Dealing With COVID-19 When You’re Unemployed – Part I

The term “social distancing” is being thrown around a lot this week in the battle against spreading COVID-19 like it’s a brand new phenomenon. However, if you’re unemployed, this is something that you’re already used to. I’ve been out of work since August and not only has it taken a toll on my mental health, it’s also been hard on my social life.

Every conversation with someone is a struggle because we live in a society that puts the question “What do you do?” on a golden pedestal. 

“What do you do?” 

“Uh, I’m in-between jobs” is what many job retention specials will tell you is the proper answer to the question but it just makes you feel like the low life suspect in every true crime show. Personally I like to answer with, 

“I’m unemployed and I’m looking for work. Do you know anyone who’s looking for a [insert job title here]?”

It’s a great line because it shows vulnerability and it rips off the band-aid of awkwardness immediately. Two things that really make you stand out right now because we’re living in a time where it is crucial to cut through the bullshit. 

Unemployment is a time where you have to force yourself to get out there and be social because hiding behind your computer screen isn’t going to get you anywhere. I’ve applied for over 50 jobs online and have only received 2 interviews. If you’re craving sports stats right now since all the leagues have been cancelled, that’s a record of 0-50-2. Even the last place teams of the NBA and NHL did better than that.

Jobs fairs can be a great place to find employment but in my experience, they can also be very frightening and humbling if you’re prone to any levels of social anxiety. I recently attended one for a hotel where I applied for a front desk position. As a former broadcaster I initially thought it was below my pay grade but I soon realized a lot of the skills I learned as a radio personality are transferable to the role. So I swallowed my pride, put on a suit (Always wear at least a blazer to a job interview. It makes you look 10x more professional than the person who thought it was okay to just throw on a dress shirt or blouse) and I drove downtown to the hotel. As I entered the room I introduced myself to one of the hiring managers at the check in desk and waited 40 minutes to be called in for my interview. When my name was called, it was followed up with a metaphorical punch to the gut.

“Hi Johnny, we can’t hire you because you don’t have the experience for the job”

“What do you mean? I’m a former radio guy who made a living by having friendly conversations with people. I have experience using and learning many different systems that include input of listeners’ (customers’ if you will) data and I even spent a summer working the front desk for a group of radio stations as a receptionist. Is that not what a front desk person does at a hotel?”

“We can’t hire you because you have no experience working a front desk at a hotel. We have a very strict hiring policy, sorry. We’ll keep your resume on file just in case anything comes up though.”

And then I had to pay $3.50 for parking. 

So much for those transferable skills. If you’re looking for a silver lining in COVID-19 it’s that you probably won’t be going to any job fairs soon. 

Another silver lining is that unemployment gives you a lot of time to work on your fitness. My social life is a mess, my mental health is often strained to its limits but somehow I’m in the best physical shape of my life. I can squad and bench press half my body weight (I never said I was Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson fit) and I can run 5k without losing my breath. With that being said, be careful at the gym because they’re breeding grounds for germs. This shouldn’t be the first time you’re learning about the importance of wiping down the gym equipment after you’re done with it. I’ve noticed over the last couple of months (and I’m strongly generalizing here) older people like to get up early to do cardio and younger people like to stay late to weight train. I’ve planned my workouts to offset these trends to ensure minimal contact with other gym goers. Next time you’re at the gym try to take mental notes about what equipment is being used at what time and work around that.

So what does this mean for finding a job? It means things are going to get even tougher. The biggest issue employers are dealing with at the moment is keeping their current employees safe and healthy from COVID-19 which is going to put the recruitment of new employees on the back burner. That being said, if you can be let go without warning, you can be hired without warning. The universe always balances itself out. 

Now you’re probably wondering when part II will be published and the answer is simple. Hire me so I can write the sequel! My contact info can be found at johnnynovak.com. Take care of yourself.

Love,

Johnny