?
First of all, take a deep breath. It is a recruiter cliché, but redundancy happens to anyone. Especially when a natural disaster such a pandemic has occured as it did in 2020. The huge economic shocks mean that, even if it may seem you are being replaced for strategic reasons, it likely has to do with budget adjustments due to the pandemic.
Depending on the pressures of your previous job, you may want to take some time out. However, it is advisable you immediately update your general CV once being made redundant. Add the skills you have learnt and achievements in your most immediate job experience. This is so you don’t forget the exact accomplishments and training within it.
Next, add to your social media, including LinkedIn, that you are available for work. LinkedIn already has a “ready for work” function that allows employers to view your profile and know that you are ready to rejoin the labour market. Use your facebook contacts or your twitter network and let them know you are on the job market. The stigma attached to redundancy during such a difficult
What hard skills will be more valued post-Covid?
The first and most obvious answer is digital skills. Learn to code has been a “buzzsentence” in the West for young people looking to reorientate, and there is an element of truth to this for the following reasons :
- now that working remotely could become the new norm, communication and cloud technologies are highly sought after.
- Product-based companies now need an online platform or app to distribute their products. As such, application and website developers are on the rise.
- The pandemic also taught us the value of data and using data analysis to solve problems, whether in health, transport or other fields.
- Finally, with the advent of digitalisation, comes a new need for cybersecurity knowledge and online security.
Digital and IT skills are not the be all and end all though. You can also look at what job sectors are in demand during this difficult period and retrain in hard skills associated with this job. You can also distinguish yourself from others in demand by working on your soft skills below.
What soft skills will be more valued post-Covid?
Presenting yourself as someone who is a self-starter is now ever more important as companies will rely on you remotely. Your contact with your line manager is significantly reduced and you will be asked to work on your own without someone else looking over your shoulder. The nature of an uncertain labour market also means you can benefit from being an independent who comes in and delivers a service on a short term contract, depending on the labour laws of your country
Interpersonal skills. These might be considered on the downlow because of the lack of human contact in the workplace but it’s precisely the opposite : now they are more valued than ever due to the restrictive nature of contact between each other. Salespeople require particular skills over the phone or webcam to be able to convincingly make their pitch. Managers need to know how to motivate their team from distance.
Many companies will also look at your strategic thinking ability in a crisis period such as this. Given the massive implications of a work-from-home culture and the economic aftermath of the pandemic, companies want to know how they are going to adjust their business model.