5 Tips for Job Hunting During the Pandemic

Job hunting at any stage in life can be a challenging process, but during the coronavirus pandemic, finding a job has become increasingly harder. Careers with Disabilities are here to support you in achieving your dream career. Take a look at our top job-hunting tips.

Disabled people may face additional barriers when looking for work. In particular, it can be challenging to easily understand which employers are committed to disability inclusivity and accessibility.

We encourage all disabled jobseekers to browse the Careers with Disabilities employer directory and jobs board. Here you will find the latest vacancies with our disability-friendly network of employers. While many companies have stalled their recruitment drives due to the economic impact of the pandemic, there are a number of companies that are still hiring. In particular, employers in sectors such as couriers, IT and technology and healthcare have accelerated their recruitment.

An abundance of spare time is one positive thing to come from the coronavirus restrictions and lack of opportunities to socialise. Careers with Disabilities suggest using this extra time and using the opportunity to retrain, develop your expertise or learn a new skill.

A variety of education providers, Universities and businesses have created free online courses. Whether academic, vocational or practical, taking an online course will no doubt add value to your career aspirations.

This is also a great time to reflect and build on more general abilities. For instance, communication, negotiation and management are difficult skills to perfect but highly valued by employers. For help with job applications, visit our Useful Resources to access a free CV and Cover Letter template.

Due to the coronavirus restrictions, most employers are prevented from conducting traditional face-to-face interviews. Consequently, virtual interviews have become the new normal. It is important to treat virtual interviews with the same respect, attention to detail and preparation as you would a face-to-face meeting.

There are various grants and schemes to support disabled people in finding suitable, long-term employment. Making use of the financial support available to disabled jobseekers is more important now than ever. Visit our guide to grants and schemes to find out more about the range of education and training programmes as well as financial support schemes.

Many of us are facing financial difficulties at the moment. Unemployment has risen to 4.8% and there are now over 5.6 million people claiming Universal Credit. If you are unemployed, searching for work or working in a low-income job, the UK Government offers a number of financial support initiatives to help cover your living costs. Disabled people can claim:

● Universal Credit

● Personal Independence Allowance (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

● Attendance Allowance

● Employment and Support Allowance

For further information, visit our guide to your rights as a disabled worker.