The coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown have impacted the economy. Businesses have closed and constricted. But the wheels are still on the wagon. The force of supply and demand has not broken and supply chains are intact. Not only is this keeping everyone in lockdown alive, but it’s also essential to those seeking work right now despite thinking there is a hiring freeze.
Believe it or not, businesses are still hiring. Consider all the companies that haven’t collapsed. Those with online stores or no-contact services are bursting at the seams. Not only are companies still hiring for the roles they needed before coronavirus, but many also have new roles to fill.
Roles Needed Before Are Still Needed
The hiring market has changed and it’s true that some roles disappeared with the employers. But many companies still need to fill the roles they were hiring for before the pandemic. Those hiring for tech support and customer support staff now need them more than ever. Developers, engineers, consultants, data handlers; any role that can be done remotely from home is still in high demand and these roles are still hiring for any company that needed them before or has a new need during the transition.
The E-Commerce and Delivery Boom
Some companies are actually experiencing a hiring boom, not a hiring freeze. Those that provide online ordering and deliveries, for example, are filling thousands of more orders and must rapidly increase the staff making it happen. Delivery drivers are the single most in-demand role during the pandemic because everyone else must stay home, ordered not to go shopping for themselves.
On the flip side of the new demand for delivery drivers and warehouse fulfillment is the demand for web developers. Brands that have never gone e-commerce before are making websites and selling online for the first time. Companies that already have online ordering suddenly need to up their game locally, nationally, or internationally. If you develop, repair, upgrade, or design graphics for websites, your employment ship may just have come in.
New COVID-Safe Business Models, New Jobs
Many businesses that are surviving are doing so by adapting to coronavirus safety precautions. Some industries are better suited than others. Indeed, some businesses are used to gloves and masks and space between workers, like the home renovation or appliance repair industries. Some businesses need to completely change their business model to fit the new safety requirements and avoid a hiring freeze.
This sometimes requires the creation of entirely new roles. You may have exactly the skills necessary to help an adapting business transition their services to a save no-contact model.
Filling Roles From Transition Retirements
Then there are those who are using the pandemic as an inspiration to retire or try a second, adaptive career. Transition retirement is a very practical choice for older professionals, taking the opportunity of the lockdown to try something new. It’s surprising how many roles are opening up for younger professionals, vacated by those who are retiring instead of trying to corona-adapt in their current roles.
Retirement age professionals often have the resources and flexibility to build a second career based on the new corona-conditions. They may start an at-home online business or simply take this time to relax and enjoy their retirement savings for some time. What this means for younger professionals is new roles being hired for, often in influential positions.
COVID-Era Startups Are Hiring
You also have the option of joining up with a brand new startup. There are already new companies being launched either to support a COVID-managing population or quickly adapted to corona conditions. You could take a leading role in a new startup and become a leading COVID-adapted brand in the new business climate.
There’s No Hiring Freeze!
Just because the economy has contracted and is changing doesn’t mean there’s a hiring freeze. You just have to anticipate the new demands of the job market. For more job-seeking insights in the age of corona, contact us or search our jobs and apply today!
Very insightful!
New Normal and end of era, a reality which all of us needs to adapt to. Some jobs might become obsolete , some jobs might evolve and new ones will be created too. Key is to be in front of that wave and be able to ride it fast!
You’re absolutely right Vyron, the job market is changing daily. It’s our job to see the writing on the wall so we can advise our clients on how to best navigate the changing tides. Thanks for taking the time to leave the thoughtful comment!
Very thorough and complete article- this will definitely help a lot of people during these hard times.
It is a challenging job market right now, but there are still jobs to be had. Thank you, Bruce.