We Won't Be Spending Time in Person - Some Ways to Cope

Yup. Things are weird. Downright... spooky, almost. Sort of feels like the scene from The Simpsons, during the teacher strike. Marge looks out the window late at night to see Bart outside. Marge: "There's something about flying a kite at night that's so unwholesome", Bart (from down below, creepy voice): "Hello Mother Dear".

It's... off. That said, it's also the hand we're holding. Only don't hold hands - that was meant to imply cards, a metaphor. Which, as you think about it, are also deadly now since the dealer might have the virus. Drat.

We adapt. We have to. Our working format has changed, but we keep moving. Brad Cook, VP of Global Talent Acquisition at Intuitive, shared his thoughts with us: "Like most, our company has moved to all WFH where we can, and interviewing via video." Others have pointed to a similar situation, making do as they can. A funny line from Facebook this morning (not mine): "My pajama pants match my oxford!" There are numerous groups working to help us talk and share best practices. Some resources from your peers are:

• New to remote working? NPR has a fantastic piece on how to handle it. 
• Want to brush up your skills, get a certification? Recruiter.com is offering a free SHRM certified course you can take advantage of.
• Workology is hosting an ongoing series to keep your skills sharp, and - importantly - stay positive.
• Richard Mosely of Universum is holding webinars on how to make it through a downturn.
• Interested in where we're heading? LeagGen is holding a series of chats to discuss the issue.
  As Brad Cook said to us: "With the COVID-19 situation it will further strengthen the case for looking at how the “Future of Work” movement will change our talent pools and approach. Conducting interviews via digital technology is just the first step. Looking at how both parties (employer & candidate) can evaluate each other remotely will be the next frontier."
• Need to vent, had a (virtual) beer with friends? RecTech Media's holding virtual happy hours.
• Just need a group to hang with? "Batman" Mike Cohen has an open Zoom going, wander in and say hi.

*We will keep adding to this list, and republish/ edit as needed.

If You're Going Through Hell, Keep Going

Transformation is inevitable. Just, sometimes, a catalytic moment arrives. Jeff Newman - who's knowledge of history & offbeat culture is only defeated by his knowledge of sourcing - framed it like this: "I'm saying, in life you go through many tunnels. You come through, but it changes you. Things are going to be different 365 days from today in ways we cannot imagine... bubonic plague ended feudalism. Spanish flu changed the dynamic of developing nations and began the end of imperialism."

But, thing is? It keeps going. Life keeps going. It's on us to control the direction, as best we can.

As Jeremy Roberts shared on Twitter recently:

That pretty much sums it up. Keep going. We'll be here, helping as much as we can.