"Is anybody even hiring now?"

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Candidate,

10 MILLION people filing for unemployment in 2 weeks. And I believe these numbers will get much, much worse.

Many readers told me they were suddenly ghosted in the middle of interviewing for a new job:

How do you know if the issue is you? The hiring manager? The company?

I mentioned a few weeks ago that one of the precautionary measures that IWT took during coronavirus was a hiring freeze. Many others have done this, too.

You're not alone in wondering: Is anyone even hiring now?

I asked this question on Twitter and Instagram and want to share some of the responses from hiring managers. It's easy to look at the "10 million new unemployment filings" and think nobody is hiring. But let's go deeper.

There are still companies desperate to hire.

Look at some of these responses:

HM means "Hiring Manager"

* * *

Here's what this means for you:

The job losses are the worst in American history. Unemployment is rising and many, many people are looking for work and will increasingly be looking for jobs. It's important to accept this and not convince yourself that things will magically turn around in a few months.

Yes, there are still jobs available — even great jobs. You'll need to cast a wider net, but some businesses are still going strong during this crisis. Some are even booming.

Right now, the vast majority of jobs are ALL remote jobs. I got questions about how to find a remote job. They're all remote right now.

The core job search steps still work. Now, more than ever, the fundamental skills of finding a job are important. If you know how to write your resume, how to create an amazing cover letter showcasing your experience, how to interview (even over Zoom)...you're positioning yourself above the vast majority of job seekers.

I'll share more tips on how to improve these skills, but today, I want to leave you with a piece of advice.

Most people hate ambiguity. They want simple, Yes-or-No answers to questions like "Is anyone hiring?" or "How can I get a job in Seattle if I live in Chicago?"

I love ambiguity. It means that in times of uncertainty, I can create opportunities for myself.

When it comes to your career or job search, this is a time for experimentation. While others are paralyzed by uncertainty, if you take decisive action, you can stand apart.

So embrace ambiguity:

Apply to a company that's far away and tell them you can do it...remotely. Doesn't matter if they say "remote" on their job application. Create your own opportunity.
Think about what skills you're building right now. Add them to your cover letter. Hiring managers want to see people who can create opportunities.
Acknowledge all the reasons these won't work. Mass unemployment means none of this will be easy. But there is no alternative. I'm not blind to the financial, health, family and social constraints we are all dealing with now — some more than others. But the only solution here is to create a plan.

I'll write you more soon.

Send me a note if I can help.