Job search during COVID-19

Job search during COVID-19 is more competitive. Below are job search tips to reduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on your job search.

Several factors impact your job search during COVID-19. Including your location, industry and the companies you are applying to.
Stay positive and do not get discouraged. As job seekers can find more opportunities in certain industries.
There are less job openings due to COVID-19. But some job seekers stopped applying. So keep applying, as you may have less competition.

New job opportunities during COVID-19

Some organisations started hiring in March 2020. Also see COVID-19 job opportunities.
Services Australia announced 5,000 openings.
BHP is hiring new 1,500 employees
Telstra is recruiting 1,000 employees Australia wide.
Services NSW is hiring an additional 1,000 staff
Woolworths is also hiring 20,000 nationwide, with 5,000 to Qantas employees who had been laid-off.
Aldi is also employing new staff.
Hospitals are hiring doctors and nurses.
Warehousing companies are also hiring.
Some companies are redeploying COVID-19 layoffs.

Countries around the world are offering relief.
Australia is currently increasing the unemployment payments to job seekers. Also offering certain payments. In addition to the job keeper stimulus package.
Many countries are providing financial support packages and decreased tax rates.

There will probably be more job opportunities in Government, biotechnology, food and healthcare sectors.
Many governments are hiring 1000s to offer services to cope with COVID-19.
The travel and tourism industries seem to be most affected at this stage. So job hunting in these industries is extremely competitive.
Also, hospitality and retail are affected by COVID-19.

Network, as networking will help you in the short term and long term.
Continue to improve your job search techniques. As this will increase your job hunting success.
Improve your resume/ CV and make it stand out.
Be more flexible with your expectations.
Expand your job hunting as much as possible.
If you are currently unemployed, consider roles where you can apply your transferable skills. As this will improve your chances.
More companies are allowing employees to work from home. So you can consider these roles.
Be prepared for virtual interviewing, video interviewing and phone interviewing. Also see my virtual interview tips.
Don’t get discouraged.
Stay positive. As this is always required for a successful job search.
Don’t appear too eager or too desperate.

This article was last updated in March 2020.

Be prepared to answer questions related to COVID-19. Including, have you traveled overseas and have you had any exposure to anyone who has COVID-19.
Some companies may have a hiring freeze. But keep networking.
As a result of COVID-19, most companies will conduct more online virtual interviews.
Some companies have put all face to face interviews on hold. But some companies still require a face to face interview.
Many companies may take longer to make a hiring decision.
Please share these tips on job search during COVID-19.
See my professional resume services.

KMD-Solutions is based in Sydney, NSW, Australia