Austin Chamber Of Commerce - Blog: A Candidate's Perspective Of Recruiting During The Pandemic

Austin TX

23 August, 2021

12:30 PM

Description

Press release from the Austin Chamber of Commerce - Blog: 08/23/2021 My mouse hovered over the send button as I read the email for the seventh time. "I hope this message finds you well." "I'm reaching out to ask if I'm still being considered for the Data Science role on your team. I know these are strange times, and I completely understand if you don't have any updates. I continue to be very interested in this role." "Thank you for your time and consideration." I sent out several emails like this in April and May 2020, all to companies with whom I had begun the interview process B.C. (Before COVID, obviously). Earlier in March, hiring at technology companies across Austin had come screeching to a halt as employees suddenly began working from home. All the email recipients had since gone silent about the hiring process, even though some had previously seemed keen to make offers or schedule final-round interviews. I understood the situation: No one knew how long lockdown conditions would last or how badly it would affect the global economy. Many companies were in a holding pattern, gauging how they would adjust. Recruiters and hiring managers were sitting at home, like me, wondering what would come next. I was looking for a job because in 2019 I had decided to change my career and pursue a master's degree in business analytics at UT Austin. As I applied to jobs in January and February, I'll admit, I congratulated myself on what a great return on investment I would soon receive and what a great decision I had made to continue my education. The memory of my smugness stung a little as I proofread my email a final time, checking that I'd successfully edited out the desperation I felt. I couldn't help but wonder whether my hopes for a new career would have to wait months or years longer than I had planned. Despite hours of screenings, interviews, and technical assessments, I had no idea where I stood with these companies, and the prospect terrified me. This press release was produced by the Austin Chamber of Commerce - Blog. The views expressed here are the author's own.