You’re newly looking for a job. Lots of people are going to tell you that looking for a job is hard work, that it’s a full-time job, that it’s going to be even harder now with the pandemic. 

It doesn’t have to be hard. It isn’t healthy to do it as a full-time job. Yes, the pandemic throws a wrench into the works. The pandemic means that it’s different. 

Here are some of the smartest things you can do:

Don’t be hard on yourself. That won’t help anyone!

Do be disciplined. Make a schedule to help you stay on track. Keep showing up. Keep an open mind. Keep trusting the process. Keep in touch with someone who has a positive outlook on life.

Don’t get lots of advice. 

But take this advice: Learn more about work, learn more about how to read job descriptions, learn about your skills and strengths, learn more about what you enjoy doing.

Do try things. The best way to find out what works for you is to work, whether it’s paid or not.

Take small jobs, part-time jobs, contracts and gigs. You don’t have a career yet. Learn about what you do well, find out where you have strengths, get to know more about your professional self and the types of organizations and teams that suit you.

Do projects and activities with other people. From classes to meetups to professional associations, the pandemic can’t keep us from working and learning together. Find an activity where you can learn something (that’s always the case!) or collaborate with other people so that you can get to know each other. 

Learn about the idea of transferable skills. Many people make transitions. Many of us are learning how to shift from one role to another, from one industry to another. Transferable skills mean that you have skills like writing that can be applied to different roles. Writing grants. Writing email campaigns. Writing thank-you letters. Or, getting people out to vote which can transfer into getting people organized to work on a project. 

Do learn how to network. A network is a full of social connections that can work for you- for leads and referrals, for information, for friendships, for advice, for support, for job insights, for job offers. Networking works for you when you are interested in people, ask good questions, say thank you and follow-up. Networking works when you are not transactional; you are getting to know each other not getting married on the first date!

Do learn more about what people do for work, what they like doing and how they got into what they are doing. Get curious about what people do for work. Notice what you find interesting. There are many different types of jobs in the world. Find out what’s possible!

Do learn how to talk about yourself. It takes skill and practice to talk about yourself and communicate your skills and professional interests, perhaps an accomplishment, too. Most people are modest, many of us do not feel comfortable being the center of attention. It can be hard to say who you are in a job context when you don’t even know for sure yourself! Practice with a buddy talking about yourselves out loud. Listen for what sounds solid and what’s vague. Get clear about two things someone should know about you.

Get visible. Don’t get stuck behind your devices going down rabbit holes of research and job postings. Go to online events where you can learn and meet people. Just do it. Never mind if the events are exactly in your interest area. See and be seen. 

Don’t focus on problems. Get in the habit of brainstorming ideas about places to look for work, things to do, productive, interesting ways to spend your time!

Do be prepared for rejection. Alas, even in the best of economies most of us experience rejection in a job search. It’s to be expected. It’s mostly not about you. No kidding! There is always competition, there are algorithms that scan your resume for a match. Most of all, there are job search skills – like learning how to read job descriptions, targeting and knowing what you want in a job and interviewing skills, that you need to sharpen and hone. All that to be competitive. 

Don’t take rejection personally. Just don’t. You don’t know how you compliment the hiring manager’s strengths or weaknesses, you don’t know if the person who was hired went to the same school or has worked in the industry for the past five years.

Do be persistent, consistent and patient. Do be kind to yourself when you get rejected. There is nothing wrong with you.

Do things that build your confidence and make you smile. Don’t let being in a job search take away joy in your life. Dance, sing, do improv, walk your dog, or juggle. 

The bottom line:

• Try things. 
• Remember that most career paths are not linear. 
• Take a long term view. 
• Don’t let what you do now label you for life, especially if it isn’t really you.
• Don’t pigeon hole yourself.
• See everything as an opportunity to learn and discern.
• Learn about your skills and strengths.
• Find out who you work well with, what you want in a supervisor, and what organizational culture supports you.
• Find out what really matters to you in a job. Is it what you do? Who you work with? The mission? The product? The brand? The flexibility? 
• Keep building your network.