Last year will go down in history as unprecedented for many reasons. For job seekers in particular, the beginning of 2020 looked very different from the end. We went from a record number of open roles to record unemployment and, regardless of geography, industry, or experience, almost everyone faced the same daunting challenges when it came to finding a new role.
While a full recovery may still be a little way off, there is an end in sight. Vaccines are going into widespread distribution, and companies are looking forward to some version of full or part-time return to the office. This year, you can expect more job openings, a faster interview process, and renewed enthusiasm from companies, recruiters, and hiring managers alike.
So how can you prepare for a UI/UX design job in 2021? Read on for a few tips and tricks.
Remember that Searching for a Job Is a Job
Hopefully you took a few days or weeks off over the holidays to reset, and to prepare to dive back into the job search. Now, it’s time to treat your job search as a job. For most people, the workday consists of blocks of time set aside for specific tasks, and that should be the same for job seekers.
Try some of these approaches below to help keep you organized and motivated throughout your job search...
Calendar Your Days
The words “search for a job” can easily overwhelm even the most seasoned job seeker. What’s key to remember is you have the power to combat that anxiety by providing structure to your job search.
Put specific time parameters around resume review, job applications, networking, and other job related tasks. Maybe you set aside mornings for job search and applications, and afternoons are for networking, for example. Remember: it’s a marathon, not a sprint; searching, applying, interviewing, and accepting any job worth having typically takes time. And giving yourself reasonable tasks to accomplish in a set amount of time each day can help you feel like you’re making continued progress during the job search marathon.
Don’t forget to also schedule time for breaks—and stick to them! Whether it’s lunch, a workout, or a nap, step away from the screen and take a breather.
Consider Your Environment
Certainly the lines between work and home life have never been blurrier than during the Covid era. You may be reading this from a couch, your bed, or from the corner of your closet. If possible, set yourself up at a table or desk when searching for jobs to mimic an office environment as much as possible. This will help you get in the head space to focus on the task at hand.