It’s no secret that the COVID-19 crisis has negatively impacted the economy. With so many people out of work after layoffs or furloughs, it can be frustrating to figure out how to get back on the horse with a pandemic still raging across the country. Before you panic, consider how you can update your resume after a lay off to demonstrate why a new employer would want to hire you.
Lay Off vs. Furlough
In the simplest terms, when an employee is laid off from a job, they’re completely separated from their employer. But an employee who has been furloughed remains an employee at the company with reduced or eliminated hours but with the intention to return when the furlough is lifted. In both cases, you may be looking for new work in the period when you’re unemployed. This is true even with furloughs since the situation can be uncertain.
Focus on Your Accomplishments
When rewriting your resume, it is much more important that you focus on your professional accomplishments than the circumstances of your job search. Employers want to see people who are going to be a good match for their company, regardless of their current employment status. Create a statement at the top of your resume that shows employers how you excel and are successful in your work.
How to Handle Dates of Employment
If you’ve been laid off from your most recent job for any reason, make sure the dates of employment reflect your last day working. In most cases, you can simply put the month and year. Especially in today’s job climate, it won’t be unusual for job seekers to have a gap in employment in recent months. If you’ve been furloughed, you can have your most recent dates of employment reflect “to present.”
Consider the Role of Your Cover Letter
Job seekers have always struggled with how to communicate a layoff or furlough situation to a potential employer. The place for that is not the resume but instead to focus on your cover letter. When you submit a resume, whether it’s through email or an online application process, include a semi-formal letter introducing yourself. Here is where you can mention something like, “Due to the COVID-19 crisis, I was recently laid off.”
Are you Looking for Work After a layoff or Furlough?
NRI Staffing wants to talk to you about your skills and career goals. They are currently hiring healthcare, administrative, legal, and accounting professionals across DC. Apply online today or call to speak to a recruiter.
