What is the best way to find a job?

I'm sure everyone is sick of hearing the phrase "unprecedented" in conjunction with the year 2020. I'm going to go ahead and state that this past year was... rather different from the norm. And I think it's fair to say that a lot of us are looking forward to being able to put 2020 in our rearview mirror.

The pandemic caused by the coronavirus has a significant impact on every facet of our lives, including, and in some instances particularly, the manner in which we work and the method in which we hunt for jobs. And despite the fact that we are beginning to see some light at the end of the tunnel, there are still a great many factors that have the ability to have an impact on the economy (namely the vaccine timeline, a potential COVID relief bill, and a new presidential administration). It would seem that the first few months of 2021 will be marked by a certain amount of unpredictability. And it's likely that the repercussions of 2020 won't be felt in full force for some time.

1. Previous Employment Patterns Are Unlikely to Serve as a Guide

In previous years, we have often seen increases in hiring around the beginning of a new year and once again in the autumn, while recruiting has tended to be slower over the summer and the holiday seasons. However, it's possible that won't be the case in 2021.

According to Charlette Beasley, Workplace Analyst at Fit Small Business, a digital resource for owners of small businesses, "We probably won't be able to count on prior hiring trends across the board." "Some industries that haven't been affected as much by the pandemic may still experience similar hiring trends as they have in previous years," but "we should anticipate a downward trend at the start of the year for industries that struggled to adapt to [COVID-related] restrictions," she said. "[T]here are some industries that haven't been affected as much by the pandemic as there have been in previous years."

Beasley is optimistic that recruiting will take up again in the second or third quarter of this year as a result of the widespread availability of a vaccination and the relaxation of limitations on travel, eating, and socializing.

The Art of Adaptation

Keep an eye on trends. When there is less competition for jobs, it is important to get as much information as possible about who is recruiting and who is not hiring. Follow companies that you're interested in on LinkedIn, check out news and industry websites that track changes in business and hiring trends, and pay attention to the types of job postings that you're seeing on job boards. Doing all of these things will help you stay abreast of what's going on in the world. Sign up for the newsletters of the news and industry websites that you visit (and the types of companies posting them). If you aren't sure where to begin, go out to individuals in your network who work in the same field as you do and ask them how they keep up with the latest developments in their sector.

Make the necessary adjustments to your employment hunt. Beasley advises, "It's possible that you might think about applying for employment that, in the past, you wouldn't have considered." This may include branching out into a new area, taking on some freelancing work, discovering inventive methods to refresh your skill set, or trying out alternative techniques for job searching.

Maintain communication with the members in your network. "Job seekers often have the misconception that if employment is slowing down, it is because of them. According to Neepa Parikh, Career Services Manager at Springboard, an online learning platform for students looking to transition into software engineering, data science, machine learning, and UI/UX, this is actually the perfect time to reach out to your network to tell them how grateful you are for their advice, provide a seasonal update, or let them know where you are in your job search. "But that's actually the perfect time to reach out to your network to tell them how grateful you are for their advice," says Neep It is crucial to maintain warm relationships with your connections so that you may potentially win their support when recruiting activity ramps up again. (Full disclosure: I'm a career coach at Springboard.)

2. Vital Economies Will Experience Robust Growth

According to Parikh, "the patterns of hiring are certainly going to differ based on the sector and the size of the organization." "Bigger organizations that have sufficient cash flow and thriving areas like technology and healthcare may experience hiring spikes at the beginning of the year," while "smaller businesses or those in affected industries like service and hospitality may hold off on recruiting until the summer."

This indicates that 2021 might be the year to break out of your industry's comfort zone or make the jump into a career pivot. This is particularly true if you want to enhance your chances of finding a job more quickly or if you were already thinking about making a shift in your line of work.

According to experts, the following are some important sectors to keep an eye on:

Internet: The year 2020 was a significant one for tech firms, mostly because they don't depend on physical storefronts for commerce and can frequently function nearly exclusively online, while the majority of its staff can work from home. As a result, tech companies had a lot of success in 2020. And according to Cristina de la Cruz, Regional Vice President of Robert Half Technology, a human resources consulting business located in the Bay Area, "the technology sector will continue dominating the market" in 2021.

Healthcare and medical technology: "The healthcare and tech sectors will continue to flourish as the epidemic continues to make society more health-conscious and dependent on technology," says Beasley. "The pandemic has already made society more health-conscious." Keep an eye out for employment opportunities with a broad range of firms that are focused on healthcare, including primary care providers and online medical services. Additionally, we should begin the process of regaining some of the preventative care positions that were eliminated in the year 2020.

Even before the epidemic, the financial services business was heading toward internet banking. This is where fintech comes in. Because COVID hastened the move away from a physical storefront presence, "we'll certainly see more employment opportunities in the internet banking and fintech areas," adds Parikh.

