WORKFORCE CONNECTION

Learning to Work Online

by: Kim Bodine, Executive Director, CareerSource Gulf Coast

We have past five months since COVID-19 came to location (no background distractions). There are many free, easy Bay County, and with it, the stark realization that to use, videoconferencing software available at your disposal, a disrupted economy was not far behind. including Zoom and Skype, that you can familiarize yourself with. The surge of unemployment due to this pandemic has decreased make sure you interview in a quiet and secure location that doesn’t 1.7 percent from April (13.1 percent) to May (11.4 percent), as we are beginning to see our community members regain employinhibit cell service for your call. ment. However, the May unemployment rate was still 7 percent As you continue your job search, we encourage you to utilize the higher than March’s rate (4.4 percent). Comparatively, the unemEmploy Florida online platform (also available as a downloadable ployment rates for March through May more than double the averapplication for mobile devices). Employ Florida is a one-stop online age of those same months for last year. For the time period March resource for job listings, career building assistance and more; this 7 through June 23, Bay County had 13,429 unemployment claims platform is implemented throughout the state, and the employers filed, representative of 15.9 percent of our county’s workforce. we work with post their jobs here. While COVID-19 has pushed all of us into new ways of dealing with daily life, we have learned how to be productive and safe at the same time, taking precautions to protect ourselves from potential exposure to the virus by limiting human contact and face-to-face interactions. Many of us have learned how to work from home while balancing family life (with family members who are often also at home), shop more safely, and find entertainment within a small circle of friends and family. We have learned to navigate Zoom, and other types of virtual meeting software, how to mute our phones or microphones, and to dress professionally, at least from the waist up.

Job seekers have also moved into new methods of seeking and securing employment. In-person interviews have transitioned to virtual interviews, either via phone or videoconference. Now that some of the workforce is returning to the worksite, employees often have new protocols to follow such as temperature checks, daily health surveys, working behind sneeze guards, and wearing masks, gloves or other protective gear. In some way, we have all had to be flexible and adaptable, which is an admirable trait in our community. We have always found a way to work together, to look out for one another, and to persevere. If you are looking for work at this time, it is important to get comfortable networking online. Social media platforms like LinkedIn are recommended for networking with potential employers, as well as promoting your qualifications. When the time comes to schedule an interview, be prepared for an interview via videoconference or phone. For either one, it is essential to be prepared. For a video chat interview, be dressed appropriately in business casual or professional (depending on the type of job), have the proper software downloaded in advance, make sure your device is fully charged, and make sure you interview in a quiet and secure For a phone interview, make sure your phone is fully charged, and For area employers looking to acquire talent at this time, you, too, should get comfortable with connecting with local talent virtually. Conducting interviews virtually presents new opportunities to connect with and engage in meaningful dialogue with potential employees from the safety of your home or office. We recommend being aware of the potential challenges that come with conducting an interview virtually, whether that be the video conference technology lagging and/or freezing, confusion accessing the meeting, limited service, or any other difficulty that may arise.

Additionally, CareerSource Gulf Coast has resources to help recruit and screen talent in the positions you are working to fill; we can also offer referrals to link you with skilled talent in the local area. Soon, we will be offering virtual hiring events, so stay tuned!

It will be interesting to see how COVID-19 has forced lasting innovative strategies for how employers and job seekers connect and communicate. From job recruitment and interviews, to working remotely, we anticipate some of the formalities temporarily adopted will become permanently adopted processes after we move past

the threat of this virus. For additional information on Bay County’s workforce, we encourage you to contact us. The CareerSource Gulf Coast Job Center in Panama City is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. You can reach us via email at customerservice@careersourcegc.com or by phone at (850) 872-4340. We also have offices in Gulf and Franklin Counties. For detailed information about all our offerings and office locations, please visit careersourcegc.com and connect with us on social media.

Lacey Kennedy

Destination Panama City

Lacey Kennedy began working for Destination Panama City as their Social Media Strategist in August of 2018. She was born and raised in Weeki Wachee, FL - home to the world-famous mermaid show. She attended Full Sail University in Winter Park, FL, earning her Bachelors Degree in Entertainment Business in 2017 and her Master’s Degree in Digital Marketing this summer.

Lacey started out in the live events realm, working for WWE as their social media intern for their developmental program, NXT, before deciding to move to Panama City in 2018 where she began work at Destination Panama City. Throughout her time in Panama City, Lacey has served on the Bay Young Professionals Steering Committee with the Bay County Chamber.

When she isn’t at work, you can find Lacey performing with her multi-cultural dance troupe, the Gypsy Rhythm Dancers, or at the beach with friends. Lacey is passionate about Star Wars and can find any way to include a Princess Leia reference in conversation.

SOLUTIONS THAT WORK FOR YOU

CareerSource GulfCoast is the the region’s one-stop career center serving Bay, Gulf, and Franklin Counties in Northwest Florida. We provide tools and services for both job seekers and employers - all at no cost.

CAREERSOURCE GULF COAST

625 HWY 231 , Panama City, FL 32401 850.872.4340 careersourcegc.com customerservice@careersourcegc.com