On a normal day, job searching can be daunting. During a global pandemic, it feels near impossible. When I graduated from University of Northern Iowa in 2016, I was optimistic that I was about to start a career at a nonprofit organization, and be on the pathway to being a successful nonprofit professional. However, sometimes life takes a different path, and in the past four years I’ve worked for nonprofits, youth centered small businesses, and been self employed as a private nanny.
It’s not that I haven’t been successful per se, it’s just that my past few jobs have been out of necessity, and not in the nonprofit sector. I moved to Texas seeking new opportunities in a new state just a month or so before COVID-19 hit the United States. I went from having so many exciting opportunities in the DFW area, to having hiring freezes hit the workforce and scrambling to find an income. That’s how I became a private nanny, and while I always have enjoyed working for youth- I craved working with an organization to make a difference.
Upon securing the fellowship this fall, I moved back to Des Moines-- I had lived in Des Moines for a year before I moved to Texas,, but I was still new to the nonprofit sector there. I realized quickly that I had little to no network of support professionally and needed to network to try and get to know my local community and find a permanent full time position after the conclusion of my fellowship. I had networked in the past, and had learned a lot of tips and tricks for networking in college; but that was a pre-covid world. One of my self identified strengths is relationship building, but now I was playing by COVID-19 rules and felt like I didn’t know how to connect with people through Zoom and short-- masked, socially distant conversations.
It can be challenging to think outside of the box that you’ve been taught in- and now so many professionals were being forced to do just that. With so many things on Zoom it can be hard to be the new person, and have purposeful and meaningful interactions.I quickly realized that I would have to put myself out there more and try to follow up with anyone I “met” over Zoom or in person at a distance. I’m privileged in my fellowship- given that my organization is well known, and my executive director has introduced me to so many people on the state board, and everytime I met someone over Zoom I would then follow up and add them to my LinkedIn. While I’ve been interviewing for jobs I’ve add my interviewers, even if I didn’t get the position. In our building, I’ve tried to make a point of getting to know the people I do see. Even bringing in halloween candy bags for people I don’t know very well, just to be able to get some kind of conversation going. Trying to go the extra mile to make an impression while trying to stay safe is an interesting dance to say the least, but it’s not impossible. Slowly, I’ve been expanding my network- waving at people from a distance, and trying to send things in the mail.
“Don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and attempt to put yourself out there.”
During my job search I have frequently kept in contact with my supervisors, letting them know what I am applying for. My supervisor has been wonderful with reaching out to her own network when I’m applying for positions and seeing if anyone has openings or knows someone within the organization. Due to this, I’ve been able to secure interviews and more information about positions. Just my affiliation with FLIA has been helpful in finding new opportunities and thinking outside the box of the job search process. Searching for a position during Covid-19 has definitely been additionally stressful, but not impossible- even though it felt that way sometimes. I realized that you just have to keep trying, and be open to new opportunities or positions that you maybe didn’t see yourself in at first. Don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and attempt to put yourself out there.