Navigating the World of Work During a Pandemic

Words Oyin Alaka

Everyone has mixed feelings when it comes to finding a job with or without a pandemic! However, there is always something that we can learn from our experiences. Freelance writer Oyinola Alaka tells us how we can navigate the world of work with a positive mindset.

Shutterstock

Speaking from personal experience, after I resigned from my previous role in February, I braced myself for the job hunt ahead. I knew there would be an endless amount of 15000-character answers to, “Explain what makes you suitable for this position.” Thankfully, having been in the job-seeker position before, I knew there was a light at the end of the tunnel. On the 23rd March, when Boris Johnson announced the lockdown, everything seemed unreal but, at least we would all get more time in bed. I mean, going out is nice but nothing tops laying in bed. I was not going to argue with Mr Johnson’s decision. 

After a week or so of being in bed, I remembered that I am still in need of a job. So, I made an attempt to resume to the usual means by which I look for jobs. This was fruitless and I felt defeated. For months, I saw the same jobs that I had applied for before lockdown measures had been implemented. I understood the importance of social distancing but had not considered how this would affect the workforce. Seeking understanding, like any thrill-seeking individual, I looked on Google. The unemployment rate in the United Kingdom, as of May to July had increased. Furthermore, the number of young people in employment had decreased. Naturally I became worried. 

Shutterstock

Like the millennial I am, I went onto social media for consolation. Although social media can be a dark place at times, it can be particularly helpful. I was consoled with the idea that any job is great whilst in a pandemic. Whether you’re in a low-paid job or the highest-paying job, it is truly a privilege to be working during a pandemic. Most importantly, the many who are not in employment are being constrained by the current economic climate due to the pandemic. So, I got a job at a supermarket. I’d love to say I was trying to be a COVID hero but, I was truly scared of being labelled ‘unemployed’. I cannot speak enough about the transition from working in an office 9-5 p.m., to working back in retail 4-8 a.m.… Retail – the industry I had sworn from going back to after my first job after graduation. 

The transition, from an office to retail, takes real mental strength and humility. I quickly learned that I had none of the two. I felt like letting everyone know that I did not belong in Retail and had academic accolades to prove this. Does this constitute Imposter Syndrome? Knowing I could not do this for various reasons, such as it being strange and unnecessary, I saw a real change in my mental health. For the first time in forever, going out was not an option for me to relieve the stress. I had to deal with it head on. My first solution was delving into online courses. Knowing that I did want to enter the Human Resources sector, I instantly looked into courses to enhance my very little knowledge of it. Of course, after completing 3 courses during lockdown, I knew this was a temporary solution to the stress and sadness I was experiencing because of my career position. 

Shutterstock

I found that since I was more-so extremely sad that I could not speak about me being “overqualified” for retail, I would write about it instead. I started a personal blog. Writing, unlike at university, became a release for me. I was unconcerned about the lack of engagement. I just did not want to feel sad about working in retail. When I started, I was excited about the 4 viewers of my blog (I’m pretty sure that all 4 of these views were myself). I also noticed that I was making friends at work. The more I wrote, the more I felt like I could speak to my colleagues about whatever, without the emotional baggage I was able to release in my blog post.  

Speaking to people made me realise three things. 1) Retail attracts different calibre of people for different reasons - from boredom, a second income to insomnia. 2) I was not the only one that was “overqualified” for retail. I found people who had left better jobs than the one I had previously been in. 3) You cannot be overqualified for a job where you lack experience – there is always room to learn new skills. This humbled me. 

Not to sound cliché, I may not have learned these things if it wasn’t for lockdown. Yes, it is extremely difficult to navigate the world of work during a pandemic. However, whichever role you are able to obtain during a pandemic will teach you something whilst adding monetary value.

Oyin Alaka - Freelance Writer