You're certainly not alone..<\/p>\n
So many great work and professional opportunities couldn\u2019t happen this year, or at least not in the form originally intended. Employers and graduate recruiters know that. From talking to them, I know that employers are also pretty sympathetic to the situation students found themselves in during and immediately after lockdown. After all there was such a lack of even the most traditional student summer jobs in hospitality and retail\u2026jobs which can still showcase your employability.<\/p>\n
So here is a great opportunity to demonstrate that despite the impact of Covid on your work experience plans,<\/em> you were actually doing more than bingeing on Nordic Noir or Marie Kondo-ing your sock drawer (was that just me?). Addressing at least some of these questions in your applications allows you to show recruiters that you don\u2019t make a drama out of a crisis.<\/p>\n Adaptability and flexibility:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 How did you pivot to take account of lockdown and \u201cmake the most of a bad situation\"?<\/p>\n \u2022 What examples of adaptability can you give: changing summer holiday plans, getting involved in local community or volunteering initiatives, taking on family caring responsibilities, focussing on getting fit maybe or addressing long term \u201cTo-do\u201d lists?<\/p>\n \u2022 Did you take whatever work you could, however supposedly \u201cmenial\u201d and can you showcase the employability that flows from that experience?<\/p>\n Resilience:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 How did you care for your physical and mental wellbeing? And that of others?<\/p>\n \u2022 How did you protect your work life balance while you were locked down but studying online? How did you schedule your time off?<\/p>\n General lifeskills:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Perhaps, sadly, you had to get to grips with broken contracts of employment, travel insurance claims or Health and Safety policies? These are all important life skills!<\/p>\n Emotional intelligence:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Can you talk about your enhanced self-awareness and showcase reflective skills? What did the Covid 19 situation teach you about yourself, your values and priorities? Did it give you insights into how other people live? How did you re-evaluate your life and career plans?<\/p>\n \u2022 How did relationships with friends, family and other connections shift during this time? What has that taught you about your communication, listening and empathy skills?<\/p>\n Self-drive\/proactivity:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Sitting at a desk in your home office (AKA bedroom) day in, day out can sap anyone\u2019s proactivity and enthusiasm. Employers really value people who can find ways to be energetic in their attitudes to tasks and problems despite being physically isolated. Independent thinking, self-drive and self-reliance are key when WFH; what evidence of these can you demonstrate?<\/p>\n \u2022 What online learning did you take part in: uni modules, LinkedIn Learning or MOOCs? It\u2019s important that prospective employers can be confident they can effectively onboard you remotely if necessary\u2026something that was very widespread for placement students in recent weeks.<\/p>\n And here\u2019s another bit of good news too; it\u2019s perfectly fine to say that you had work experience lined up and that it was cancelled\u2026..perhaps setting out what you had aimed to gain from the experience and how you have plugged the gaps in alternative ways.<\/em><\/p>\n I would really encourage you to give yourself credit for what you have learned, achieved and become this year<\/strong>\u2026even if it wasn\u2019t what you\u2019d planned and dreamed. Don\u2019t forget that employers and recruiters are parents, siblings and friends too\u2026they\u2019ve seen and been through the challenges of 2020 just like you. A positive and mature attitude demonstrating that you are a glass half-full person<\/em> with a creative approach to adapting to life\u2019s brickbats\u2026that\u2019s what we in the Careers Service want to see when you show us your CVs and cover letters!<\/p>\n For more about how to make effective applications in 2020 see our resources on MyFuture:<\/p>\n