Interview: Find a New Post-Covid Career

BBC CWR hosted a £10 million employment campaign this month to support those made redundant through Covid and I joined them on the last day to chat with Sandra Godley on top tips for finding new work.

As one of the founders of technology company The Emerald Group and West Midlands Policy Lead for the Federation of Small Businesses, I am passionate about being able to give advice and offer opportunities.

Although this was a remote interview, I have previously met Sandra at a Ladies First Awards evening, where she handed me the coveted Woman in Technology trophy! This was a very proud moment for me and I hope I have used the platform to the best of my ability to encourage others into the tech industry.

My top tips if you are struggling to find work:

1. Join the new Kickstart programme. It allows you to try different job roles in different industries with new employers. It’s a great programme for those wishing to try a new career but is also attractive to employers like me who can try out people who haven’t worked in our industry before

2. Remember you have transferable strengths and skills. I have employed many people into technology careers that haven’t worked in the sector before. If something new like technology excites you, then you can play a part in it through a new career path

3. Your prospective employer will look for you online. LinkedIn is a great tool and you can highlight on your profile you are looking for a job with the hashtag #OpenForWork. LinkedIn is a great chance to bring yourself to life and display your skills. Our recruitment system is still mostly flat through CVs and application forms but on a platform liked LinkedIn you can bring out more of your professional persona and allow employers like me to see the kind of person you are and if you are a cultural fit to the organisation

4. Your prospective employer will look for you online. I mention this twice because we will look across all your social media accounts including more personal platforms like Facebook and Twitter. It’s not because we want to judge you for going out and having fun on the weekend; but because recruitment is costly and its important to find a good fit culturally as well as technically

I loved talking to Sandra and giving advice on recruitment especially in how to find the career that suits you and what employers like me will be looking for. Thank you BBC CWR for inviting me to take part!

Listen to the full interview below:

Written by Ellie Wiltshire