OK. Let’s admit it. Resume writers and employment experts agree. Now is a crap time to be looking for a job.

Somewhere between 10 and 15 per cent of Australians are unemployed. Another 20 per cent are under employed and social distancing requirements mean job fairs, in-person interviews, and networking events are all cancelled. That sucks.

But while there are hiring freezes and cutbacks at many companies, there are still some opportunities. Now is the time to explore career opportunities you have put on the back burner in more comfortable times.

 Think short-term. This might sound counterintuitive, given that a career is a marathon, not a sprint. However, we are living in a time when things are changing fast. In this instance, plan for what would be best for you in the next 30, 60, or 120 days. Ask yourself what your priorities are during this time. Is it to build a financial cushion?

Are you looking for a job that can provide a degree of stability and consistency? Or are you in a financial position to focus solely on professional opportunities, with the understanding that finding that right next position can take you longer in this pandemic?

Network in digital spaces. Now’s the time to update that LinkedIn profile, because companies are still hiring, and some industries, such as healthcare, logistics, and those who provide tools and services for remote work, actually have had to ramp up recruitment to meet increased demand.

Because companies are generally not conducting on-site or face-to-face interviews or hosting events, a recruiter will likely turn to LinkedIn to source candidates. Make sure that your profile is up-to-date and that you’ve provided quantifiable achievements in your role descriptions.

Look beyond full-time roles. Being an independent contractor or freelancer isn’t for everyone, but it allows you to bring in an income and keep your professional skills fresh when full-time opportunities are limited. It’s also a great way to network with companies so that if a full-time role does become available, you’ll have an ‘in’ with the company and may be able to bypass the traditional application process.