The Changing Trends in Jobs
In February this year, I was in ‘Gurgaon’ city — a place where I spent the most important four years of my career, and I never thought that I’d leave that city. It’s in North India, has ample job opportunities, and most importantly, I have friends there. But as March started, everything toppled and turned upside down due to the Coronavirus. My company never had the “Work from Home Policy,” and we were scared to death about what would happen next!
I assume everyone was going through the same emotions. I remember that day — 23rd March, when I came home, my flatmate was sitting in our common room, and he was shattered. I could see that on his face. He was fired! He worked as Assistant Manager in a unicorn hospitality company, but his division was shut down, leaving 2500 people unemployed. That was just the silence before the storm.
This ongoing downturn is different and more complex than all recessions we have witnessed in the past. On one side, some industries are completely devastated, while a few others are unexpectedly thriving — unaffected, resilient and rebounding quickly. There are job opportunities that are disappearing and strangely resurfacing at these unprecedented same times.
Initially, job roles that need physical presence (on-site) were going unfilled, and fresh job openings were on the decline, but now, things are slowly shifting. While it’s still neither an employer-driven market nor a candidate-driven one, things are looking up. Companies should be cautious not to miss the bus on critical, revenue-boosting, competitive-edge talent.
Tips to find jobs
If you are a job seeker, given the times we’re in right now, you need to tell everyone you can think of that you’re looking for your next job. Your doctor, your neighbours, people at temples, soccer buddies, previous co-workers and bosses, your dog’s groomer, old college roommates — everyone. Why all of them? Because what you don’t know is who they know and who they can tell that you’re looking for your next position.
Secondly, get in front of hiring managers. Undoubtedly, the “human resources” managers must be receiving the stacks of resumes received in response to their job board postings. But they are also in a dilemma about who is most qualified to determine who best deserves an interview? Why not to give it a shot?
Last but not the least, try to apply for jobs in companies that are least likely to struggle for survival in the upcoming months. Even better, focus on those companies whose services or products are likely to be in high demand. For example, grocery stores and online retailers like Walmart, pharmaceutical and medical companies, and digital entertainment like Disney+ and the delivery companies because people worldwide are blocked from leaving their homes and products and services need to be delivered.
