While some industries have crumbled under the weight of the COVID-19 pandemic, others are bouncing back stronger than ever.
For people furloughed, laid off, or otherwise underemployed during the pandemic, it’s these sectors that hold the most promise for their next career move. But which industries are hiring and how can newcomers find a job?
Here’s everything you need to know about getting hired in the post-pandemic economy.
Where Are the Jobs?
Who will be the winners and losers after the pandemic ends? These are the industries experts predict will sink and swim during the recovery.
- Education technology, telehealth, manufacturing, robotics, and real estate are five career fields expected to perform well in the new economy.
- On the other hand, COVID-19 is expected to hit industries like entertainment, recreation, hospitality, and oil and gas hard, with total recovery taking years if it happens at all.
- Despite the impact of COVID-19 on small businesses, experts predict a spike in entrepreneurial activity as the economy recovers. Look for opportunities in professional services, education, health, wholesale, and retail, which saw the biggest boom following the Great Recession.
Hot Skills for the Post-COVID-19 Economy
Here’s what unemployed and underemployed job seekers need to take advantage of these emerging opportunities.
- The most important skills for the post-pandemic job market are soft skills like flexibility, emotional intelligence, and creative thinking. Employers also want hires who are literate in technology and analytics.
- Not sure where your skills can take you? Indeed explains how to conduct a job search based on your skills.
- Job seekers should also examine job postings to identify in-demand hard skills for their chosen career. Do you hit most of the marks, or do you need to upskill before you’re a competitive candidate?
- If you need to go back to school, look for programs that let you work while you earn. An online master’s degree in information technology, for example, lets professionals earn credentials that grow their earning potential while they learn.
Tips for Dipping Your Toes Into a New Industry
Struggling to get hired? Here are three ways to gain experience and build your resume in a new industry.
- Freelancing lets professionals grow their resume and network without committing to a long-term assignment. Just keep in mind that freelancers are responsible for making quarterly tax payments on their earnings.
- Volunteering is a surprisingly effective way to gain experience in a new field. If you don’t have the background to get hired just yet, try volunteering your services to gain experience and fill the gap on your resume.
- Job seekers should also attend networking events where they can rub elbows with established professionals in their chosen field. Professional organizations and Meetup groups are two places to find networking opportunities.
Our most important tip for getting hired after COVID-19? Stay creative, flexible, and persistent.
From translating transferable skills to a new industry to starting from scratch with a side gig, it’s these skills that will keep you moving forward in your career.
