I am in my final year of college and placements have already started. However, the number of companies who come for placements have been greatly reduced. I badly need a job not only because have I taken a loan to complete this course but my parents are also depending on me to start taking care of the family. How do I go about finding a job?

This is a time of great transition in the lives of people and for the economy of almost all countries. Getting your first job is challenging under any circumstances but it is particularly challenging in times like these when traditional sectors too are not doing well. Times of great crisis force everybody out of their comfort zones and encourage people to be innovative. Trying out new things will be the norm till the economy settles down. At a time like this here is what I suggest:

⦿ Keep reminding yourself of the skills and strengths that you have acquired so far.By reminding yourself of your past successes and the skills you offer, you can focus on how to market yourself to an employer.

⦿ Keep in mind that it is not your fault that you are in this state, the rest of the world is there with you. By accepting that everybody is in this together, you will not feel so alone or guilty or despondent.

⦿ Reassure your parents that you are trying to do your best in terms of job hunting and you need their moral support to get through this phase of life.

⦿ Focus on things you can control. Worrying about how things will change and second guessing those changes is only going to put you in a negative spiral. Instead, make a list of things you can control. Update and rewrite your resume and your LinkedIn profile to highlight skills that are useful across different sectors.

⦿ If you are currently doing an internship, put your best foot forward. Show initiative and willingness to innovate. During a fast changing economy, employers will be looking for candidates who are flexible, innovate and capable of thinking out of the box.

⦿ Keep developing your communication skills, especially online. While most of us have worked on our body language, few have focussed on how we come across on camera. When that job interview comes, you need to make sure that your body language and tone of voice comes across well in a small window. Keep practising online so that you can make a good impact during the interview.