THE UK unemployment rate could hit 11.7 per cent – a level not seen since the 1980s – as a result of the coronavirus crisis, according to the OECD.
And as more people lose their jobs, the number of candidates applying for each role increases, making it harder to be first in line.
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But there are some industries which are benefiting from the radical shift in people’s lifestyles.
As more people work from home, choose to exercise alone, talk to their families over the internet and order shopping online, some sectors are booming.
So if you find yourself out of work, where should you look for a job?
Information technology
Almost no one had heard of Zoom or Houseparty before the pandemic hit, but now they have become an integral part of life.
Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Skype are all hiring for workers in the UK at the moment, so if you are tech savvy, this could be your moment.
And it isn’t just online communications businesses: companies are trying to improve their systems to make it easier for people to work from home, meaning they need IT experts to help them.
And as home broadband becomes central to people’s home lives, internet providers are scrambling to boost their systems and dispatch engineers to fix any problems.
Gerwyn Davies, senior labour market adviser at the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, said: “The number of job opportunities in IT has rebounded very quickly.
“This is partly because of short term demand, but also as a result of a more general trend as technology plays a greater role in our lives.”
Software engineers are currently one of the most in-demand roles, he added.
Health and social care
Healthcare companies have been some of the biggest hirers during the past four months.
The NHS has been looking for more doctors, nurses and support workers – as well as a whole host of other roles including cleaners, porters, 111 call handlers and more.
Other private healthcare providers have also been looking for people to staff care homes, as well as agency staff for hospitals.
And it is a trend which is set to continue beyond the current crisis.
Mr Davies said: “The UK has an ageing population so the number of people required to be carers in increasing.”
Recruitment consultant Reed has 51 jobs for 111 or 999 call handlers – many of which you do not need to medically trained for.
Job losses since June 2020
MANY firms have announced job cuts since June as a result of the coronavirus lockdown. These include:
- Shoe chain Aldo collapsed into administration with five stores permanently closed
- Victoria’s Secrets plunged into administration, putting 800 jobs at risk
- Fashion chain Quiz put its shop business into administration in , putting 82 stores at risk
- British Gas owners cuts 5,000 jobs, over half of which will be in management
- Airbus announces 1,700 job losses. It expects cuts to be made by summer 2021
- TM Lewin says it will close all 66 of its UK shops, putting 600 jobs at risk
- Harveys Furniture goes into administration resulting in 240 immdiate job losses and puts another 1,000 at risk
- Upper Crust plans to make 5,000 out of its 9,000-strong workforce redundant
- EasyJet says it plans to close hubs at Stansted, Southend and Newcastle, putting 4,500 jobs at risk
- John Lewis is reported to be planning to cut jobs and permanently close department stores
- Harrods has said it is consulting on cutting 680 jobs
- Virgin Money, which owns Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank, will cut 300 jobs
- Topshop owner Arcadia has announced plans to cut 500 office staff
- Royal Mail is expected to cut 2,000 jobs as a result of coronavirus
Retail – but not as we know it
Although the high street has been hit by a jobs bloodbath in recent weeks, some part of the retail sector have emerged from the pandemic in strong positions.
Warehouse workers are in high demand due to an increase in online shopping while people have been at home.
And the large supermarkets have had to rapidly increase their delivery services to keep up with customers who no longer want to visit the shops.
That means delivery drivers are also needed to get goods to people.
Reed currently lists 279 jobs with parcel firm Hermes alone, while Monster has 415 delivery driver jobs listed.
Mr Davies said: “Although this situation has been exacerbated by the pandemic, it is part of a longer-term structural change in the retail sector.”
Fitness
The coronavirus crisis has spurred many people on to do more about their health.
More than 858,000 people downloaded the NHS-backed Couch to 5K app between March and the end of June – a 92 per cent increase over the same period last year.
And celebrity trainer Joe Wicks has found widespread success with his online workouts.
Although gyms are currently unable to open, a general boost in the nation’s interest in health and fitness may mean more jobs in the future.
These could also involve more one-on-one training as people try and steer clear of crowded gyms.
So personal trainers, or people who can lead classes over the internet, are likely to be in demand.
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Cleaning and hygiene
Unsurprisingly, cleaners have become invaluable in the fight against coronavirus, and in preventing a second wave of the virus.
When we checked, jobs site Indeed had 9,264 cleaning roles advertised, for supermarkets including Aldi, Lidl and Iceland, businesses such as Wetherspoon and Ladbrokes, and for places such as holiday cottages and schools.
If you’re willing to role your sleeves up and put on your marigolds, there are plenty of full time and part times jobs available.
Farming
Last week the National Farmers Union called for overseas farm workers to be added to a shortage occupation list, to ensure migrant workers can continue to come into the UK.
Many farmers are concerned that changes to freedom of movement, which will come into force in January, added to travel restrictions brought about by the pandemic, could make it hard to find labourers.
But this could present opportunities for British workers.
Seasonal fruit pickers have already been in high demand this summer, and as the main harvest season approaches, that will continue to be the case.
Here are 50 jobs you can apply for right now.
Here are nine websites, apps and tools to help you if you’re looking for a job, including free CV resources.
And here’s what you need to know about getting another job while on furlough during the coronavirus crisis.
