In a rollercoaster year of job loss and uncertainty, several industries drove demand and growth for jobs. Here is a look back at what was in-demand in 2020.
Which industries drove demand in 2020?
It’s no surprise there was a spike in transportation and warehousing jobs last year. As online shopping increased for everything from groceries to work from home loungewear, so did the need to keep those warehouses stocked and goods delivered. Truck drivers remained an in-demand job throughout the year, as did warehouse and material mover workers.
Retail experienced an initial dip but bounced back and is continuing to increase. Businesses have lived with shopping restrictions for almost a year and have implemented innovative ways to keep customers and employees safe.
Healthcare, administrative and professional services held mostly steady last year, with some ups and downs that were less dramatic than other industries. From keeping employees on track and engaged to insurance and finance, many jobs were able to be performed from home and experienced fewer job losses.
Where was the growth last month?
While every state experienced an increase in job postings, Utah and Nebraska had the highest growth in December.
Industry improvements in December largely reflected 2020 overall trends with two notable exceptions: education and accommodation/food services. States are still figuring out how (or whether) to open schools and employ educators, and as restrictions ease in various locations, indoor dining and hospitality have started to return.
How can you reach the right candidates?
First, focus on your sourcing strategy. Do you have the right HR tools to search and target millions of candidates? Let technology do the work for you by investing in AI, or at the very least, optimizing your site for a seamless hiring process.
Second, take a skills-based hiring approach. Eventually, there will be increased competition for talent as companies bring back workers, plus, many industries have evolved so much in the past year, candidates will have to look to new sectors. This means both employers and applicants should be open to new job titles and industries. You might have candidates who are currently in temporary roles to pay the bills but want to settle into a more permanent career, or you likely will have applicants whose career path isn’t a traditional ladder anymore. Roles and job titles were already shifting and have now simply been accelerated. Look for potential employees who have the right skills to perform the job, not just past titles and experiences.
