In today’s market, self-promotion is an alien concept for many of us, but if you’ve been redundant due to COVID-19 there has never been a greater need to think about your professional ‘presence’ and how you are seen, heard and known.
Think about how you can distinguish yourself from others, promote yourself as an innovator, demonstrate that you have something more to give and get yourself noticed. It’s not about trying to stand out. It’s about letting the things that make you shine. Your own personal brand is what makes you unique.
Here are some key concepts and ideas which could help to increase your professional presence whilst also considering how you can transfer your skills to alternative career options.
Planning and preparation
This is probably the most important advice we can offer. Set the standards for your day. Plan and set goals, write a to do list of the things you want to achieve each day. This will keep you focused and give you a feeling of accomplishment. Ensure you balance this with things you enjoy. It could be as simple as talking a walk or catching up with a family member or friend.
CV & covering letter
Part of this preparation is ensuring you have a current CV and covering letter ready to submit when that great opportunity arrives. Ensure you keep your CV to 2 pages and have your greatest accomplishments visible. Try and keep the layout simple and easy to read. Recruiters may be receiving many applications so you want to make it easy for them to digest your skills and achievements.
Be confident and proactive
Losing your job can have a negative impact on your confidence, however you must remember, you were successful at obtaining your current or previous role and you can do it again. The key here is to be proactive, talk to people rather than sending emails. Rebuild your confidence. Sometimes it can feel uncomfortable but the more you do it, the easier it becomes. Try to do this at least once a day and build your network of professional contacts.
Job boards
Within the Food Service Circle, we are proud to pull together multiple jobs to make searching and applying for roles easier, however it is beneficial to also sign up to multiple job agencies, increase your online presence and apply for the roles you are interested in. You never know what recruiters may be looking for. Sign up to every agency. It is important to treat job hunting as a full-time role, so effective planning will help support this process.
Use social media to your advantage
Get involved in conversations about your professional field. Remember to listen and be polite and respectful. This is a great place to promote what you do and why you do what you do.
Comment on LinkedIn articles or even write your own. This platform is a great place to grow your network and professional presence.
Training and apprenticeships
Maybe you feel that you could benefit from additional training. If you look around there are many free webinars or online courses which you can take advantage of. This will not only add value to your CV but will give you additional skills and expertise. If you’ve just started your career or you’re considering a change of career, you may want to think about an apprenticeship. This is a great way to develop your skills and improve your employability. Search around. Look at companies you may want to work with, and contact them about opportunities they may have.
Transferable skills
Transferable skills are those that you can carry from one job to another, which are incredibly useful when you’re applying for a new job or thinking about a career change. The good news is you are likely to already possess many transferable skills either from your professional or personal life.
These include skills such as time management, great organisation, adaptability, problem solving, leadership and team management to name a few. Be sure to highlight these on your CV and covering letter. The more you can demonstrate these skills, the more likely you are to be able to apply for other roles outside the hospitality and catering industry.
There are likely to be many people whose careers or jobs have been affected by COVID-19. Reach out and find them. Share experiences and opportunities. There may be people in the same position as you who have had some successes doing some of the things mentioned here. This is a great resource and if you’re not sure how to proceed with any of the advice we have offered here, ask someone to help you.