Since the UK has been in lockdown, we’ve been asking you to tell us what how you are and how your job search has been affected. Here’s what we’ve found…

We want to use this blog to discuss some of the answers that you have given us regarding COVID-19 and how it has affected you. We will also discuss how your answers have changed throughout the lockdown and why this could be.

We asked you: Do you think the current national health situation (COVID-19) has affected how you'll search for opportunities?

In the week after lockdown was announced, 73% of you thought it would. After 6 weeks of the lockdown, this number grew to 76%.

There are a lot of you that are quite concerned about how to you can search for opportunities, and this has increased slightly as lockdown has gone on. We think this is because at first the situation was new to everyone but as the weeks pass, we’re getting to see more of the effects that the changes are having on jobs and employment. We want to reassure you that there are new opportunities going on the GetMyFirstJob website every week and you can continue to search for them as you have always done. Many companies in industries such as telecommunications, healthcare and logistics are hiring more candidates like you than ever.

We asked you: How has COVID-19 affected how you'll search for opportunities?

In the week after the lockdown was announced,

52% of you said “I don't know where to look now”

22% of you said “I can't find the job I was going to apply for”

37% of you said “I think I'm going to wait until everything is back to normal”

After 6 weeks of the lockdown,

67% of you said “I don't know where to look now”

34% of you said “I can't find the job I was going to apply for”

26% of you said “I think I'm going to wait until everything is back to normal”

What’s interesting with this is that more of you are now actively searching for opportunities rather than waiting for things to go back to normal, as most of us are pretty sure this is the new normal. However, it is clear to see that because more of you are searching for more jobs that you’re starting to realise that there are fewer jobs available and they’re probably more difficult to come across. We want to let you know that we are still seeing employers actively recruiting apprentices up and down the country. These numbers are still growing and more clients are coming on board with us every week. Patient and consistent searching on the GetMyFirstJob website will allow you to interact with these roles as them come on board. However, if you’re not able to find the job you wanted to apply for, look at similar job descriptions and really try and identify what you can apply for. You can also spend the time updating your profile or CV to make sure you really stand out to employers – here is our CV guide and template!

We asked you: Do you think employers could do something different to help you out?

In the week after lockdown was announced, 57% thought that they could. After 6 weeks of the lockdown, 50% thought that they could.

For most of us, government guidelines are influencing our day to day lives, the activities we can take part in and the ways in which we normally shop for food. For businesses, this is the same. The ways in which they can now operate have been changed – potentially for good – and that means the ways in which they communicate, and hire will have changed too. For many companies, the effects on their day to day life are still a little uncertain. We have recently been in discussion with many of these businesses through virtual meetings and discussions, where they have been sharing their challenges, their thoughts and their plans. Through these conversations, we plan to provide you with the relevant information you need to continue your career planning and searching and make this process as easy and stress-free as possible for you!

We asked you: Are you feeling worried or anxious about COVID-19?

In the week after lockdown was announced, 67% of you said yes. After 6 weeks of the lockdown, 63% said yes.

We know that a lot of you are still worried about COVID-19, however this number is starting to go down, which is really positive. We all know that there isn’t very much that anyone can do and for some knowing that is reassuring and for others that can bring on a different wave of anxiety. Don’t forget that we have written a blog that discusses how to manage your stress and anxiety and there is a lot of other support out there to try and help you during this difficult time. We, as a company and as people like to talk to each other regularly to discuss how we feel. Have you tried calling friends and family to do the same?

We asked you: What can we do to help you feel less worried?

In the week after the lockdown was announced,

6% of you said “Do nothing”

43% of you said “Tell me if anything is going to change

52% of you said “Keep us updated with what employers are doing”

20% of you said “Help us do school, college or uni work from home”

43% of you said “Help us to continue as normal and apply for jobs”

50% of you said “Tell us how the interviews and job applications could change”

42% of you said “Give us tips on how to keep positive at the moment”

After 6 weeks of the lockdown,

3% of you said “Do nothing”

27% of you said “Tell me if anything is going to change”

62% of you said “Keep us updated with what employers are doing”

17% of you said “Help us do school, college or uni work from home”

59% of you said “Help us to continue as normal and apply for jobs”

69% of you said “Tell us how the interviews and job applications could change”

45% of you said “Give us tips on how to keep positive at the moment”

During lockdown it’s safe to say that all of our priorities have changed. Quite quickly, baking essentials, tracksuits and virtual quizzes have become incredibly important and while using our car and shaving are nowhere near as important as they should be… It’s clear to see that this has also changed what you’re expecting from us and how we can help you. More of you want to know what employers are going and more of you want to know how interviews and job applications could change and how to stay positive at the moment. We want to let you know that we have listened to you and you may find the following blogs useful:

  • Making the most of your time in isolation
  • Phone interviews: Advice & Tips
  • Video interviews: Advice & Tips
  • Will COVID-19 change the application process?
  • Advice & Tips