What It’s Really Like Looking for a Job during COVID-19
Learn about Amanda Roth, a 2020 Virginia Tech graduate
We likely all have a friend, loved one, client or neighbor looking for a job. At Rhudy & Co., we’ve been spending a lot of time during COVID-19 helping others connect, dream and plan their next careers.
Here are three steps that will give you an advantage pursuing a career (or your next gig) in public relations.
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Recently, when I shared on LinkedIn that I was willing to help any follower think about his or her career, a recent college PR graduate, Amanda Roth, took me up on my offer. After helping Amanda connect with a few of my LinkedIn connections, I thought her story might help others, so here’s a Q&A with Amanda.
Tell us about yourself and work experiences.
My name is Amanda Roth, and I am a recent (virtual) college graduate trying to navigate post-grad life and the job market amidst a global pandemic. Born into a family of Hokies, I received a BA in Communication from Virginia Tech in May. I majored in public relations and minored in marketing and event planning.
While in college, I spent all three summers as an intern. These internships ranged from drafting press releases and monitoring client media coverage at a boutique PR agency in Philadelphia, to compiling media lists and creating social media content at Guinness World Records in New York City.
In my most recent role at Virginia Tech Emergency Management in Blacksburg, Va., I managed all social media accounts and increased Twitter impressions by 120% and Instagram followers by 50%.
One of my favorite experiences at Virginia Tech was planning and executing on-campus events as an Amazon Prime Student Ambassador. I gained outreach experience, posted sponsored content on Instagram, and got a taste of what it’s like to be a micro-influencer.
How has the pandemic affected your career search?
Currently, my full-time gig is my career search.
COVID-19 has negatively impacted the U.S. job market across the board, making my own job hunt rather difficult. Thousands of companies experienced hiring freezes and mass layoffs. As a result, there aren’t nearly as many available opportunities for job seekers like me.
With everything going virtual and Zoom calls replacing in-person interviews, there’s definitely been a bit of a learning curve. As an extrovert who thrives on human interaction and building relationships, I’ve shifted my focus to expanding my network using LinkedIn and conducting informational interviews. I’ve had conversations with incredible communications professionals and gained tons of valuable career advice. Fast-forward some eight months into the pandemic, and I’d say I’m (almost) used to this new normal.
What advice do you have for others searching for a job?
Stay positive – It’s so easy to feel discouraged. Trust me, I know. Being ghosted by recruiters and receiving rejection emails can be draining, but don’t take it personally. Know that you have value, and something will eventually work out. Don’t give up!
Turn on job alerts – I love this feature on LinkedIn and Glassdoor. It helps narrow down your search based on specific criteria such as location, industry, and keywords. I opt to receive daily emails that recommend positions to apply for. This presents the opportunity to be proactive and quickly apply as roles are newly posted.
Develop your skills – Use this time to learn something new. For me, this means tuning in to industry webinars and taking free online courses. I’ve almost completed the Muck Rack Academy Fundamentals of Media Relations course. I’ll be able to use this information in my next job and add the certification to my résumé.
Amanda is open to any and all communications job opportunities in Richmond or Washington, D.C., involving PR, marketing, communications, event planning, content creation, social media management, branding, and advertising. Contact her on LinkedIn.
Long before LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook, Jonathan Rhudy, APR, remembers many PR pros helping him navigate his early career. Now, he encourages everyone to ask, “What can I do to help younger PR professionals?”