Pandemic Takeaways: Leveraging Newly Discovered Strengths
Let’s face it: COVID fatigue is real. After two+ years of masking, isolating, and zooming, we are ready to discover what our next normal is. However, before we close this chapter, consider reflecting on what you have learned about yourself since the spring of 2020. What did you like about working from home? In what ways did you unexpectedly shine? Most importantly, how can you leverage these newfound superpowers toward advancing your career?
In my own experience, attributes that rose to the surface were resilience, adaptability, and humor. Along with being a resume writer and a career coach, I am a full time educator. As teachers, we had to change everything that we did in just a moment’s notice. On top of that, I changed roles within my school in the midst of the pandemic. Learning how to teach remotely and then in a hybrid format was its own challenge. On top of that, I was teaching new classes with a challenging schedule all the while managing working in a school that was under construction. Despite all of these obstacles, I was able to rise to the occasion and achieve a standard of excellence in all of my classes. I felt proud of my accomplishments and of my resilience. This success also arose in large measure to my adaptability. Due to the construction, my office moved locations several times during the school year as did my classrooms. I adopted a go with the flow mentality that in many ways became a survival skill. Lastly, humor has always been important to me, but it was even more essential during the pandemic. Laughter is essential to my happiness and wellbeing, and I often used humor to build community among my colleagues. One year later we are still reflecting on some of the “you can’t make these things up” moments that we shared.
You may be wondering how these strengths can serve you well in a job search. After all, they are not specific, measurable achievements. The examples that I provided might not be fitting for a resume, but they could provide value-added moments in a cover letter or in an interview. For example, sharing how your colleagues describe you gives a hiring manager insights into your personality and your interactions with others. Telling about a time that you faced a challenge shows your grit and determination. Both are common interview questions that can also be woven into the narrative of a cover letter. These “soft skills” are often what differentiate job candidates and can be a way for you to distinguish yourself.
So, before charging forward into what we all hope will be a time without COVID consuming our lives, take stock of what you did especially well during these past two years and how you can leverage these newly discovered strengths in your professional pursuits. It will be time well spent. Remember, you do not have to go it alone. The Right Fit offers customized resume writing, cover letters, practice interviews, and more. Click the contact us button to schedule a free consultation.