E-commerce: Are you familiar with all of the buying that we have been doing online? It has made a difference. According to Parikh, "We're Going to See an Increased Focus on E-Commerce and Consumer Goods," since there has been a surge in the number of individuals Buying Products Rather Than Services. Until 2021, it is expected that businesses who were already online or that were able to successfully make the shift to selling nearly solely on the web will continue to hire staff in order to satisfy customer demand.

Customer service: According to Todd Bavol, CEO of Integrity Staffing Solutions, an agile recruitment and staffing agency, "There's going to be a lot of demand around everything involving customer service." This should translate into an increasing need for customer care agents across a range of businesses, but most notably within the software industry (as organizations continue to depend on virtual business and remote work), as well as within the retail industry (as consumers continue to do the majority of shopping online).

Since we've gained a better understanding of the severity of the climate situation, the renewable energy sector has been on an upward trajectory for some time. Because it seems that the next presidential administration will place a high focus on combating climate change, it is quite possible that we will witness expansion in the field of renewable energy.

Although these are some of the most significant sectors to keep an eye on, the list shown here is not comprehensive. In addition to this, De la Cruz mentioned the fact that several top companies in the legal, accounting, and financial sectors would go on employing throughout the year 2021.

The Art of Adaptation

Find out whether you need to take a different approach. If in 2021 it is anticipated that your sector will continue to see growth, you will want to concentrate on developing yourself into the most competitive candidate possible. This might involve taking on a project to keep your abilities fresh, increasing the amount of time you spend networking, or reviewing your previous job experience and education. However, if the majority of your experience (or all of it) is in a sector that has been severely impacted by the pandemic, such as the hospitality or travel industries, you may want to think about looking for a job in a new industry where many of your skills would be applicable, such as e-commerce or virtual customer support.

Identify your transferrable abilities. "Take inventory of the talents you have from your former industry and assess which skills will be the most relevant and transferrable," Parikh advises, adding that you should also consider how you may build upon or improve these skills. She also recommends forming a partnership with a career coach in order to get assistance in constructing an enticing message regarding one's transferrable talents.

Carry do some study. When changing directions in your professional life, it is critical to get as much information as possible about the field or position into which you want to transition. "Look at job advertisements, and think about how your abilities connect to those openings," advises Bavol. "Sign up for a LinkedIn account and browse the profiles of individuals who have the job you're interested in having. Investigate their past employment and listen to how they explain the positions they've had. Make sure that you use the language that is specific to the industry that you want to work in when you are writing your resume.

Keep building up your professional connections. You may better grasp the trends and determine which talents will be most valuable to future employers if you talk to individuals who are already working in the field that you want to break into. Also, keep in mind that there are a variety of various approaches to networking. According to de la Cruz, you should take advantage of any and all possibilities that present themselves right now to participate in debates that are relevant to you, attend virtual conferences, and join networking groups.

Exhibit some of your excitement. The advice that Parikh gives is to "show that you're modest and hungry." "In many cases, hiring managers would rather hire applicants who are eager to enter their field, who have done their research, and talked to people about the industry, as long as they have fundamental skills and can be trained. This is the case even if the applicants do not have the necessary experience. If you can show that you have a real interest in what you do for a living, you will go very far. This indicates that you should have an excellent elevator pitch prepared and be ready to discuss the factors that led to your decision to move jobs throughout the interview process.

3. The Number of Jobs That Are Temporary, Freelance, and Contract-Based Will Grow

According to de la Cruz, "when the economy is unstable, businesses often depend more on contract workers or specialists working on specific projects." They may have some reservations about employing new employees, but at the same time, they don't want to be understaffed since they have work that has to be completed. This indicates that you may expect to encounter a greater number of job posts that belong to categories such as temporary, temp-to-hire, contract, or freelance work. The flexibility and diversity that come along with temp employment may be appealing to some people; yet, the increased level of uncertainty that comes along with it may also produce anxiety that is quite natural.

Both benefits and drawbacks are associated with temporary labor. On the one hand, it might be disheartening if the only positions you are able to discover don't promise work beyond a certain date or, even worse, don't provide health insurance. This can make it difficult to remain optimistic about one's employment prospects (an especially crucial benefit these days). On the other hand, there is a possibility that a contract position may eventually evolve into something more permanent in the future. This is something to keep in mind. In addition to that, working as a freelancer may be an excellent method to improve your skill set, boost your CV, or break into a new field.

The Art of Adaptation

Take advantage of the positive aspects of working in temporary positions. Temporary work can be a suitable answer for you in the near term if you've been experiencing trouble obtaining permanent employment. Building new abilities or filling in a gap on your CV may be accomplished with the help of this strategy. "Temp work is one of the greatest methods to develop a résumé," says Bavol, who adds that he began his career as a temporary employee. "Temp employment is one of the best ways to construct a resume for people who are trying to get their foot in the door in a new position or field," Bavol says. "I was exposed to a wide variety of professional fields while simultaneously gaining a wealth of knowledge."

