Riding Out the Pandemic and Recession

The world has been disrupted in ways never seen before. Entire industries and businesses have ground to a halt, countries are only now tentatively reopening their borders and remote working has become the new norm.

As a graduate jobseeker, this may all seem incredibly overwhelming – especially when the prospect of finding your first job is already pretty nerve-wracking in itself!

While we unfortunately cannot tell you when the coronavirus outbreak will finally be contained and life will go back to normal, what we can do is offer you a few tips to help you ride out what else might be coming ahead.

Even though you may be set to graduate in the middle of this pandemic, remember: Keep holding on to your long-term plans to fnd a job, but remain fexible at the same tme. No one knows how long this pandemic or recession is going to last, so be prepared to make short-term adjustments if necessary.

For example, even as you keep an eye peeled for a company and job that appeals to you, you can stll look out for internships, short term contracts, or consider going freelance. These may not seem like stable employment prospects, but think of them as short-term stopgaps untl a longer-term opportunity avails itself. Plus, they are a great way to ensure you continue building and exercising employable skills.

But also remember, even in the midst of a recession, there will stll be organisations hiring. Every recession brings with it winners and losers. Tech and logistcs companies, for example, are doing great. You just have to keep your ear to the ground and fnd out who is stll hiring.

It may take longer than usual to fnd a steady-paying graduate job this year, so you will want to watch your personal fnances! Begin by trimming whatever expenses you do not need. Look through your expenses to find hidden ones you can do away with or start fnding creatve ways to encourage yourself to save.

You can also turn to a number of free apps to help you plan your finances. Some suggestions include Pocket Expense, Household Account Book and Spendee.

As a rule, try to plan for blocks of three months at any one point in time. Forecast your essential expenses for the next three months to the best of your ability, and do your best to ensure you have enough savings on hand to cover those.

Our bodies may be stuck at home most of the tme, but that does not mean our minds have to be! Make use of your school’s webinars and virtual events, or take offered online classes to upskill yourself.

Atend virtual events organised by your university to engage with employers during this tme. These are fantastic ways to grow your professional network and stay in touch with what is going in the industries of your choice – all from the comfort of your own couch.

Subscribe to your dream employers’ graduate mailing lists or social media feeds so that you will be alerted of any online events they will be having, or check in with your careers services centre to see if they know of any upcoming ones.

Last but not least, remember to take care of yourself. With looming graduation dates, a recession and everything else in between clogging up our to-do lists and newsfeeds, it can really be a lot to handle all at once.

Look out for signs that you are developing anxiety. These include: Fatgue, difculty sleeping, feeling helpless and having trouble just managing what is presently on your plate because worries about your future keep distractng you.

Remember that anxiety is a normal response to the uncertainties we are all facing during this time. Everyone is in the same boat, afer all. The key is not to let it overwhelm you by overthinking what may lie ahead, but to focus on what you can do each day – one step at a time. Focus your energy on what you can accomplish today and now, and let tomorrow’s worries be for tomorrow. Rinse and repeat from there.

Still, if the anxiety feels too much for you to handle alone, there is nothing wrong with seeking advice. Talk to your university counsellor and your career coach. A fresh perspectve may be just what you need to keep yourself on track mentally and emotonally.

At the same tme, try taking up new hobbies or make tme each day to do the things you enjoy, like playing online games with friends. You are more than just your job search. When all is said and done, this pandemic and its turmoil will pass. But you will remain – stronger, more resilient, and beter-equipped than ever for your dream career.