Panel of HR executives to coach 2020 graduates in job search for the COVID-19 era

Student working on laptopThe Pittsburgh Human Resources Association (PHRA) will host a one-hour-long panel of all-star HR executives who will discuss how to navigate job searches in the COVID-19 era. Specifically targeting seniors and 2020 graduates, the event will be held via Zoom on Friday, May 22, from noon to 1 p.m. Registration is required and may be completed here. (After completing the registration process, a link to the Zoom meeting will be emailed to each participant.)

“Our graduates are dealing with a new business climate because of COVID-19,” said Dorothy Zilic, director of Career Services at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. “These HR experts will provide valuable tips during these fast-paced and engaging discussions.”

Topics to be covered include:

  • How to make your resume as competitive as possible;
  • How to interview via technology;
  • How to evaluate potential companies;
  • The types of questions companies are asking during interviews and how to respond;
  • How and when to negotiate an offer in the current business climate;
  • What type of positions to expect when starting your HR career in a challenging market.

“Students should take comfort in knowing that college graduates have historically been better positioned to emerge from economic downturns than those without college degrees,” said Liz Lamping, executive director of PHRA. “Students need to remember to stay strong, focus on what is in your control, prepare to be agile, and stay positive.”

PHRA notes that opportunities are still out there if job seekers know where to look. Employers might be taking three months to fill an opening, but they’re still screening resumes, selecting candidates for interviews, conducting interviews, and extending offers.

Publication Date

Monday, May 18, 2020 - 09:30