But you need to be honest with yourself about what will really work for you. Some people who are looking for employment may be able to look at temporary labor as a long-term solution, while others could look at it as an experiment they can conduct for a shorter period of time or use it as a method to supplement their income until something more solid comes along. Take an honest assessment of your current financial situation in order to figure out what options could be available to you.

Communicate your objectives. Because of the degree of unpredictability now surrounding the future, businesses are increasingly turning to temporary forms of employment. However, this will eventually change. Companies often supplement their normal workforce with highly qualified consultants or freelance specialists who provide specific capabilities and knowledge. These roles sometimes become staff posts," de la Cruz points out. Be careful to communicate your intention to your current temporary employer if you want to become a member of the group.

4. There Is No Going Back on Telecommuting

It is quite improbable that the number of individuals who work in an office will ever recover to the levels that it had before the year 2020 since the epidemic has changed the way that many companies look about remote work. However, this does not imply that we won't ever go back to our assigned cubicles at all.

In the next chapter of their history, it is quite probable that some businesses will adopt the concept of remote work, while others will seek to bring employees back on-site and still others will investigate hybrid and flexible business models. In the meanwhile, a large number of companies will continue to carry out their employment procedures remotely, despite the fact that they may eventually take a different perspective on the viability of working remotely in the long term.

The Art of Adaptation

Expand the scope of your employment search. According to Parikh, the trend toward working from home has made a great many opportunities available to individuals in various parts of the nation. This implies that in addition to applying for jobs that are typically available in your region, you are also free to submit applications for employment that may be located elsewhere in the nation.

Keep your video interviewing skills sharp. It stands to reason that the vast majority of interviews will continue to be conducted remotely as long as so many businesses are committed to the concept of remote employment. Even companies that intend to ultimately need workers to go to the office may choose to conduct interviews virtually until a vaccination becomes more widely available and it is deemed safe to start conducting in-person interviews. Consequently, you should be prepared to respond to frequent interview questions and follow these suggestions for the video interview.

Put on a show of your WFH prowess. Certain individuals, in comparison to others, are more suited to work from home because they possess certain qualities, such as high levels of organization and excellent communication abilities. During your video interviews, it wouldn't hurt to be ready to answer questions relevant to working from home, regardless of whether you're applying for a job that will be remote permanently or remote for the time being.

Consider the way in which you wish to conduct your task. Some people have missed walking into an office and yearn to work with their coworkers in person since the trend toward remote work began. However, for others who like working from home, this development comes as welcome news. Whatever it is that you have found that you like, you will want to be smart about where you are applying, what questions you ask about the firm's existing structure and long-term goals, and how you express your intended post-COVID working arrangements to the organization.

5. Businesses are going to put a greater emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.

The movement toward diversity, equality, and inclusion in the workplace will be a key positive development for the labor market in 2021. This will be one of the most important factors driving employment growth. Beasley, the author of a research on hiring trends that will impact women and minorities in 2021, forecasts an increased trend in DEI-focused recruitment and hiring procedures at every level of a business. The paper was titled "Hiring Trends That Will Affect Women and Minorities in 2021."

The Art of Adaptation

There will be more opportunities in the job market for women, people of color, and folks from other underrepresented groups, including an increase in internships and entry-level jobs aimed at recruiting job seekers from marginalized groups into industries like technology or finance, according to Beasley. The good news is that if you identify as a member of a marginalized community: the good news is that there will be more opportunities in the job market for you. However, you will still need an excellent approach for job searching and networking in order to be successful. "You need to position oneself in a proactive manner." It will be far more successful for you to join groups for women or minorities than to merely sending your CV to a job site, she adds. Joining groups for women or minorities will provide you access to diversity-friendly companies. It is also essential to keep in mind that not all businesses will be as devoted as they would want the general public to believe they are; thus, it is imperative that you remember to conduct your research. Check out these suggestions for determining the level of dedication to DEI shown by a potential employer (plus red flags to watch for).

Employers are seeking not simply to develop diverse teams, but also to onboard people who are aligned with the aims of the company. This applies to everyone, regardless of who they are. If you are prepared to address questions on diversity, equality, and inclusion during an interview, it will demonstrate that you are just as dedicated to DEI as the potential company who will hire you. You should also conduct some research and ask intelligent questions about a firm's programs or the make-up of its personnel during your interview to discover whether or not they correspond with your beliefs. This may help you decide whether or not you want to work for the company.

