For Job Searches In A Crisis, Concessions And Creativity Are Key
For Job Searches In A Crisis, Concessions And Creativity Are Key
By Karin Bodewits
July 29, 2020
Summary
"You can make concessions on different fronts," Lisa explains.
"No, that won't help. Jobs aren't auctioned off to the lowest bidder. But you can make a concession on the job type. Now you want to make cosmetics. But if there aren't many jobs in that area, consider broadening your search to other types of products, such as plastics or glues. Or if it's hard to find work in R&D, you can try your luck in production. Oftentimes this is the very last department where companies cut back."
"We all know the big ones, such as Merck, Unilever, and Dow. We all check their homepages for job openings. Naturally, the competition at these companies is incredibly high. Try looking at lesser-known players in your field. Express your interest while there isn't necessarily a job posting. Follow startup news and apply at companies that just got a new round of venture capital funding," Lisa explains.
Finally, Lisa shares her experience from when she received her Ph.D. during the financial crisis of 2008.
She bridged a year as a postdoc, but the job market still hadn't improved.
The main dimensions along which to consider your flexibility are job type, location, and organization size.
Or you could take on one part-time job and work as a freelancer or train yourself in a new field on the side.
Reference
Bodewit, K. (2020, July 29). For job searches in a crisis, concessions and creativity are key. Retrieved August 02, 2020, from https://www.sciencemag.org/careers/2020/07/job-searches-crisis-concessions-and-creativity-are-key