Quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic thrust millions of people into an unwelcome, frightening employment situation. Those who found themselves instantly unemployed never could have guessed that this is what they would face in spring 2020. Still others were anticipating a promotion that has now been put on hold indefinitely.
Candidates for some top positions have found conversations suddenly halted. Without that in-person interview with the Board, offers are not being finalized. Entering the C-suite has been complicated further, as many top business leaders have stopped taking paychecks during the pandemic.
Instead of waiting for a “new normal” to emerge that may lead to a re-entry into the working world – and into that C-suite position – high-level job seekers can take advantage of this time to be proactive in securing their next career move, according to one workplace authority.
“Being proactive is essential for C-suite-level job seekers. This is not a moment to take time off from the search,” said Andrew Challenger, Senior VP of global outplacement and executive and business coaching firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. “Using this time to build strategic relationships will help job seekers stay active and keep them in control of a challenging situation.”