Tips on how to apply for ‘jobs with a purpose’ as Brits search for meaningful roles

AS millions of us graft in new ways, a radical trend is emerging.

Searches for “jobs with a purpose” have soared as more of us look for meaningful roles helping others.

This includes positions with the NHS and emergency services, plus caring roles such as counsellors and social workers.

Andrew Hunter, of job search tool Adzuna, said: “Job-search behaviour has changed dramatically in recent weeks. As well as huge shifts towards remote work, logistics and supermarket jobs, we’ve also observed a notable swell in the number looking for more caring, meaningful careers.

“This crisis could start a shift in behaviour where jobseekers put altruism and making a difference first, and pay packets or career climbing second.”

Here are some of the most-searched jobs and how to apply.

PARAMEDIC: In top spot, searches have more than doubled in April. Paramedics provide an immediate response to 999 and 111 calls. You can get a degree or apply for a position with an ambulance trust as a student paramedic and study as you work. There are 2,000-plus paramedic vacancies nationwide. Find out more at collegeofparamedics.co.uk.

NHS PORTER: Searches for non-medical jobs in the NHS have doubled, with porters, call centre and admin jobs all in the top ten. View vacancies at jobs.nhs.uk.

COUNSELLOR: Increased awareness around mental health in lockdown has seen a surge in jobseekers planning to become counsellors.
Routes in depend on the area you want to specialise in. Qualifications range from degree to doctorate. There are currently 5,400 counsellor vacancies. See bacp.co.uk/careers/careers-in-counselling/training.

POLICE OFFICER: Searches are up by 50 per cent. Although working hours can be unsociable, pay is decent and there is scope to advance. There are 2,900 policing vacancies nationally. See recruit.college.police.uk.

SOCIAL WORKER: With almost 7,000 current vacancies, social work offers excellent career opportunities. It is a graduate profession but there are flexible routes into the industry, such as the Government’s Step Up To Social Work scheme and the Frontline programme, a two-year leadership plan.

Full fulfilment

We are shopping far more online in lockdown, meaning jobs in fulfilment – picking and packing items for distribution for retailers – are booming.

Fulfilment start-up Huboo has 20 weekday roles and ten jobs for weekends available.

The online retail operatives will each be in charge of their own fulfilment hub. The job involves picking and packing customers’ orders.

Huboo chief executive Martin Bysh said: “We’re a dynamic, innovative startup company, so we’re looking for brilliant people to join us on our journey as we go through exciting growth.”

For more information, email recruitment@huboo.co.uk or call 01722 444 025.

Ditching 9 to 5

The pandemic is putting paid to the traditional nine-to-five daily grind.

Three in five workers are no longer sticking to office hours.

A third of employees are starting earlier in the day while 27 per cent are working later in the evening.

And a quarter work while juggling childcare and other priorities. Desks have been ditched too, with 60 per cent working from the kitchen table, their sofa or even their BED. A third are taking more tea breaks but fewer meetings.

A spokesman for Asana, which carried out the survey, said: “A month into lockdown, the working day has completely transformed.”

Time is right to move on

Switching careers is tough but making the move could help get you ahead. Val Olson, career coach at Korn Ferry, knows how to do it.

She said: “The tendency when things are uncertain is to hunker down but that may not be the best thing to do.” Here are her six top tips.

1. Assess what matters most. Look at what you value and how you want to spend your time, not how much money you want to make.
2. Keep up to date. This is an unprecedented moment in history, with swings taking place in various industries. Make yourself knowledgeable on changes and news in the area you want to move into.
3. Don’t shun a sideways move. In times like this, a lateral move might be your only choice. Once you are in a new job, you will then have a chance to earn that promotion after the market turns around again.
4. Assess your skills. If you work in HR, say, at a restaurant chain, tweak your CV to appeal to an industry less impacted by the virus.
5. Reskilling – why wait to learn? The world still needs people with skills in technology, manufacturing, healthcare and other key areas.
6. Keep networking. Link up online with people in the industry you want to move into. The nature of this crisis gives you a valid reason to reach out.