However, despite all this, there were some sectors that have seen an increase in recruitment as demand for their services grew. Let us, then, look at just three sectors that have actually seen a boom in recruitment.
Healthcare and mental health services
As you might expect from such a global pandemic, the strain on healthcare across the world has been huge.
This has caused many countries to look at expanding their group of healthcare workers to not only meet the demand placed on them by the pandemic, but also help deal with a backlog of cases requiring treatment.
Some countries have been asking for retired or ex-healthcare workers to return to the role to help with the immediate situation.
They have also started big recruitment campaigns to get newly qualified healthcare workers into jobs as soon as possible.
Another area that has seen dramatic growth is therapist training. This growth is partly due to the increase in mental health illness that has arisen as a result of the prolonged coronavirus crisis.
Many people who had no mental health problems before, developed anxiety and depression due to the effects of the pandemic and extended periods in lockdown.
These areas are likely to continue to grow in the coming months.
Logistics and transportation
Supply chains have been stretched enormously during the pandemic. This started with panic buying that left many retailers running out of stock.
During the lockdown, there was an increase in online shopping, which also took its toll on heavy goods and light van deliveries.
With both of these together, there was a demand for new workers to join the logistics and transportation sectors.
Together with drivers, the sector has seen strong demand for warehouse operatives and packing staff to back up this increase in road freight.
With the online shopping boom set to continue due to customers preferring this type of shopping, transport looks set to see a steady increase in hiring for a while.
Sales and customer service
Lockdown affected the retail sectors particularly hard. Those companies that did not have an online presence were forced to close because of lockdowns, and some had to lay off staff as a result.
With an end to the pandemic lockdowns and a change in the way people are shopping, there has been a big boost for staff in the sales and customer service sectors.
Retail stores are now looking to hire new workers as sales staff, with stores reopening and customers coming back.
Those companies that didn’t have an online presence are now opting to build online stores and recruit telephone sales teams as a result.
Customer support is also essential to help deal with the increase in sales generated by growing companies.
This phenomenon is not restricted to new online businesses, as it has also been observed in existing ones that have seen high demand in recent months.
With consumer confidence returning, these sectors will continue to be in demand.
Other growth
As well as these main three industries that lockdown has caused a boom in recruitment, there are others worth mentioning.
Technology
One thing that stood out during lockdown was how reliant people were on technology for work and in everyday life. This resulted in the use of video conferencing software and online shopping increasing dramatically.
- There was also an increase in people needing more security for laptops when working from home and other new technology.
- Many technology firms were looking to increase their hiring of engineers and software developers to help meet this new demand and provide a better service.
- Web developers were also in demand as many people decided to launch their own businesses and needed help building websites and online shopping portals.
Construction
- Many construction and building projects were put on hold during the lockdown and the early stages of the pandemic.
- These projects are now starting again, and so there is a growing need for construction and building workers.
- As well as existing work, there has been an increase in new projects that are partly a result of the pandemic.
- Some people have had a change in circumstances that has led to them altering their house due to working at home, or because of a change in lifestyle.
Conclusion
Although the pandemic caused a lot of distress and problems, it has also led to new opportunities and ways of working that will have an impact on people’s lives for a long time to come.