The best things to do when unemployed during Covid-19 to quickly get back into work

New data reveals how long it actually takes to get a job – but there are ways to speed up the process, and help your mental health in the process.

FINDING a new job can take months at the best of times, and many jobseekers underestimate how long it takes to go through the application, interview and hiring process.

But since Covid-19, it is taking even longer, with one survey revealing the amount of time has doubled.

Project Displaced, a registered Australian charity that supports displaced workers, by offering free one-one-one and group job-search classes and specialised mental health first aid, finds about 80 per cent of its community has spent more than six months finding a new job.

It compares to about four months when the survey was conducted last November, and just under three months before Covid-19 hit in March last year.

Founder Anthony Cohen, a former Qantas employee, says 45 per cent of its bookings are from staff from the airlines/aviation sector, while a further 27 per cent are from a combined five industries: IT, travel, marketing/advertising/sales, events and hospitality.

“We are really pleased to see that the long-term unemployment forecasts have performed better than anticipated but what we have discovered is that this optimistic outlook isn’t shared by everyone looking for a job right now, and that the enduring economic impacts of the pandemic are far-reaching” he says.

It is taking longer for jobseekers to find work this year compared to previous years.

It research finds 39 per cent of respondents say the length of time it takes to go through the recruitment process is the most frustrating part of looking for a job, while the same proportion say it is the emotional toll that it takes.

Eleven per cent feel there are no jobs available for people like them.

Australian College of Applied Psychology (ACAP) counselling lecturer Dr Timothy Hsi says it does take longer than many jobseekers think to be hired, as it can take weeks for employers just to sort through applications after the closing date, before conducting interview rounds.

“The larger the organisation, the more complex the process,” he says.

“It’s an employer’s market of sorts – employers are a bit more picky about who they are going to employ, and that can take longer than normal.”

While recruitment in some areas is faster than others, for example for a casual role compared to a professional job, there are things that jobseekers can do to make the process easier.

JOB SEARCH ADVICE

Hsi says people tend to crave self control, so when the wait for a job takes too long – especially for unemployed people, who may also have a sense of loss and career direction – they can panic.

He says drawing up a job-search schedule can provide some sort of control.

“(For example) in the morning, they will do job searches online, and in the afternoon, prepare resumes,” he says.

Hsi says many jobseekers just need some help with their job application and interview skills.

“Generally, one of the biggest struggles that jobseekers would have is when they have polished up their resume, they think it’s perfect, but it’s actually not right,” he says.

Tailor resumes for each role, and seek advice from online career tools and career counsellors, if possible.

“Focus on the things they can do, the things they can control that are more positive,” he says.

Hsi cites the example of one jobseeker, who came to him for advice, as he had no idea why he was failing in his interviews.

When the two conducted a mock interview, Hsi discovered he was not addressing questions correctly.

Two weeks later, and armed with more confidence, the jobseeker was hired.

“It just goes to show, if you prepare, you will have all the information and be ready for the interview,” he says.

PERSONAL ADVICE

Project Displaced has recorded a 20 per cent increase in jobseekers participating in resilience and mental health sessions and training

“Since the end of JobKeeper, some jobseekers have taken any job they can find – even if it isn’t the right fit, or viable long term – just to pay the bills,” Cohen says.

“The emotional toil this is having on their own mental health and on the family unit is significant and we fear that we won’t see the full devastating impact of this for some time.”

Tahlia Wesley studied a childcare qualification to work in that industry while looking for work in her dream field, marketing.

Hsi says a conversation with a counsellor, particularly if they are trained as a career counsellor, will be helpful.

But individuals should also talk to their family, ex-colleagues and friends who may be able to support them.

“The whole process can be a lonely process for individuals, especially if they are living alone,” he says.

“If they get rejection after rejection, their sense of morale will probably be very low, and they will probably feel very helpless.”

He says men in particular should look to share their emotions, as men tend not to express their fears, disappointment and stress to others.

All jobseekers should modify their job-search schedule to how they feel, and should not feel forced to be spending all day, every day, on it.

“If they find it’s too much for them every day to be looking at job portals, to be looking at resumes, try three to four days a week,” Hsi says.

“If they find they’re too stressed … go back to three days.”

TAHLIA’S STORY

Tahlia Wesley, 22, spent seven months looking for work after finishing her Bachelor of Communication and Media.

“As Covid hit in my last year at university, my internships unfortunately fell through,” she says.

“This was hard as it meant I did not gain any industry experience leaving university, immediately putting me at the bottom of the pile in my job search.

“I definitely thought it would have taken me at least six months to get a marketing job straight out of university, but I did not realise how hard it was going to be to even land an interview.”

Halfway through her final year, she started studying a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education, so she could quickly get a stable job.

“While it was a lot to juggle uni and TAFE, I was lucky enough to get a job in a childcare … to earn some money while applying for marketing jobs, as I didn’t know how long this process would take,” she says.

“It was a great thing that I absolutely loved my job at this childcare so the more job applications that were not successful, I was able to not let myself get too down.”

Her first job interview was for a marketing role at Kookaburra Homes – and she was successful.

“Very few people get their dream job straight out of uni but the more you keep trying, the hard work does pay off,” she says.

Originally published as The best things to do when unemployed during Covid-19 to quickly get back into work