Building a Successful Career in the New (and Better) Normal: 3 Practical Tips

Nobody knows exactly what the global economy will look like in the months and years after the COVID-19 pandemic passes. One thing however, is certain. Large parts of everyday and working life will change irreversibly.

The phrase “new normal” has become popular over the last year because it accurately describes the kind of sudden and dramatically altered status quo that societies all over the planet are expecting to emerge.

People thinking about their careers are in a tricky position. While economic forecasts are, on the whole, relatively pessimistic, there are also many opportunities. This is particularly true of sectors that have seen growth over the last several months, like e-commerce, healthcare and IT. What’s more, candidates that can demonstrate in-demand “soft” skills, such as the ability to work remotely and adapt to short-term changes, will instantly lift themselves above their competition in the labour market.

In this post, we’re going to look at three practical ways that you can build a successful career in the new – and, with the right approach, better – normal.

1. Understand Trends and Transformations in the Labour Market

While economic predictions and forecasts are generally discouraging, it’s not all doom and gloom. Several sectors have seen increased growth and a rising number of job openings, andindividuals planning a career in a post-COVID-19 world should consider moving into one of these areas.

Here is a quick overview of job sectors that have seen significant growth:

• Information technology (IT) – With the broad shift to remote working and cloud-based computing, demand for IT professionals has soared.
• Cybersecurity – As companies have moved into the cloud, cybersecurity has understandably become a key concern. The shift online is expected to continue in the coming years, and cybersecurity threats will likely become more severe.
• E-commerce – Unable to shop in brick-and-mortar stores, consumers have moved online in large numbers. This shift, however, is only an acceleration of a trend that was already gaining pace. As retail businesses seek to build their customer-facing online presences, the demand for e-commerce professionals is set to increase.
• Digital business and marketing – Use of digital communication channels, particularly social media, has soared. As a result, many companies have re-assigned large portions of their marketing budgets to digital advertising.
• Remote teams management – Many large companies have already said that they will offer their employees flexible work-from-home options once the pandemic has passed. As a result, project managers with specialised skills for organising remote workforces will almost certainly be in high-demand.

The jobs market is subject to ongoing changes. Keeping up-to-date with emerging and fast-growing sectors will enable you to identify the best possible opportunities, and to develop your career plan accordingly.

2. Leverage Alternative Job-Hunting Methods

Candidates who want to find their ideal job shouldn’t rely exclusively on job search engines. Nowadays, employers advertise open positions across a myriad of platforms, including social media, niche job boards and via their websites.

Broadening your search will give you the best possible access to job opportunities while enabling you to build a comprehensive understanding of what businesses are looking for.

Here are three places to look for jobs in addition to search engines like Indeed and Glassdoor:

• Social media – LinkedIn is the first platform to mention when it comes to job hunting on social media. EU Business School alumnus and telecommunication experts Vijay Pravin Maharajan says that LinkedIn profiles are often more important to prospective employers than CVs. Many companies also advertise on groups, especially on Facebook and LinkedIn, and their own social media feeds, so ensure you’re following companies that you like.
• Direct outreach – Businesses will often have open positions that aren’t advertised publicly. It’s worth making a shortlist of companies you would like to work for and contacting them directly to ask if they are hiring. It is a good idea to put together a more detailed proposal for your preferred options to outline the benefits you can provide.
• Company websites and email lists – Many businesses will advertise new openings to their followers and customers first. Subscribe to the mailing lists of companies you like and regularly check dedicated job pages on corporate websites.

3. Develop Skills Likely to Be in Demand in a Post-COVID.19 World

In a presentation given to EU Business School, recruitment expert Dr. Nuria Soler Aguilar talked about how a growing number of employers are looking for candidates with skills uniquely suited to a post-COVID-19 workplace.

These include the abilities to undertake self-guided learning, work collaboratively as part of a remote team, and use digital technologies and cloud-based infrastructure. You should consider enrolling in online courses and education programs, many of which are available for free and only take days or weeks to complete, to develop additional proficiencies that will make your overall skillset more attractive to employers.

Dr. Aguilar was also keen to point out that those seeking a jobshould recognize that there will be increased competition from other individuals, with perhaps hundreds of applicants to a single job. Because of this, it is absolutely vital that candidates learn how to interview well.

Prepare for a Successful Career at EU Business School

Are you excited by the prospect of a career in business, perhaps in one of the sectors that have seen rapid growth over the last year? If the answer to that question is “yes”, then a degree from EU Business School will provide you with all the skills, experience and knowledge that you need to excel in your chosen profession. Now more than at any other point in history, businesses need dedicated, talented leaders to navigate an uncertain and fast-changing economic landscape.

We offer courses across a range of highly specialized subjects, including bachelo’s, master’s and MBA degrees. Students also have the opportunity to choose between campuses in several of Europe’s leading business hubs, including Geneva, Munich and Barcelona.