Looking For a Job? These 5 Industries Are Hiring During the COVID-19 Pandemic
During the first week of April, 2020, 6.6 million unemployment claims were filed amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The week prior, the Department of Labor reported 7.455 million claims - an all-time record high, surpassing the previous 6.635 million filed in May of 2009.1
Due to stay-at-home orders and a global effort to stop the spread of COVID-19, millions of workers around the world have been left without a paycheque. While it could be months before businesses resume regular operation, many must find work in the interim to make ends meet. If you or a loved one has lost a job during this pandemic, below are five industries in need of workers right now.
Industry #1: Pharmacies
Healthcare is the number one priority in the world right now, and pharmacies are keeping their doors open. CVS Health, for example, plans to hire 50,000 workers for full-time, part-time and temporary jobs across its stores, delivery services and customer support operations.2 Walgreens is also offering temporary positions including pharmacy technicians and customer service associates.
Industry #2: Teleworking Software
Millions of people have transitioned to working remotely from home. Even schools and universities have switched to virtual learning. Right now, the world is primarily operating through the internet.
This shift from in-person to remote makes video conferencing and online chat or meeting softwares absolutely crucial. Two big names in this industry are Zoom and Slack, both of which have added hundreds of job openings across all teams. Maintaining these softwares and ensuring they don’t crash due to the sudden influx of users requires hard work, meaning these companies are staffing up to accommodate their sudden surge in popularity.
Industry #3: Shipping and Delivery
As measures are being put in place around the world to prevent people from leaving their homes, people are relying on companies such as Amazon to deliver what they need to their doorstep. Amazon is facing a tremendous increase in demand, and announced in March that they are opening 100,000 new full and part-time positions across the U.S, specifically in their delivery channels.3 In addition, the company announced that they’ll be adding an additional $2/hour in America and C$2/hour in Canada to employees’ pay through April. No matter what industry you worked in before, Amazon is hiring workers of varying skill sets during this unprecedented time.
Industry #4: Tech Support
Easily accessible tech support is more important now than ever before. With everyone working from home, people are on their own and in need of technical assistance to keep their workday running smoothly. Support.com, an online tech support company is offering remote jobs nationwide in customer, technical and call support roles in order to assist both companies and consumers.
Industry #5: Grocery Stores
As fear looms and panic increases, people are rushing to grocery stores to stock up on food and other essentials. Stores like Walmart,Sobey's, Loblaws and regional grocery stores are seeking to hire thousands of workers to meet the increasing demand. These roles range from bagging and stocking shelves to handling supply chain logistics and public relations.
There’s a growing number of people who have lost their jobs during this global pandemic. However, it’s important to remember that there are a variety of organizations hiring worldwide. Take some time to research open roles that fit with your skills and find a job that’s right for you.
This content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security.