Changing jobs during COVID-19: Should you do it?

It’s the question we all want to see answered, right? Changing jobs during COVID-19 may seem wild at first, but even if you feel it is not the right time, it does not invalidate that your decision is not correct. However, there is no simple answer to whether or not making a career change in the middle of a global pandemic.

The spread of COVID-19 has impacted many people and companies around the world, as millions continue to see layoffs and reduced hours. If your work has been affected, or if you think that your company does not have the stability to survive the economic crisis caused by the pandemic, or if you simply want a career change, you may have, understandably, a difficult decision to take. It’s normal for you to feel anxious and to think that changing jobs during COVID-19 is entirely impossible. It’s not!
In fact, although the economy is weak and presents challenges, this situation also offers some unique opportunities for people who wish to change jobs.
You shouldn’t put your aspirations on hold, all times are good times for a fresh start!

The secret is to weigh the pros and cons and assess the situation well.
For that, we leave you some tips that can help.

Put the apocalypse aside

We are indeed living in difficult times, but if you really want to change jobs do not give up before you even search just because there’s a pandemic. Despite the situation, there are still companies and several areas recruiting.
Yes, the job market may be a little down, but look at it this way: fewer candidates may be willing to change jobs or careers, as some prioritize job security over their long-term career aspirations at this point. So, more open opportunities for you!

Reflect on your priorities

Now that you cleared your head, you can concentrate on what really matters. Obviously, you are not going to change jobs just for changing, if it’s not for the better, why change? The fact that we are experiencing a pandemic is no reason to stop having priorities. If you are unhappy with your job, you have to find a new job solution in a company that, like Teleperformance, offers benefits to their employees and that will allow you to achieve your goals, whether they are salary, work-life balance, health insurance, career progression, training or even, in this context, if the company you apply for allows you to do your job remotely!
Having those values as a base will serve to frame your decision and allow you to broaden your perspective, helping to reduce the immediate prejudice of changing jobs during the COVID-19.

The area is important!

As we said, not all companies interrupted their recruitment processes, as certain functions can be essential to sustain and increase business in times of uncertainty, such as Teleperformance Portugal, which continues to recruit, for example.
The new normal forced the mass digitization of many services and companies continue to need employees who support this adaptation and/or alteration of face-to-face processes to processes at distance. Therefore, many people are considering taking a job in a different sector, either because they ended unemployed in a sector in difficulty or because the crisis has led them to reassess some of the main life choices.
When you move, choose an area that has adapted well to the current context or a company that can offer you a stable situation and is a leader in the market in which operates.

The world just a click away!

Another point that can be positive when changing jobs during COVID-19 is searching. In almost all companies, recruiters adhered to the video call interview model, thanks to Skype and Zoom. You can perfectly conduct your interviews from the comfort of your home, without having to go anywhere. Which allows you to be less anxious and more relaxed in an environment that is favourable to you.
Try to understand if the company is prepared to also receive new employees at a distance, and how they’re planning to integrate you into the company in an online format. You must be able to assess whether your new employer has adapted to the new technological reality. In addition to this, other factors are becoming extremely important when choosing a new job in this pandemic context, such as the technological capacity of the organization and how remote work will be performed. We give you as an example Teleperformance Portugal, which realized that the work culture was changing even before the Pandemic. More and more new generations are looking for jobs that value the flexibility of their hours and yet give them the possibility to ensure freedom of choice in their place of residence.
The existence of strong policies that focus on well-being and the maintenance of the organization’s values ​​are also important points to take into account when choosing your new employer.