Recently I have been getting several calls around the fear of getting hired post-COVID.  Many have asked me how can they compete with the number of “now” unemployed?

COVID Effects on Jobs and Finances

Since the lock-down has temporarily closed most businesses, and many people are unemployed, the COVID-19 virus is not only a health crisis, but one of Finances.  Many businesses are in jeopardy of permanent closure and bankruptcy.  Even if the businesses do re-open, it is uncertain that everyone will get their original full-time jobs back.

Then there is the added new-graduates onto the job scene.  They will be vying for the same positions that were lost during the mandated business shutdown. 

Therefore, this has become a real fear on many fronts.

Career options that are always in demand

Below is a chart from the U.S. Bureau of Labor charted the careers that are always in demand.  Even though they will always be demand, they will also continue to evolve.

For instance, many of the medical services and physical therapy have moved from just phone consultations, to full appointments by phone or video sessions.  Personal Financial Managers are now done fully remotely.

Software Developers – although always in demand – need to make sure they skills are relevant and viable.  Software languages become obsolete as quickly as new languages and technologies come online.  The world is moving toward virtual and augmented reality environments.   Therefore, your IT skills must keep up.

Things to consider in any field

Not everyone is suited for the above industries, but everyone can do something to make themselves more relevant and valuable in today’s market place.

Consider the following:

• Continue to stay updated on virtual and augmented reality technology like Zoom, Webex, remote management of distributed and global work environments.
• Study tools and methods to lead and manage distributed and global work environments.
• Consider contract (part-time) positions in Finance Management and HR.  Most companies have lost a great deal of revenue.  Several are on the verge of bankruptcy.  Once COVID-19 is over, they still may not be able to hire full-time staff right away.
• Since many companies may be streamlining to cut costs and overhead, they may not want a “full-time” HR or Finance Manager at this time.  Consider offering your services on a part-time bases for 2-3 companies as an intermediary option.
• Once a company that you are currently working part-time, can recover from their losses – they will be able to increase you to full-time.
• Many companies may choose to release their conventional office space – reducing their operational overhead.  Therefore, many organizations will continue to work remote and distributed teams.  Highlighting leadership in remote and distributed teams would be advised.

Few Part-Time versus One Full-Time 

People with full-time employment either had their hours cut or were put on leave during the COVID shut-down.  Other’s with a few part-time jobs or were already working remotely, had less of an impact.  As businesses come back on-line, they may not be able to hire everyone back full-time.  They be waiting to see how long it will take them to recover their loss of revenue before hiring staff back full-time.

Therefore, many people may have decided to take more control over their fates by either starting a part-time side-business to supplement this loss of income — or go into business themselves, full-time. 

Be open to part-time work at several small businesses.  Post-COVID, businesses may be slow to open full-time.  They may not need full-time assistance with accounting, bookkeeping, HR, marketing, project management, testing, etc.  But they many need someone a few hours a week.  You get your foot in the door by working for a few companies at part-time capacity.  Once they are able to, the company can eventually increase your hours to full-time.

Be open to doing different things at the different companies.  For instance, I handle Brand Monitoring and Market Research for one company.  Digital Marketing and Social Media marketing for another company.  I provide content for another company, and project management for another company. 

You may find that you enjoy working for a few companies versus just one. It’s one way to do everything you enjoy doing. At the very least, it opens additional opportunities that you didn’t have before.

 If you need want to discuss in more detail, please setup a one-on-one consult session.

Link can be found HERE.

To participate in a confidential One-on-One Laser Coaching Session with Coach Laura, just email Laura@LauraLeeRose.com. Each session will include 20 minutes of Laser Coaching with time afterward for a few questions. Take advantage of this opportunity to experience coaching. Sign up now and come ready to chat. One-on-One Laser Coaching Signup