6. The process of hiring people will continue to become more mechanized.

Automated methods are becoming more popular among hiring teams as a means of assisting them in managing the large volume of applications received. This implies that more applicant tracking systems and chatbots will be used to answer frequently asked questions (FAQs) about applications, ask basic screening questions, and even arrange interviews.

Applicants for jobs should also anticipate an increased use of automation in the interview process. According to Bavol, more and more businesses are screening potential employees with the use of pre-recorded interviews. "There are even others who are working on artificial intelligence to analyze such interviews, looking for keywords and monitoring facial expressions. This degree of technological development is still in its infant stage, but it is on its way.

Some of these new technologies even scan cover letters and even chat discussions for important keywords, and then use that information to decide whether or not a candidate could be a good match for the position that they have applied for. Because of this, it will be more necessary than ever to personalize the materials you use in your job search to the specific positions you are interested in.

The Art of Adaptation

Tailor your resume. The only purpose of submitting a CV is to pique the attention of a recruiter or hiring manager to the point where they will take the necessary next step of setting up an initial phone screen with you. And the simplest approach to do this is to detail in your resume the reasons why you are an excellent candidate for the position to which you have applied. Because of this, it is very necessary to adapt your resume to a particular position while also ensuring that it is compatible with applicant tracking systems (ATS).

Make effective use of the automation available to you. When you encounter a pre-recorded interview scenario, there is a good chance that the AI will ask you standard first-interview questions such as "Tell me about yourself," "How did you hear about this opportunity?" or "Why would you be a good fit for this position?" In the event that you do encounter a pre-recorded interview scenario, there is a good chance that the AI will ask you these questions. In addition to ensuring that you are ready for the structure of the digital interview, this will allow you to prepare in advance for the sorts of questions that will be asked.

Don't forget to include some kind of human element. According to Parikh, one should "always supplement applications with follow-up." Whenever it is convenient for you to do so, she suggests that you get in touch with the hiring manager or other employees at the company to which you have applied.

7. The overall level of competition is expected to increase.

The application pool, which was earlier relatively small due to rising rates of unemployment and the popularity of remote work, has now significantly grown. This indicates that there are now more persons applying for a certain job opening. Because of this, it could be more difficult for you to distinguish yourself from the rest of the throng. It is also possible that you may have to continue looking for work for a longer period of time.

The Art of Adaptation

Ensure that your cover letter, résumé, and LinkedIn profile are in tip-top shape. In point of fact, you shouldn't just polish them. See to it so they sparkle as much as the crown on the Chrysler Building. It will be more vital than ever to spend time improving your CV, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile in order to stand out from the crowd in a job market that is competitive. You should also ensure that your social media profiles are optimized for the job hunt, and you should keep your portfolio and personal website up to date (if you already have one; if not, you might think about creating one!).

Be strategic. The advice that Bavol gives is, "Don't send your résumé out to everyone." "Zero in on the job listings that are a good fit for you, and then tailor your application materials to meet the requirements of each individual ad." It is in your best interest to submit a handful of applications that have been carefully tailored and are of a high quality rather than to apply for every job that you can see.

Consider coming up with original ideas to set yourself apart. Are you able to pick up a new skill? Publish an article on your own? Create an impressive or unique personal website? If you are looking to improve your skills or build up your resume, you should think about taking on some freelance work or a project that is done for free if you have the financial means to do so. According to Parikh, employers value applicants who go the extra mile to maintain their expertise and stay current with developments in the industry.

Embrace upskilling. "We're in an upskill world," adds Bavol. "We're in it." "Be sure that you are always one step ahead of the trends, and that your talents do not become outmoded as a result of the ongoing changes in the world." There is a dizzying array of websites that provide job searchers who are interested in brushing up on their existing abilities or adding new ones to their resumes with the opportunity to take online courses for no cost or at a very low cost.

Be patient and adaptable. Beasley recommends that those seeking employment approach the labor market of 2021 with an open mind. They must be adaptable and make certain that both their résumé and their "candidate brand" reflect this trait. This can mean that you need to have numerous versions of your basic resume (one for each position or sector that you're seeking), or it might mean that you need to accept a temporary job or a freelancing project to hold you over until you discover the ideal opportunity.

Practice self-care. Even in the most favorable of circumstances, the search for a new job can be a very draining experience. Don't forget to schedule some time for yourself so that you may look after yourself. Take a break from your quest to enjoy the simple pleasures of life, such as going for a stroll, making something delicious, or meeting up with a friend or member of your family whose phone calls always give you the energy to keep going.

The previous year was unlike any other year, and it seems likely that 2021 will continue in the same vein of being a bit of a rollercoaster. But there is still cause for optimism. According to de la Cruz, "we're seeing a lot of wonderful optimism in hiring generally." "It's been a challenging year, but there are so many reasons for optimism in the market, and there's a lot to look forward to in the next year," the speaker said.