Job Searching During a Pandemic

Spring semester can be an exciting yet stressful time, especially during a pandemic. Usual experiences like graduation and applying for jobs are now a bit different.

Skylar Karle graduated in Spring 2020 with her degree in public relations. While she was ready to hit the ground running and begin her career, she graduated in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, and the job market was limited.

“The biggest struggle that I had when I was job hunting was the waiting period. Just sitting and waiting to hear back from multiple different jobs was stressful. I didn’t know if things were moving along or happening,” Karle shared.

After months of waiting, things did happen for her. Karle is now working for a marketing agency in Fresno.

This spring’s seniors are nearing the end of their last semester, which means the job search experience is approaching.

James Davis is a senior who is majoring in criminology. While he knows the job search might be difficult, he’s trying to be optimistic.

“It’s definitely going to be harder than it would have been I guess two years ago now. But I try to be, you know, glass half full,” said Davis. “At least I’m going to try. And everyone else is doing the same thing that I’m doing. No one really has the one edge up on me because were all doing it.”

The Interim Director of the Career Development Center, Mary Willis, offers some tips to students that approaching graduation, the first tip being: don’t wait!

“Don’t wait until a couple of weeks before graduation to start your job search.” Willis adds, “If you need assistance with your job search, we have liaisons for each of the eight colleges who are counselor liaisons, who can really sit down and talk with you about your career search strategy.”

These counselor liaisons can customize your strategy based on the type of job you want.

For help with resumes, mock interviews, and the job search, students can reach out to the Career Development Center.