Looking for a job in a pandemic

Looking for a job in a global pandemic was not fun at all and I don’t recommend it at all to anyone to experience. Having been made redundant in May 2020 I made the immediate decision not to look for a job in 2020 knowing that it would be a car crash. My decision was vindicated from hearing all the stories about working in lockdown. Bullet dodged…

Made redundant. 13/05/2020 – Day 1 of being jobless. No idea what’s going to happen next, take it in my stride. Good time to upskill and I will be happy with contract work for next 6 months or so. What is for sure it’s going to be messy world so good time to get out

— DIPESH SHAH (@mrdipeshashah) May 13, 2020

Redundancy was not all bad, all things considered:

Some stats as its my last day of redundancy

• 392 days of redundancy
• 277 days of working days redundancy
• 108 applications in 100 days

I have actually enjoyed the last 12+ months all things considered. Done more than I had planned. Now ready to go kick ass from tomorrow

— DIPESH SHAH (@mrdipeshashah) June 8, 2021

Now to dissect the numbers behind the applications.

From starting the process on 4th Jan 2021 it took me 100 days when I accepted my next opportunity.

Insights from the 108 applications:

No of applications made split by month:

• 34 applications in January
• 32 applications in February
• 27 applications in March
• 15 applications in April

Deep dive into the applications:

• 47% of applications were done directly on LinkedIn
• 25% applied directly on the website
• 28% sent direct emails

• 61% of the applications were direct which is either a form of LinkedIn, Email and Direct on website to Brand or Agency
• 27% came via recruiters which is a form of LinkedIn and Email
• 12% came through someone I know which is a form of Email

From the 108 applications, there was a 77% drop off or 23% success in the terms of replies back from the applications made.

• 48% of email replies led into intro calls
• 43% of calls led to interviews
• 40% of interviews leading into final round interviews

• 76% of applications I did not receive any form of feedback
• 42% there was no feedback at interview stage
• 75% did not feedback at final round stage

My role that I accepted came via a LinkedIn application, not for the role I applied for.

The biggest bug bear from this whole process is the lack of communication at any stage.

Looking for a job is now a full time job in it self.