How your job hunt has changed in 2021

There have been a lot of changes to the job market in the past year. We take a look at how they might affect your job hunt for the year ahead

Looking for a job in 2020 was to put it nicely, kinda crap. The job market was oversaturated with freshly out-of-work people looking for work when there really wasn’t any to be had. 

But with the job market already bouncing back to its former self, hunting for work in 2021 is looking to be a little easier. 

There are changes that you need to keep in mind though. We sat down with Toula Lambros from Beaumont People to find out what you might need to be doing differently as a jobseeker in post-COVID times. 

Be flexible and open to new opportunities 

Sometimes, to get where you want to go, you need to take a small diversion. That’s why it’s important to remain open to opportunities and working arrangements that you might not normally go for. 

“Sectors like health care, aged care and disability services are all booming in 2021, and you can actually apply transferable skills to many of those jobs,” Lambros says. 

“I’d also be open to considering temporary and contract roles because a lot of organisations are looking to ‘try before they buy’ and offer permanent opportunities.” 

Be prepared for remote work 

Many workplaces are returning staff back to their physical offices, but it’s best to expect and be prepared that for at least some of your job, you will be working from home.

Lambros says, that means getting yourself set up with the right home office equipment, and perfecting the art of the video interview.  

“Make sure that you’re prepared in terms of interview techniques and being comfortable with video interviews for jobs that you’re applying for,” she says. 

Think about upskilling  

Upskilling as a jobseeker is a really great way to fill your day, but in 2021, some skills are worth more than others. 

Schooling yourself on the latest office tech or systems that everyone is using to work from home will get you ahead of the pack. If you’re also broadening your horizons and applying for jobs in unfamiliar sectors, get across their systems and tech before applying.  

“It’s important to get familiar with software in aged care and disabilities, disability services, people that, or familiarise yourself with the regulatory frameworks such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme,” she says. 

“And of course, things like digital marketing skills, technology skills are going to be very important because the nature of the market’s changed.”