FAQ on job search and application during the Corona pandemic

It makes sense in any case to continue looking and applying for jobs. Many companies have already switched to digital recruiting processes and applications are being processed further.

It is worth considering in advance which employers are currently particularly interested in hiring new employees and, if necessary, adapting the search to specific industries. There are industries where currently the chances are rather poor and industries that are doing better.

Despite the tense economic situation, there is currently no cross-sector recruitment stop. Jobs are still being advertised, although some companies have currently reduced their recruitment efforts. At the same time, other sectors are less affected or are now even in particular demand.

You can find current job offers in our job portal in ZEuS and in the WILA job market magazines (in German, access with vpn-Client of the University of Konstanz). A list of other job portals can be found here.

It makes sense to continue applying to all companies that are currently advertising jobs. In the case of unsolicited applications, it may be helpful to check in advance whether such an application is currently considered by the company.

With regard to the current situation, it can be helpful to consider looking into alternative industries if you are unsuccessful to find work in your preferred sector.

Currently promising industries:

    Healthcare
    Wholesale
    IT/Software companies
    Medical Technology
    Online services
    Transport/Logistics

In these sectors, new hires are currently in decline:

    Automotive Industry
    Construction industry
    Consulting
    Finance
    Gastronomy
    Real Estate
    Aviation
    Exhibition, fairs and event operators
    Tourism

Calling only makes sense when you want to ask something specific about the job. Just asking whether the position is still open despite the current situation can be annoying. Especially as the work situation is rather tense for many home office workers who might also need to do childcare parallel to their job responsibilities. Of course, this can also mean that the job is only still advertised because it was forgotten to remove it from the job portal. As long as the advertisement is still online and therefore there is a chance that the job advertisement is still valid, we advise you to apply.

Tip: If you call with a specific question about the job, you will of course also find out whether the advertisement is still valid.

The "corona gap" in the CV will not come as a surprise to HR managers. Of course, nobody expects you to find a job in short time at the moment. You will certainly not be the only one who has such a gap in your CV. So you probably don't have to fear any disadvantage.
Remember that a gap in your CV often feels worse for you than it is for the recruiter. Before an interview, it is important to stay cool and think about what you can say about the gap. The fact that entering the job market was not easy due to the Corona situation is an obvious and understandable explanation.

But of course it is also a good idea to actively use the "gap" for further training. At the moment there are plenty of online offers in all possible areas - may it be foreign languages, IT or time management. You can find them for example in our external event tips, at the Deutscher Volkshochschul-Verband or at Edukatico.

The content and questions of a job interview via video call is no different to an interview in person and you should prepare for it in the same way. To make sure everything goes smoothly, you should still pay attention to a few things.

Preparation
- Check the quality of your internet connection, the volume of the microphone and speaker. If necessary, do a test call with a friend using the same tool as you will use for the interview to make sure everything is set correctly.
- Choose the place for your call carefully. A neutral wall is suitable as a background. Bookshelves or pictures in the background are also fine, but be aware that they could tell your conversation partner something about you that you do not want to reveal in the first conversation.
- You should also consider the lighting. Make sure that you look as natural as possible in the picture - you should avoid a place that is too bright or too dark, as well as one-sided lighting that casts a shadow on your face.
- Make sure that there is no ambient noise to distract you. Let your family or flatmates know that you have a job interview and, if necessary, hang a sign on your door to remind them that you are not to be disturbed.
- Dress appropriately, as you would for an interview in person.
- Start the computer early and close all other programs so as not to be distracted.
- A bonus for job interviews by video call: You can have all important documents ready, from the CV to the job advertisement to a personal cheat sheet with previously prepared questions or information about the company. Also remember to have a glass of water and a handkerchief ready - you should never leave your seat during the interview.

During the interview
- Be present and look into the camera. If it distracts you to see your own picture, hide it.
- Speak clearly and be aware of possible delays in the transmission. Speaking too quickly may be difficult to understand.
- Let your conversation partner finish and ask if you couldn't hear them properly.
- Take handwritten notes if you want to come back to something later. Make sure, however, that you can continue to follow the course of the conversation.

Of course not every internship can be completed easily from home. Some internships work out just fine, while others are not suitable at all. So you should first think about what you want to learn during your internship and whether these activities can be carried out on your home laptop. In general: If an internship is explicitly advertised as "remote", you can assume that the tasks can be handled well from home. However, an unsolicited application can also make sense if you think that your desired position will also work from home.

Important questions in advance

If you have decided to do an online internship, it is important to ask during the interview how the company is prepared for it. Good questions are for example:

- Does the company already have experience with online internships?
- What tasks can I take on as an intern?
- Do I have a specific contact person?
- How does the team work together? Which collaboration tools are used?

Work place setup

Especially in the beginning it can be a big change that your private laptop, which you usually use for Netflix, online shopping and so on, now becomes your professional working laptop. To avoid distraction, you should only have the programs and websites open that you need for your internship during working hours.

