Breaking Down the Circuit Breaker: 4 things you can do at home that helps you in your job hunt
Written by Jovan Lee
It’s been 2 weeks since the start of the circuit breaker and it has been a trying time for all of us. If you’re currently looking for a job during the COVID-19 pandemic, you’ll have to prepare for an out-of-the-ordinary process while keeping yourself engaged in the job hunt.
Despite the increased safe distancing measures of the circuit breaker, there are companies out there still hiring on FastJobs. Just look out for “#FastHire” in the job title and you could start working even before the circuit breaker ends. Just remember to practice good hygiene, wear a mask, and keep safe distancing measures in my mind while you’re at work.
You don’t have to wait for the circuit breaker to end to start working or applying for a job and starting work immediately. But while you’re at home, there are things you could do to help you in your job hunt. Read on to find out what you can do at home to improve your skills, expand your network, and help you find a job in Singapore.
Practice your video interview skills
Attending a job interview in person is very different from a video interview where you’re at home. But that said, there are many similarities, and you should treat a video interview the way you would treat a face-to-face interview.
It’s safe to say that, much like a normal job interview, you would have to put on proper interview clothes so that you look presentable and ready for an interview. This means no interviewing in your pajamas! Prepare and set aside a set of presentable clothes prior to your interview, and go through the steps required to groom yourself for a job interview.
The background of your video interview is important too. You wouldn’t want to have employers looking at a mess that’s behind you while you’re trying to talk about how meticulous and responsible you are. Make your surroundings as neat as you can and test it out on your webcam to ensure that everything looks tidy before you attend your job interview.
Lastly, practice for the video interview as you would a regular interview. You won’t have to practice your handshake, but go through some practice questions and have your answers ready. Read up on tough interview questions and how to face them here.
Take a couple of online courses
Although some courses require you to pay for them, the knowledge and skills that you gain from them are priceless. However, there are courses that are free, or you could use your SkillsFuture credits given to all Singaporean above 25 years old.
Learning a new skill, language, or upgrading skills that you have can help you boost your chances of getting hired. With newly learned skills, you’ll not only be able to build a more impressive resume, you’ll also show that you are constantly looking to improve yourself and upgrade your skills.
With the amount of time that we spend at home, it’s a great time to brush up on our skills. Taking an online course allows you to do just that from the comfort of your home and with the click of a button. There are many career education providers in Singapore such as Training Vision Institute, Gnowbe, and MySkillsFuture that offer you a wide array of courses to choose from.
Exercise to keep yourself healthy
Staying cooped up all day can be damaging for both your physical and mental health. That’s why it’s important to stay healthy by exercising at home.
Exercising not only releases endorphins in your body that make you feel energized and happy, it also keeps your body strong and healthy so that you’ll be able to return to employment with more pep in your step.
Workout at home with your family by doing simple static exercises, or go for a jog or walk in the park (while adhering to social distancing measures). If you’re sitting down for long hours at home, make sure you get up and walk around the house ever so often to keep muscles stimulated.
A little exercise goes a long way in keeping yourself healthy to return to work, so don’t skip out on it. It may seem unrelated to jobseeking but keeping healthy should always be our number one priority.
Stay in touch with your network
You won’t be able to meet people face-to-face, shake hands, and network in person, but with how fast technology allows us to communicate, engaging our network is something we can do to keep ourselves connected. Reach out to family and friends and let them know that you are looking for a job. People understand that it is a challenging time to apply for jobs and would usually be willing to put in a good word for you or let you know if they hear of any job openings.
Sending a simple text would do the trick, or you could call them up for a quick chat for a more personal touch. Don’t hesitate to contact former colleagues to let them know that you are available, they’ll know your work ethic and skillset better.
Continue to talk to people while practicing safe distancing and staying home and letting them know of your ambition to find a job. You’ll never know when an opportunity will come knocking!
Stay occupied and engage your mind
The last thing any of us would want is to be fused biologically to our couch or bed during this circuit breaker. It’s important to keep ourselves productive, especially so if you are looking for a job. Stay positive and safe as we continue to combat the spread of COVID-19 while improving ourselves constantly and preparing for a return to the workforce.
If you’re looking for a full-time or part-time job, download the FastJobs app and follow the tips above to increase your chances of getting hired. Look out for “#FastHire” in the job title to apply to jobs that have immediate vacancies and start working immediately.
