How the Covid-19 pandemic shaped the US job market into what it is today

The United States job market has been through unprecedented ups and downs due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Once vaccines became more available and widespread, the US economy slowly recovered, and the job market evolved with the new experiences it gained during the pandemic years. Today, we attempt to discuss some of the trends in the American job market that our career experts have noticed in the past few years.

A drastic rise in remote work

The pandemic has shown that remote work is not only possible but also has many advantages. A recent study showed that?42% of the US labor force is now working remotely, compared to only 9% before the pandemic. This trend is expected to continue in the post-pandemic world, as many companies have realized the cost savings and flexibility of remote work. This trend has also resulted in an increase in job opportunities for those who prefer to work remotely or live in areas where there are few job opportunities.

More Americans are shifting toward the gig economy

The gig economy has been growing in popularity in recent years, and the pandemic has accelerated this trend. The gig economy includes jobs like freelancing, ridesharing, and food delivery.?The gig economy?offers flexibility and the ability to work from anywhere, making it an attractive option for many. According to a study by Upwork, 36% of the US workforce will freelance in 2020, up from 28% in 2018. This trend is expected to continue as more people turn to freelance work as a result of the pandemic.

A flourishing healthcare industry

The healthcare industry has been growing rapidly in recent years, and the pandemic has only increased its importance.?Healthcare jobs?are among the most in-demand in the United States, with a projected growth rate of 15% between 2019 and 2029, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The pandemic has also highlighted the importance of telehealth, which has led to an increase in jobs related to virtual healthcare. Healthcare jobs are expected to continue to be in high demand in the post-pandemic world.

The rise and fall of the tech industry boom

The technology industry has been growing rapidly for years, and the pandemic increased its importance.?The technology industry?has been critical in enabling remote work and has seen an increase in demand for digital products and services. According to a study by Indeed, the technology industry saw a 10.9% increase in job postings between February and November 2020. The technology industry was expected to continue to grow in the post-pandemic world as companies continued to invest in digital transformation. However, with the sudden drops in ad revenue and lack of consumer demand, many tech employers saw themselves struggling to stay afloat with expenses in 2022. As a result, we are witnessing massive tech layoffs in the US today.

Green Energy

The importance of climate change has become increasingly evident, and the demand for green energy has increased. The green energy industry has been growing rapidly in recent years. The green energy industry includes jobs related to renewable energy, such as solar and wind power. According to a report by the International Renewable Energy Agency, the renewable energy sector employed 11.5 million people worldwide in 2019.?The green energy industry is expected to continue to grow?in the post-pandemic world as companies invest in sustainable practices.

Another trend that has been observed in recent years is?the increasing importance of digital skills. With the rise of automation and digitalization across industries, employers are looking for candidates with strong digital skills. This includes proficiency in software and programming languages, as well as the ability to use data analytics and artificial intelligence.

There has also been an increasing focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the job market. Many companies are prioritizing DEI initiatives and looking for candidates who can help them build?a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

In addition, there has been a shift towards skills-based hiring, where employers focus more on a candidate's skills and abilities than just their education or work experience. This trend is driven by the need for more agile and adaptable workforces that can quickly adapt to changing business needs. Did you know that?some employers are even skipping job interviews in the hiring process?now?