The Watercooler

3 Ways You Can Adapt to the 2021 Job Search

Looking for a job, but not sure where to start?

It’s completely natural. 2020 was a year of dramatic change, and the best ways to find a great new job changed, too.

As Charles Darwin once said, those who survive “are not the strongest or the most intelligent, but the most adaptable to change.” So, to find a job in our new economy, you don’t necessarily have to be the smartest or even the most qualified – but you do need to adapt your job search strategy.

When it comes to the 2021 job search, what’s changed – and how should you flex your approach? Let’s take a look:

3 Trends Impacting Your 2021 Job Search – and How to Adapt

1. Historical hiring patterns may not apply.

For decades, employers have followed fairly predictable patterns with hiring. Here are a few examples:

  • Accounting and finance hiring surges before tax season.
  • Hospitality employers ramp up hiring before summer.
  • Production facilities staff up in advance of their peak demand periods.
  • Warehouse and shipping companies hire more workers before the holiday rush.

Thanks to ongoing uncertainty, however, those patterns may not hold true this year. How should you adapt?

  • Be your own detective. Rather than waiting for job postings to appear, keep a close eye on trends impacting your industry. Check out updates on the news, industry sites that report on business and hiring trends, and follow top employers on social media. Look for clues about who’s hiring and who isn’t – and proactively connect with recruiters, HR, and hiring managers. Remember: The early bird gets the worm! If you establish a relationship with an employer now, you may get valuable feedback on potential future job openings.
  • Leverage your network. If hiring in your chosen field or industry is slow, it’s a perfect time to reconnect with people in your network. Reach out to colleagues, former employers, fellow alumni, and business contacts via email, LinkedIn, Zoom, or phone. Tell them you’re looking for work, and ask them to contact you if they learn of job opportunities that might be a good fit for you.

2. Certain industries will experience a boom.

Social, economic, environmental, technological and demographic factors are continually changing the world of work – and opening up a wealth of new job opportunities. This year, experts predict hiring surges in everything from tech and fintech companies to healthcare, customer service, and renewable energy.

How to adapt:

  • Do your research. Spend some time learning about fields or industries that interest you, focusing on ones that are poised for growth. In this post, we share 10 high-growth industries and occupations.
  • Widen your search. If you’re interested in transitioning to a new career, consider how you could apply your transferable job skills to a different industry. Transferable skills are not job-specific, meaning that they are valuable in a wide variety of positions. In this post, “Job Skills that Transfer to Different Industries,” we share the top job skills that will serve you well in any position or industry.
  • Adapt your story. Once you inventory your transferable skills and choose a new direction, update your resume, cover letter, and professional social profiles to match. Craft a cohesive career story that explains why you’re headed in a new direction and positions you as the ideal candidate.

3. The gig economy will continue to flourish.

Employers frequently bring on temporary employees, contractors, and freelancers to get work done during times of uncertainty instead of hiring employees directly. While working on an assignment or project basis might not be your first choice, it can be a great steppingstone to the job you want.

Here’s how to adapt:

  • Consider taking a temporary or temp-to-hire job. Choose assignments in line with your career interests, and with employers, you’d like to work for directly. While on assignment, give your best effort and treat it like a “working interview.” Make sure that both your staffing recruiter and assignment supervisor know that you want a direct job. If an employer is impressed with your performance on assignment, they can work with the staffing agency to transition you to direct employment.
  • Apply with a qualified staffing agency like PrideStaff. We can put you to work quickly, while searching for direct jobs that are right for you. When you apply with us, you have immediate access to a wide range of employment opportunities – many of which aren’t advertised elsewhere. Best of all? Our services are free to you.

Your Job Search is Waiting

Start your 2021 job search now. Contact your local PrideStaff recruiter today!