The economy has lost 13 million jobs since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States in March. Despite this grim statistic, many organizations are still hiring. An August 2020 survey of 600 human-resources and finance chiefs by Paycor found that more than half of small and midsize businesses plan to add full-time employees to their staff this year.

The job landscape of today is significantly different from the labor market at the beginning of the year. One open job can have hundreds of applicants, and most organizations are conducting their interviews virtually. Companies’ hiring needs are changing quickly.

If you’re looking for a new job, there are several things you can be doing to increase your chances of securing a position in this new hiring landscape:

1. Network regularly. This doesn’t mean you have to meet people in person and have conversations for hours. There are plenty of methods to connect with other professionals online. LinkedIn is an excellent platform to network with a variety of people in your industry and help you learn about job opportunities. Additionally, many companies are organizing virtual networking events and webinars, or have moved their courses and conferences that were initially supposed to be in person online. A few examples in the EHS industry include The Safer Safety Leadership Conference hosted by EHSToday, EHS & Sustainability Management Forum hosted by The National Association for EHS&S Management (NAEM), and our environmental training courses at Aarcher Institute. Make sure to explore the options available to you in your industry.

2. Anticipate remote work. Reopening the workplace is complicated with the need for strict social distancing, hygiene, and sanitation practices. Telecommuting is becoming the new normal as a result. The number of remote jobs that have been posted on Glassdoor has increased 53 percent compared to a year ago. As an EHS professional, you’ll likely continue to work in the field, but be open to jobs that allow for some of your responsibilities to be carried out remotely.

3. Be prepared for a completely virtual hiring process. Most organizations are conducting the screening, interviewing, and testing process virtually. As a job seeker, you need to stand out to employers even when you’re at home. Consider running a test video call with a family member or friend before your virtual interview to ensure everything is working properly and that your background looks professional and distraction-free.

The hiring landscape has changed significantly as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. We will likely see more changes as employers continue to navigate the pandemic. If you’re a job seeker, it’s critical to stay current with industry trends to increase your chances of securing a new job in this difficult job market.

Resource:

The New Rules for Landing a Job in the Covid Era, Kathryn Dill, The Wall Street Journal.