Despite all the headlines proclaiming millions of jobs available, the truth is many workers aren’t finding work—or at least not the kinds of jobs they want to find. A survey of job seekers conducted by FlexJobs, a site that specializes in flexible and remote work, found that about half of respondents reported not being able to find jobs they were interested in and qualified for. Many reasons are being cited for this, including Covid-19 worries, care responsibilities and the simple fact that some workers’ priorities have changed.
The reality is that there are many different types of jobs out there, but a worker’s ability to find work may be hindered by a lack of skills or experience. For some, the types of jobs they can find don’t appeal to them because they don’t match their interests or provide the income they need to afford things like childcare and housing. And then there are those who just can’t find work because their current position no longer feels worthwhile.
For those who are able to find work, they’re likely facing a new set of challenges as employers are taking longer to hire and pay new employees. A recent report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the pace at which people are finding work is lower than it was before the pandemic, and that some employers are still not hiring at all.
One major reason for this is that employers have been focusing on filling critical, mission-critical roles (like nursing or public health) and not positions that might be easier to staff based on traditional criteria such as experience or education.
There are also some workers who simply don’t have the right kind of skills, and many employers are relying on technology to screen applicants. In addition, the transition to and acceptance of remote work has made it more challenging for workers to find full-time employment.
The good news is that there are still ways for workers to find work, even in these challenging times. In addition to searching for job postings on a variety of websites, workers can make a list of companies that they are interested in and ask them to consider them as candidates for open positions. Workers can also network, talking to alumni from their school, family members and friends who work at or know someone who works for the company they are interested in. This can lead to informational interviews and, eventually, job offers.
Finally, job seekers can keep track of the number of jobs they apply to by making an Excel sheet to record each application. This way, they won’t accidentally apply to the same job twice and will be able to remember which jobs they applied to when it comes time to follow up. They can also send emails to employers if they don’t receive a response within the time frame that is suggested in most job applications. This can help employers get a better sense of how long it takes them to hire people and may prompt them to respond more quickly. Trovare lavoro