Contact Us
Monday-Friday: 10 am–12 pm and 1–4 pm
Contact:
Fernando, Gihan S
Assistant Vice Provost
Butler Pavilion, Room 5th Floor on a map
Career Center 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016-8033-8011 United StatesCareer Planning during COVID-19
Job and internship searching can be stressful at any time, but the uncertainties of an on-going global pandemic can make this process seem even more daunting. Every aspect of the job search, including networking, interviewing, and negotiating, now takes place online. This page features a collection of the latest advice and resources to help you adapt your efforts for an entirely virtual job search. There are jobs out there and we are here to help you find them.
Your COVID-19 Career Planning “To Do” List
Learn how to focus your job search below and review the resources on this page for the latest advice and resources to help you adapt your efforts for a virtual job search.
Organize Yourself
Treat job searching as a full-time job. Find a quiet place or time where you can focus on your work with limited interruptions. Develop a routine or schedule based around your most productive time of day. Break down your job search into smaller manageable tasks to reduce your stress and increase your productivity. Keep track of your work and make plans to contact/follow up with people in your network.
Adapt Your Plans
You can still work on your “Plan A”, but you should also develop back-up plans (yes, more than one). These plans may not represent your ideal career goals, but they can help develop your skills and eventually find your path back to Plan A. If the organizations or sectors you are interested in are not hiring right now, explore the industries that are.
Meet with an Advisor
There are jobs and internships out there, and we are here to help you find and apply to them! Schedule an appointment with a career advisor, stop by express appointments, or attend a virtual drop-in with a Peer Advisor. We are eager to bring you personalized career advice and coaching.
Continue Learning & Skill Building
As you search for an internship or job, explore other ways to build your skills and experiences. Consider micro internships and the gig economy. Pursue service learning or volunteer opportunities. Take free online courses through LinkedIn Learning (access through the AU Portal) or external platforms. Take advantage of AU’s free training resources, such as OIT’s Technical Training Workshops and CTRL’s Research Software Workshops.
Build (Virtual) Job Search Skills
Learn best practices for virtual interviewing and working remotely, while building your foundational job search skills. Knowing how to network, find jobs, brand yourself, tailor resumes and cover letters, and interview is essential for conducting a successful job search at any time.
Build Relationships
In-person networking may be on hold, but you can use virtual platforms to build authentic relationships with working professionals and AU alumni. Identify people who have jobs you want or who work at organizations you are interested in. Contact them to request virtual informational interviews.
Attend Employer Events
Connect with hiring organizations that are actively recruiting AU students through our online Upcoming Events calendar (see below). Attend virtual fairs and information sessions to connect with representatives and demonstrate your interest in their organizations.
Virtual Job Search Advice
In addition to the pieces below, check out the Muse's Work and COVID-19 page as well as LinkedIn's weekly Get Hired newsletter for articles on networking, job searching, remote work, and interviewing during the pandemic. Hiring on Handshake gets updated periodically.
Protect Yourself Against Scams
Scammers are always looking for new ways to trick people, and they can be difficult to detect. Review the links below to learn the telltale signs of a fraudulent job post or scam. If you ever have any questions, please consult the Career Center on how to proceed.
