Job Searching During a Pandemic

Looking for a new job is difficult, stressful, and exhausting in regular circumstances, but add in a global pandemic, and those feelings are multiplied and joined by panic, confusion, and anxiety. How do you look for work in the middle of a public health crisis? Should you look for work? What's going on with the job market? Are reproductive health, rights, and justice employers even hiring still? We asked Vanessa, Founder and Career Consultant of Chilombo Global Career Services to answer some frequently asked questions.

I’m in the middle of a job search. Should I pause it? Is it even worth applying to jobs right now?

Vanessa: Do NOT pause your job search! Yes, there are organizations that are pausing hiring and recruiting, but there are also many organizations that are continuing their hiring and recruiting processes as normal or even ramping it up. Remember, going through the job search and application process can take many months, so even though there is no set timeline for when the pandemic may subside, in the age of remote working and technology, you could be hired to start a position at any time.

What's different about the hiring process now?

Vanessa: Some organizations have to pause their hiring processes. This could be due to factors such as Human Resources staff being unavailable, positions not being feasible to start remotely (like field organizing, for example), and/or resources having to be reallocated to address COVID19. On the flip side, there are certain organizations that are ramping up hiring. This is especially common with organizations in public health and healthcare sectors, which may be focused on addressing the global COVID19 pandemic. Different local, state, and federal public health departments and agencies have publicized positions to address the pandemic (for example, the Philadelphia Department of Health is hiring for positions related to COVID19, which are listed on the Emory Rollins School of Public Health Job Board).  Essential services  such as grocery stores are also hiring. Trader Joe’s is one of these companies that is currently hiring (although they are also not offering hazard pay to their workers).

You may see fewer jobs in other areas of public health, but this doesn’t mean that there are no jobs available. You can check out my Global Health Job Database (Password is GHJRG18) for general and organization-specific career websites. It’s also important to note that there are still positions available globally as well. For example, the Public Health Institute STAR (Sustaining Technical and Analytic Resources) Project is still recruiting for their Fellowships in South Africa, Mozambique, and the U.S., open to citizens or permanent residents of those countries. 

How can I network without leaving the house?

Vanessa: Reach out to people of interest via LinkedIn to learn about their path or ask for a brief informational interview. Make sure you do so within reason in a professional, targeted, and respectful way, especially given that they may be pressed for time and working from home.

Use social media to find out about virtual webinars and events. Search using keywords of interest and hashtags. Engage in these sessions by asking questions and sending follow up emails to note your interest. I found out about the 2020 ASPPH (Association of Schools  & Programs of Public Health) Virtual Annual Meeting through Instagram. For a list of Instagram pages, I recommend for Public Health Resources; visit the ‘Recs highlight’ on the @ChilomboCareers Instagram page.

Join online groups on platforms such as Facebook, Linked In, and Slack. There are many professional networking groups by industry, organization, subject matter expertise, and race or gender. Ask your friends, colleagues, or random people on Twitter if they’re part of any insightful WhatsApp or GroupMe chats.

I applied to a job before the pandemic started. I haven’t heard anything -- is it appropriate for me to follow up? When? What do I say?

Vanessa: It may be appropriate for you to follow-up; however, you should use your best judgment. Below is my suggested timeline.

Within 2 weeks of applying:

• You may follow-up, depending on the position. Read the job description and career page thoroughly; sometimes following up is strongly discouraged, so in that case you do not want to follow-up.  If the position states that you’ll hear back within 3 weeks, for example, don’t follow-up before then.

• When you do a follow-up, restate your interest, ask clarifying questions, and ask if any additional information is needed. You do not want to be vague in this follow-up but make sure it’s concise. This might be an appropriate time to ask if they can acknowledge that you understand if things have changed or slowed down because of the pandemic, and reiterating your interest.

After an interview:

• Send a thank-you email within 24 hours, but the sooner the better. Restate your interest, highlight the specific skills you have that are most valuable to the job, and provide any additional information if that was requested. 

• Within 2 weeks of an interview, if you haven’t heard back: Follow-up and ask for an expected timeline. Only follow-up once. If they said they’d contact you within a certain timeframe, wait until after that timeframe has passed to follow up. This is another opportunity to ask for clarification on their timeline and express understanding if things have changed because of the pandemic.

I’ve been offered a position but it doesn't start for several months, and I’m worried that the company may decide they can’t afford to bring me on anymore. Do I have any protections? How can I approach this conversation?

Vanessa: If you have been offered a position, make sure you have a signed contract. If the contract is on hold until they’re ready to have you start, then you may not have protections, and you are free to continue applying for positions. You may want to negotiate any compensation if the contract is broken. You should also ask for everything in writing, and it is more than okay to ask about the funding structure of the company or organization. In the non-profit world, many positions are grant-funded and even say so in the job descriptions. You may want to ask if working remotely is an option and use that as a negotiating tool. You could offer, for example, to start any online training or orientation materials from home (and of course, be paid for your time).

How can I discuss remote work options given the pandemic?

Vanessa: If you’re currently in a position, you’d like to work remotely, and it’s feasible with your work but it’s not being offered, it’s very important to have a conversation with your supervisor and/or Human Resources. Remember you (and your loved ones and the general public’s) health is a priority, not only during this pandemic but always. It’s a good idea to go into these meetings with a list of pros and solutions to possible cons that your supervisor/HR could bring up. Make sure you review your organization’s handbook and policies before going into this conversation, so you are prepared and knowledgeable of what any limitations and restrictions may be. Even if telework is not in your company policy, you have a right to ask about it and advocate for it. This discussion could also be done through a group approach if you work on a team or in an office who all have the same request. Personally, the office where I work created a Telework Policy in response to COVID19.

If you’re job searching, you can ask about remote work options during interviews. It’s ok to ask the organization how their culture or approach to work has changed because of the pandemic. This gives you valuable insight into if and how they value and the health of employees.

I’m worried that lots of organizations will lose funding. What’s an appropriate way for me to ask about the organization’s financial state during a job interview?

Vanessa: I suggest you ask how the organization is funded for projects, salaries, and overhead. You may even be able to find the historical financial history of the organization online. You can also ask if the position is guaranteed for a specified period of time or is dependent on future funding approval; this is often outlined in the job description. Lastly, consider asking if and how the COVID19 response has changed the organization’s scope of work. Remember that if you made it to a job interview during this time, the position is still likely a priority for the organization.

One organization is still requiring that I come in in-person for interviews. I don’t want to take myself out of the running, but I also don’t want to expose myself to coronavirus! What should I do? How can I explain this?

Vanessa: Ask them if they would be willing to have a virtual video interview. If they respond that that that is not possible, then, this organization may not be one that would prioritize your personal well-being. Advocating for yourself during a job search starts before you sign the contract. If they aren’t willing to be flexible during a time like this, they will likely won’t flexible during future personal or public challenges. I do want to acknowledge that being able to turn down an interview carries with it a level of privilege, but if you’re able to consider the long-term implications of going to an in-person interview in the middle of a pandemic, then I advise against it. One of my favorite social media posts during this time is this: “During your next job interview, ask the organization about what they did to support their employees during the COVID19 pandemic.” 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by Chilombo Global Career Services, LLC on all platforms are those of the owner and do not reflect the views of her employer or the U.S. Government. Chilombo Global Career Services does not offer recruiter or client referral services.