If you are not given fixed working hours, set up a structured work schedule for yourself with a fixed starting times, breaks and end. If you have many individual tasks to complete, create a to-do list so that you don't forget any of them and keep your priorities under control.

Also inform your surroundings (family, flatmates) about your working hours, so that you can concentrate on your tasks and are not disturbed during video conferences.

Get to know your colleagues and network

In the home office it is much more difficult to get to know your colleagues than when you are sitting together in the office. Since there is no personal introduction tour in the office, where you can chat briefly, it is a good idea to find out about your future colleagues in advance - the company homepage is a good starting point for this. This way you can already familiarise yourself with who is responsible for what.

Of course, it is equally important that your colleagues get to know you. So that they know not only your name but also your face, you should turn on the camera at least during the first video conference. It is also important to introduce yourself briefly during the first video conference. And it is best if you think about what you want to say about yourself beforehand.

Show initiative and ask for feedback

It can happen with every internship that you have nothing to do at times. Especially with an online internship and the resulting physical distance, it can quickly happen that the boss forgets you while handing out the tasks. If this is the case, simply take the initiative yourself and actively ask for new tasks. Of course, it can also happen that you receive no or too little feedback on your performance. In this case you should also actively ask for feedback.

Video conferences and other tools

In the home office, the physical presence is compensated for with chat functions, e-mails and, in particular, video conferences. Try to familiarise yourself well with these tools and use them to keep up to date and in touch with your colleagues. Also think about the best way of communication depending on the situation. Sometimes a short phone call or video call can be much more useful and efficient than writing dozens of messages via slack or teams.

First of all: In Germany it is not obligatory to enclose a photo with your application. This means you can send your application without a photo without having to explain yourself. Employers are not allowed to require a photo from applicants. However, it is still quite common to send an application photo. And of course, it is not least a means to give your application a personal touch.

So what can you do if you don't want to resign a photo, but due to the acute situation you don't have a current and professional photo at hand?

At the moment, photo studios in Baden-Württemberg are allowed to work despite the lockdown, as long as hygiene requirements and contact restrictions are taken into account. Hairdressers, on the other hand, have been temporarily put out of business (11.01.2021). As long as you feel comfortable with the situation, it is currently possible to get professional application photos. If you don't want to do this because you are afraid of contagion or you want to wait for the next opportunity to visit the hairdresser, you can alternatively try to take a picture yourself or use an already existing private picture. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

Use a private picture
If you would like to use a private picture, we recommend that you do not insert it uncommented in the usual place of the application. Instead, you can attach it to your email to the recruiter separately from your cover letter and resume, for example, and point out in a short sentence that you were unable to have a current picture taken due to the situation, but would still like to provide a personal impression. Even if the application is made via an online portal, you can send the picture to the contact person by email with the corresponding note. When selecting a private picture, you should pay attention to the following:

• You should look into the camera and give a friendly impression.
• You should be fully and neatly dressed, not wearing sunglasses or headgear (unless you always do so for religious or health reasons).
• You should be alone in the picture. Ideally, the picture should look like a typical job application photo, i.e. showing your face and upper body. Selfies are not suitable.
• Think about what message the picture sends. Is this how you want to be perceived by your potential employer and colleagues?

Taking a job application photo by yourself

If you want to take your own application photo, it's best to ask someone in your family or your friends for help who you know, he/she has photography skills (be careful with the contact restrictions). Make sure you have a good camera at your disposal. Many smartphones already take very good pictures. It woud be better, if you have a good digital camera available. Only if you have no opportunity to get professional photos, take your homemade application picture on your own. Here are some tips for your photo shoot:

• Posture: Try to look directly into the camera and adopt an upright, open posture. A smile looks likeable if it is not forced. If you are not comfortable smiling in photos, don't do it. The main thing is that you look authentic and friendly.
• Clothing: Here it sometimes depends on the industry and the job you are applying for. It does not necessarily have to be the business blouse or shirt with tie and jacket. A plain sweater or a plain shirt can also be suitable. The team page of the company to which you are applying offers good orientation in terms of dress code. If you are not sure, it is better to dress more formally than too casually.
• Picture detail: You have a certain amount of scope. The classic application photo shows the face as well as the shoulders and part of the upper body. It is up to you whether your picture ends above the chest or shows the entire upper body.
• Background: The background should be as neutral as possible. A wall in muted colors, for example, is well suited. The distance to the background also makes a difference. You should not stand directly against the wall, but leave some space behind you. Which distance is the best, you should try on your own. Also popular are pictures with a room in the background, but it should be blurred (bokeh effect). However, only experienced photographers should dare to do this.
• Light: The most important thing in the application photo is, of course, your face. Therefore, it should be well lit and not cast any shadows.- Research and try out: Look at different application photos on the Internet to get a feel for how they typically look and in which direction you want to go. For example, photo studios that offer job application photos often have a gallery. Or you can ask the search engine you trust. And then: Just try out what works best.