Job Opportunities for People Displaced by the Coronavirus Pandemic

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, it's had a significant impact on millions of jobs. While we'd previously enjoyed a low unemployment rate and a job seekers' market, things have drastically changed in the last few weeks.

Last week, 3.3 million people filed for unemployment. Economists suggest 40 million jobs could be lost in April. Some job losses may be temporary, but for businesses that can't survive a standstill, those job losses might be permanent.

If you are one of the many who have been displaced because of the coronavirus pandemic, there are job opportunities you can find.

Industries in high need of workers

The coronavirus crisis has brought some industries to a halt, but other industries have suddenly become busier than ever. Several large companies are also reportedly filling more than 800,000 positions. Many of these companies have a great hiring need for both permanent and temporary positions.

• Delivery and driver jobs: Delivery requests have soared during this pandemic, and it's clear this is an immediate need that will continue indefinitely. On April 3, CNBC reported openings for 17,541 truck drivers, 9,679 CDL drivers, and 4,466 delivery drivers were listed on CareerBuilder.
• Pharmacies, grocery stores: As essential businesses, these sellers need people to stock shelves, put together orders, fill supplier order requests, and much more. Forbes recently reported the big names in these industries were collectively adding hundreds of thousands of jobs.
• Warehouses and online retailers: Americans are relying on the ability to order supplies and products online and have them delivered, putting a heavy strain on the fulfillment and supplier ends of the chain, resulting in a need for more manpower. For instance, Amazon recently announced its intention to fill 100,000 new jobs, and Walmart said it’s adding 150,000 jobs in its stores, warehouses, fulfillment, and distribution centers.
• Technology companies: With everyone in isolation, several sectors of the tech industry have a high need for skilled workers to help maintain connectivity or applications to enable people to continue to work remotely. Tech giants, including Facebook, Microsoft, and Google, along with new kid on the block, Zoom, are seeing high demand for their services.

One way to find these and other opportunities is to search LinkedIn using the hashtags #CoronaVirusHiring or #NowHiring.

Healthcare facilities and medical support

Healthcare is an industry with an urgent need, and many healthcare facilities across the nation cannot adequately staff their positions. Overall, the healthcare industry is has reportedly seen a 35 percent spike in job postings. In addition to the extreme need for skilled doctors and nurses, most facilities are also experiencing a shortage of workers to perform personal care, administration, equipment, and supplies. Other employers that provide caregiving support for people living at home who cannot completely care for themselves are also looking for people to help provide these services.

In-demand skills sought to combat coronavirus

The COVID-19 crisis has created somewhat of a new employment niche. Many specialty skills used in other industries can now be applied in new ways. People are needed to help find a solution to stop the pandemic, learn more about the virus, or distribute information to the public. Current in-demand skills employers are seeking include:

• Researchers and scientists: So little is known about this virus that the need for skilled professionals who have the right knowledge and tools to help to uncover its mysteries are in immediate demand.
• Data specialists: Officials in the public and private sectors are actively looking for people who can make sense of the coronavirus data that's been compiled and translate it for others to use.
• Communicators and writers: As research and interpretations of data are discovered, there is now a high need for people who can effectively communicate and distribute information to the public or to organizations looking to help combat the virus.

The need for people possessing these skills will likely continue to remain steady in the future as no one really knows what the next few weeks or months will hold as officials, and overall society, try to fight this pandemic.

Other tips

As the crisis unfolds, many volunteers or other unique programs are emerging to help keep people employed.

• Numerous employers with displaced workers are partnering with companies that currently have hiring needs. Check with your employer to see if a similar program exists.
• Keep an eye out for tech or other companies offering free training to displaced workers.
• Look for online learning opportunities to develop new skills or dust off old ones.

Have you been displaced because of the coronavirus pandemic? Many employers are still actively hiring across the United States. Our national jobs database can show you where they are.