7 Secrets to land a job in 2021! Hiring manager’s want You to know.
The corona virus pandemic took a toll on every aspect of our lives — including, and in some cases especially, the way we work and what our job searches look like. And while we’re starting to see glimmers of light at the end of the tunnel, there are still a lot of variables that could affect the economy.
While many sectors saw massive job losses, few businesses showed considerable growth and resilience by pivoting to new solutions. A holistic approach towards employ-ability states that a combination of technological know-how and subject matter expertise influence an individual’s employ-ability.
According to LinkedIn, the following are the most in-demand skills in 2021:
- Creativity
- Persuasion
- Collaboration
- Adaptability
- Emotional intelligence
- Agility
As per the 2021 India Skills Report, only 45.9% of youth is seen as employable in 2021. The overall trend is positive for graduating students and there is an availability of students who are employable, with 40% of employable talent in the age group of 18–21 years.The hiring intent survey also indicates a 4% increase in recruitment in 2021. It can be attributed to the gradual inclusion of remote work environments and digitization, making hiring across state borders efficient and easy. This has resulted in an increased demand for candidates ready to constantly learn, unlearn and relearn, and to keep up with the dynamic work trends of the industry for quick absorption into the workforce.
If you’re one of the many people who’s currently looking for a new job or planning to start a job search soon, here’s what you need to know about finding a job in 2021.
1. Historical Hiring Trends Probably Won’t Apply
In years past, we’ve typically seen hiring surges at the start of a new year and again in the fall, while the summer and holiday seasons have tended to be slower. But in 2021,we should anticipate a downward trend at the start of the year for industries that struggled to adapt to COVID-related restrictions.
How to Adapt:
Keep an eye on trends: To stay on top of what’s happening, check out news and industry sites that monitor business and hiring trends (sign up for their newsletters if they have them), follow companies you’re interested in on LinkedIn, and pay attention to the types of job postings you’re seeing on job boards (and the types of companies posting them).
Adjust your job search accordingly: Consider branching out into a new industry, taking on some freelance work, finding creative ways to update your skill set, or trying out different job search strategies.
2. Key Industries Will Be Booming
Bigger companies that have enough cash flow and booming industries like tech and healthcare may see hiring surges at the beginning of the year, while smaller businesses or those in impacted industries like service and hospitality may hold off hiring until mid of the year.
Some key industries to watch, according to experts:
Tech: 2020 was a big year for tech companies, largely because they don’t rely on physical storefronts for business and can often operate almost entirely online, as most of their employees can work from home.
Healthcare and health tech: The healthcare and tech industries will continue to expand as the pandemic continues to make society more health-conscious and reliant on technology.
Fintech, E-commerce, Customer service & Renewable energy are some Key Industries.
How to Adapt:
Identify your transferable skills: Take stock of the skills you have from your previous industry and determine which skills will be most relevant and transferable.
3. Temporary, Freelance, and Contract Work Will Be on the Rise
During an uncertain economy, firms often rely more on temporary or project professionals. That means you’ll probably see more job postings that fall under the temporary, temp-to-hire, contract, or freelance categories. And while the freedom and variety that comes with temp work may be intriguing to some, the more uncertain nature of it can also cause understandable anxiety.
How to Adapt:
Communicate your intentions: Companies are adopting temporary working arrangements because the future is a bit uncertain at the moment. But that will change.
Show your enthusiasm: Show that you’re humble and hungry. In many cases, hiring managers would rather hire applicants who are eager to enter their field, who’ve done their research, and talked to people about the industry, so long as they have basic skills and can be trained. Demonstrating a genuine passion for your career will take you far.
4. Remote Work Is Here to Stay
The pandemic has altered the way many employers think about remote work, and it’s unlikely that the number of people who work in an office will ever return to pre-2020 levels. But that doesn’t mean we won’t be returning to our cubicles at all.
How to Adapt:
Keep your video interviewing skills sharp. With so many companies continuing to embrace remote work, it stands to reason that interviews will continue to be largely remote, too. Even those that will eventually expect employees to come into the office might be hiring remotely until the vaccine is more widespread and it’s safer to resume in-person interviews.
5. Companies Will Expand Their Focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
One major bright spot in the 2021 job market will be the trend toward diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
How to Adapt:
If you identify as a member of a marginalized community: The good news is there will be more opportunities in the job market for women, people of color, and folks from other underrepresented groups, including an uptick in internships and entry-level jobs aimed at recruiting job seekers from marginalized groups into industries like tech or finance.
No matter who you are: Employers are looking not only to build diverse teams, but also to onboard employees who are aligned with their goals.
6. Recruiting Will Continue to Become More Automated
Hiring teams are increasingly turning to automated systems to help them manage the influx of applications. That means more applicant tracking systems and chat bots to answer application FAQs, ask basic screening questions, or even schedule interviews. Job seekers can also expect to see more automation in the interview process. Companies are increasingly using pre-recorded interviews to screen candidates. Some are even developing AI to review those interviews, listening for keywords and watching facial expressions. That level of technology is the infancy stage but it’s coming.
How to Adapt:
Tailor your resume. The whole point of a resume is to get a recruiter or hiring manager interested enough that they take the next step and schedule an initial phone screen with you. And the easiest way to do that is to use your resume to spell out why you’re a great fit for the role you’ve applied to.
7. There Will Be More Competition Overall
With unemployment and remote work on the rise, the once shallow applicant pool has now deepened. This means more people are now applying for any given job posting. That can make it harder for you to stand out from the crowd. It can also mean that you could be in for a longer job search.
How to Adapt:
Be strategic: Don’t send your resume out everywhere. Laser in on the right job postings for you and then fine-tune your resume for that specific posting. It’s better to submit a few thoughtfully tailored, high-quality applications than to apply for every job in sight.
Think about creative ways to stand out. Can you learn a new skill? Self-publish an article? Create an impressive or unique personal website? “If you’re looking to enhance your skills or build up your resume, consider taking on freelance work or a pro-bono project if you can afford to. Employers appreciate candidates who go the extra mile to stay sharp and keep up with the industry.
It’s important to expand your horizons when dipping your toe into the 2021 job market. You never know what opportunities await you. Hopefully, these best practices have helped you adjust your scope and open your mind to all of the possibilities you have yet to explore.
Feel free to try one or all of these suggestions to see how you fare as you tackle this new job market. You owe it to yourself to do whatever you can to ensure that you land the role you deserve. Thank you.