How to Land a Financial Job After COVID-19

If you’ve been working from home or not working at all through the COVID-19 pandemic, you may have some very specific ideas about what you’d like to do next. You may be surprised at where the need for financial professionals is growing and where opportunities may have dried up entirely.

It’s important to stay flexible. You may be surprised where you might land that first “big break” in the financial sector. And, while you are taking copious notes and doing all your preparation to line up interviews, what you may not realize is—you don’t have to do it alone.

Think outside the box:

There are many opportunities for work, including temporary, permanent and temp-to-perm roles. Some job seekers are wary of temp positions but taking a chance with the right temp role can be an effective job search strategy. Temporary employment is simply a means to an end. It’s a way for both the employer and employee to make sure it will be a fit for the long term. And, there are many ways to find temporary financial jobs—a staffing firm is a great place to start.

What do staffing firms offer?

What can a staffing firm, like PrideStaff Financial, offer me? First, understand why so many companies trust staffing and recruiting agencies. Companies that are serious about finding talent fast will often elicit the help of a staffing firm. Even companies with robust recruiting teams know they can’t screen and vet all the candidates, especially if they are in high-growth mode.

Companies rely on trusted agencies to do the heavy lifting. When it’s time to interview someone referred from their agency partner, they trust the screening and vetting process that went into the referral and may be more likely to make the hire. Just as the recruiter will do their best to find great talent for the company, they will also be doing the best job they can to help you build a sustainable career strategy.

The other great thing about a staffing/recruiting agency is that they are skilled and adept at helping candidates figure out where their strongest talent is and how to apply them in a changing economy.

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket:

The best way to approach your job search as the economy begins to recover from the Coronavirus pandemic is to pool your resources, rather than relying on one. Think of it like the branches of a tree—there are many branches and many paths on each branch, but they all funnel down to the trunk of the tree.

Using a staffing/recruiting agency is one branch in your arsenal of finding a job. You must be your own best advocate by learning how to build and strengthen your resume, being active on social media, and job searching on your own. When working with an agency, treat them just as you would a hiring manager.

If your recruiter finds you courteous, responsive, professional and personable, they are going to call their best clients and demand that they meet with you. Many people have found amazing jobs because their recruiter believed in them.

The biggest take-away:

The most important thing to do is to remember the long game. No one knows how long it will take the economy to fully recover and what changes there will be in the ways we work and do business. Everything is a building block toward future goals and aspirations, no matter how insignificant the step may seem.

You may need to take a position that is a lateral move or even a step back, but it will give you practical experience that may help you land a position more in line with what you think you want to do. Taking an entry-level job at an exciting company with a great culture, amazing people and opportunity for growth is never a bad thing to consider.

PrideStaff Financial has consistently won awards for exceptional Talent satisfaction. Our highly skilled staffing consultants can guide you and prep you for landing that next job. Contact us today to learn more.