Job & Internship Searching
The 3 Must-Haves on Your Handshake Profile
33 Best Job Search Websites to Use in 2021 (4/7/21)
How to Get a Remote Job: Make These Changes to Your Résumé, Cover Letter & LinkedIn (11/13/20)
5 Strategies for Reinventing Your Career in Uncertain Times (11/13/20)
The New Rules for Landing a Job in the Covid Era (9/2/20)
Resume Quiz To See If Employers Will Respond To Your Resume(6/9/20)
Coronavirus hiring: How recruiters are selecting and interviewing job candidates during the pandemic (5/24/20)
College grads: Navigating the job market during coronavirus (5/20/20)
Recruiters Share 9 Mistakes Job Seekers Are Making Amid The Coronavirus Pandemic(4/20/20)
10 Ways To Launch A Successful Job Search Amid Coronavirus (4/1/20)
Keep Your Job Search Active During COVID-19 (3/25/20)
Finding your first job in the coronavirus economy: A career coach's 5-step guide for recent grads (3/23/20)
9 Job Search Tips for International Students in the Age of Coronavirus (3/20/20)
Here’s what to do if you’ve been laid off or furloughed (3/19/20)
Networking
How to Network on LinkedIn - 7 Proven Tips for 2022 (1/4/22)
How to Make Virtual Networking Less Cringey (With Real-Life Examples to Help)
How to use your network to survive a bad job market (7/31/20)
4 Tips To Help You Send More Effective Networking Emails (4/26/20)
8 smart ways to keep networking while you’re stuck at home (4/6/20)
5 Tips for Virtual Networking (4/1/2020)
Coronavirus And Your Career: How to Effectively Network During A Quarantine (3/18/20)
Remote Interviewing
11 questions you should always ask a recruiter (4/6/21)
How candidates are using background props to stand out in video interviews (9/8/20)
How to Nail a Job Interview — Remotely (6/22/20)
You’ve secured a virtual interview. Now, land the job with these tips (6/3/20)
Conducting virtual interviews? 6 easy body language tips (5/29/20)
How to Ace the Virtual Interview (4/22/20)
5 things you must do to have a successful job interview on video during the COVID-19 outbreak (3/19/20)
Video Interview Guide: Tips for a Successful Interview (3/19/20)
Virtual Interviewing: Strategies and Tips for Employees and Employers (10/18/16)
Working Remotely
Curated list of LinkedIn Learning videos on working remotely (Handshake sign-in required)
How to work with people who aren’t good at working remotely (8/17/20)
How to Succeed in Your Office Job When There Is No Office (6/21/20)
3 ways to make your boss notice you even while working from home during coronavirus quarantine (4/13/20)
The Five Things You Need To Know To Maintain Your Visibility During Remote Working (4/5/20)
Remote Work Dictionary (3/20/20)
Academic Research Proves 8 Skills Critical To Work-From-Home Success (3/19/20)
How to Find and Get Hired for a Remote Job (4/1/19)
The Virtual Work Skills You Need — Even If You Never Work Remotely (10/5/18)
Self Care in the Job Search
Burnout put me in the hospital. This is what I learned about healthy work-life balance
This is the exact type of break you should be taking when working from home (12/7/20)
How to intentionally build break times into your workday (9/16/20)
How To Stay Positive During A Long And Exhausting Job Search (8/17/20)
How to lift your mood during the long-haul of remote work (8/10/20)
Handling the stress of job searching during these uncertain times (6/15/20)
How to stay productive during the COVID-19 pandemic (5/5/20)
Maximizing your energy during COVID-19 (4/13/2020)
Virtual Job Search Resources
We recommend LinkedIn’s Workforce Insights newsletter for weekly insights about the US economy and today’s job outlook, powered by LinkedIn’s unique data resources.
Remote Job Board Information
Personal Budgeting & Finance
American University Financial Aid's Financial Literacy Resources
Curated list of LinkedIn Learning videos on financial literacy (Handshake sign-in required)
AAUW Online Salary Negotiation Workshop
Understand Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Plans
4 tips for negotiating your salary and other benefits during the pandemic (10/12/20)
How to negotiate a pay raise in a pandemic (6/26/20)
Managing money as a job seeker during this difficult time (4/20/20)
8 Financial Tips for Young Adults (4/5/20)
Student Loan Servicers: Who They Are and What They Do (3/25/20)
Top Free Online Financial Planning Calculators (11/20/19)
Breakdown on Average Monthly Household Expenses (10/17/19)
Personal Monthly Budget Template (10/17/19)
Strategies for Budgeting and Saving Money (6/25/19)
Is Income-Driven Repayment Right for You? (4/19/2019)