Many industries are shutting down, cutting hours or reducing operations to help control the spread of the virus. This is a stressful time for all. But for some, financial struggles are already making it even more stressful and harder to bear. Even with Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, many cannot afford to wait for financial aid to come in. For those individuals, there may be comfort in knowing that there are still industries who are hiring now, more than ever.
If you still need to find work during COVID-19 outbreak
Support from the government will help, but for some, it will take time for money to start coming in. The reality is, not everyone has the luxury of waiting.
If you absolutely need to find work to be able to pay for housing and basic necessities, there are some industries that are actually ramping up their hiring right now, either because they are an essential service, or because their industry plays a vital role in making it easier for people to self-isolate and navigate through our rapidly changing reality. It’s important to know that recruitment and hiring during COVID-19 has taken on a different face. Many interviews are being done virtually, stringent screening measures have been implemented and precautionary safety and hygiene measures have been put in place at the companies that are still hiring. How companies are responding to COVID-19 and the safety measures they put in place are important to evaluate before accepting any job.
What industries are hiring during COVID-19?
There are 4 major industries that have ramped up hiring as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic:
1. Retail & Consumer Goods
This industry is experiencing some of the biggest business impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. This is because of a boom in online ordering coupled with an increase in employees opting to stay home.
Coronavirus is changing how consumers shop. We are ordering more and more online, both for home delivery and for in-store pickup. There’s also a higher demand for food delivery and meal prep services, and we’re ordering goods that we used to buy mostly in stores (goods like paper products and cleaning supplies). Because of this, there is a great need for workers to handle order fulfillment, deliveries and customer service calls.
It makes sense that we’d see an increase in e-commerce jobs in a global pandemic. So, if you need a job, this industry may be a good bet. When it comes to call centre jobs, or online customer service roles, there may even be work-from-home options.
Businesses hiring in this industry include grocery stores, food delivery platforms, retail e-commerce call centres and so on. Expect available roles to include call centre agent, order fulfillment representative, delivery driver, customer service representative, etc.
2. Manufacturing, Supply Chain & Logistics
This industry is linked to retail and consumer goods, but also to medical supplies. Hospitals and clinics are facing higher volumes of patients, while at the same time trying to increase their supply inventory in case of more spikes in incoming patients.
There will also likely be a spike in domestic manufacturing due to changes in supply chains, as well as jobs related to “last mile logistics” (getting goods to their final destination), especially as demand for same-day delivery increases.
Expect to see an increase in warehouse jobs during COVID-19, as well as jobs along the supply chain. Job openings will likely include roles such as warehouse worker, shipper/receiver and delivery driver. There may even be openings at the management level to manage new hires.
3. Finance & Insurance
The insurance and finance industry during COVID-19 has been dealing with a huge increase in customer service calls. People want to check on their insurance coverage and investments, as well as ask about deferrals on mortgage payments.
As you’ve probably noticed by now, call centres during COVID-19 are seeing a boom in job openings. And that’s exactly where many of the new jobs are in the finance and insurance industry.
One positive aspect about these jobs is that call centres are typically cut off from the public, so employees are exposed to each other, but don’t have to interact face-to-face with the public.
4. Pharma & Life Sciences
The healthcare industry during COVID-19 has brought incredible people into the limelight as these heroes stand firm on the frontline of the pandemic. In doing so, they aren’t just caring for patients, but also providing voices of reason and calm.
And that goes beyond doctors and nurses. Lab technicians, orderlies, receptionists, sanitation workers, and more, play a vital role in keeping hospitals and clinics running efficiently and able to meet the increase in patients.
Pharmaceutical companies will also see an increase in job openings as they ramp up manufacturing of medications to treat symptoms.
Job openings in these fields mostly require specific skills and training, but some may not. If you have skills to offer and are ready and able to step in, there will likely be openings already listed, or listed very soon.
Recruitment and Hiring During COVID-19
With the current climate, looking for a job, or even just considering working, may feel scary. Here’s a few important things to keep in mind:
- Many of these jobs may be temporary and/or part time, but they may also lead to more stable employment down the road.
- If you’re thinking long term and are worried about the impact of taking a job below your skill level, don’t worry. This is a difficult time and we all need to do what we can to support ourselves and our families. Canada has a strong economy and we are likely to see a job boom when the pandemic ends.
- Many overwhelmed businesses do not have time to post jobs online, so don’t put yourself at risk by going door-to-door. Instead, rely on agencies such as Adecco to help you with your employment needs. We have a dedicated health and safety department that collaborates with the companies we work with to ensure all our clients and candidates are taking the proper precautionary measures to ensure a safe workplace. You can see a list of our open roles here.
- Virtual interviews are the new in-person interview. Make sure you have access to a video conferencing software, such as Skype, Zoom, etc., and a quiet place where you can have these interviews.
- Before deciding to work, check out the details for the different relief packages. You can get all the details direct from the government’s website and check in to see if any changes are announced.
Remember: quarantines, school closures, business closures and so on are precautionary measures. That means, they are meant to prevent a much scarier situation. Practice as much social distancing as you can. Above all, practice compassion. We don’t know each other’s stories. Whatever you may think about someone going into work or job hunting, assume they are doing what they need to do to get by. Let’s support each other, respect each other’s space and behave responsibly. We’re Canadians and we can get through this the Canadian way: with kindness.