Job searching advice for the class of COVID-19
Gen Zers and millennials who are new to the job market face unprecedented challenges in 2020. Hiring has picked up as the economy reopens, but even so, the class of 2020 is entering one of the most depressed job markets in decades.
Unemployment is high across the board, but people age 18 to 34 have been disproportionately affected, according to a recent Axios-Harris study. One-third of people age 18 to 34 have been laid off or placed on temporary leave, compared with 22% of those who are 35 to 49, and 15% of those who are 50 to 64, according to the study.
But even in this environment, many companies still need employees, and firms are eager to hire recent college graduates. Even if you’re unable (or unwilling) to travel, keep an eye out for virtual networking events and remote job postings.
“We have definitely seen an increase in remote postings as well as remote events,” said Christine Cruzvergara of Handshake, an online platform that connects recent graduates with employers.
Steer clear of cluttered job-posting sites that will send you down a rabbit hole to out-of-date or already filled jobs. And you don’t have to pay an expensive service to get access to the jobs that are suited to your skills. Websites such as LinkedIn and Handshake allow you to filter your searches by location, industry and job type so you can connect with employers who are hiring. To access Handshake, you’ll need to sign in with your academic credentials and have an .edu email address.
Hiring is up in several categories, including delivery services, call centers, e-commerce warehouses and online tutors. Among major companies, Amazon fulfillment centers, Facebook product and engineering teams, and Nestlé factory/distribution and corporate sites are hiring.
If you’re living at home while job searching, get your finances in order, said Lori Atwood, a certified financial planner based in Washington, D.C. If you have earnings from a temporary or part-time job, use the money you’re saving on rent to build up your cash reserves. That way, you’ll have an emergency fund when you move out.
You may need to be flexible about location, too. The job market is shifting, and the best places to find a job might surprise you. Some of the best cities are Madison, Wisconsin, Charlottesville, Virginia, and Fargo, North Dakota, according to a study by Zippia.com, a career expert website. These cities have low unemployment, which means less competition, and a high number of jobs in essential industries, such as health care, telecommunications, information technology systems and public works.
Emma Patch is a staff writer at Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine. For more on this and similar topics, visit Kiplinger.com.