COVID-19 and the effects of the global pandemic hit the markets hard and disrupted the hiring pattern. But with challenging times, also came unique opportunities. If you are a job seeker, you need to remain active in your search and stay on top of what industries experienced a slowdown and what are still hiring.
You need to understand the impact of these recent events to be able to maintain your job search with direction and knowledge. Here are some answers to your questions according to a 2020 State of Remote Work Report conducted by Hired.
Remote work will be more flexible
57% of employers said that they believe remote work will still be more flexible even after the pandemic. Companies are becoming more familiar with the benefits it provides and will continue to redefine the meaning of remote
They might look for local workers who will be able to come to the office occasionally or they might open up to candidates in a different area or even time zone to offer continuous operations outside of traditional office hours.
Tech jobs are still in demand
68% of interviewed employers said that they are actively hiring and certain niches are in massive demand – such as cybersecurity, eCommerce, and delivery services. In these services, there is a high demand for tech talent since the technology infrastructure is crucial for the success of the business.
Tech jobs are still in strong demand despite the trimming down in certain industries. In addition, new startups are on the rise, and other industries are on the lookout for tech specialists – such as health tech and business software solutions.
Candidates are actively searching
48% of US tech professionals are more interested in remote work than before – a clear indication that the desire for flexibility is now greater than ever.
In the same analysis, results show that 43% of IT specialists are actively looking for a new job, and 35% are open to new possibilities.
And since most of the interviews are now conducted online, employers need to know that less than 20% of tech talent is bothered with video interviews. This is a positive sign since it indicates that candidates will not be concerned with the remote interview process and it will not affect their decision.
Stay ahead of the curve
It is true that with recent events the candidate competition has increased and there is an oversupply of talent. This means that you need to spend more time to improve your digital footprint and ensure that you have set up for success. For this, you might consider different actions – hire a coach, reach out to mentors, or make new connections.
You also need to develop your personal brand across different job platforms, social media, and communities and ask colleagues, friends, and experts to help you out in the process. Do your research, speak up and ask for help when needed, and make sure that you stay ahead of the curve.
