The COVID-19 pandemic has been a lot to deal with—all of us are facing new challenges, feeling confused about our present state of limbo, and dealing with insecurity about what the future looks like. And for job seekers—including those who were unemployed prior to the eruption of the virus as well as those who have been laid off or unemployed since it hit American businesses hard—what comes next is even more uncertain.
However, know there is a silver lining in our “gig” economy.
Companies Hiring Right Now
Here are some opportunities to check out if you have found yourself unemployed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Admittedly, these are not six-figure jobs, but at the end of the day, they do provide a paycheck.
- Grocery stores and delivery services: No one can underscore the importance of grocery stores right now—nor can we discount the role that grocery store workers are playing. Many companies like Safeway, Meijer, and Kroger are hiring delivery staff and in-store shelf stockers. Additionally, services such as Shipt and Instacart are hiring.
- Online tutoring and learning companies: Since the majority of children nationwide are out of school—and are likely to be through the end of the term, online learning and tutoring platforms are expanding immensely. Take a look at Outschool, Tutor.com, Sylvan Learning, TheOne, Preply, and Upwork.
- Childcare is in hot demand: Parents are really stretched thin as they try to balance childcare with their own work-from-home schedules. Therefore, if you have experience as a nanny or a babysitter, and have some references to back you up, check out Care.com, NannyPod, GreatAuPair, and Sittercity.com. Parents post what they are looking for on many of these sites and if you feel like you are a match, you can apply directly.
- Food delivery services: Companies like Postmates, GrubHub, and DoorDash are actively looking for workers to join their fleet. Of course, these are companies that require you to have access to your own transportation (or a bike depending on where you live), so keep in mind that you will also have to pay for your own gas (plus side, it’s cheap right now).
- Pharmacy stores: Companies such as Walgreens and CVS are seeking to fill thousands of positions across the country to keep up with the demand that is being placed on their stores.
- com: This organization seeks to fill work-from-home opportunities that provides technical and customer service support related to help desk, IT assistance, virtual call centers, and more. For IT professionals who need a temporary gig, this might be the opportunity for you.
- Get creative: If you have experience in writing, editing, graphic design, illustration, or other creative inclinations, check out freelance sites such as Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer.com, Flex Jobs, and Simply Hired. You might find an opportunity that aligns with your skills and puts money in your pocket while you wait for your next full-time opportunity.
There is no denying that our current economy and work environment is humbling—and scary. And we know that everyone has their own set of fears about the future. However, we encourage you to use this time to think creatively, imagine alternate possibilities, learn new skills, and even get used to adapting and evolving your mindset so you are able to come out on the other side of this pandemic in a positive way.
And if you simply want to prep for the future and make sure you are ready to hit the ground running when employers start hiring again, then don’t hesitate to reach out to our resume writing team for help. We are practicing the art of social distancing but that hasn’t stopped us from scheduling resume consultations via the phone or on video conferencing. We would love to help craft a resume or LinkedIn profile that leaves you feeling confident and prepared for when our society reopens, and we begin again. Give us a call at 803-831-7444 or visit us online at www.chicresumes.com whenever you are ready. Remember, we are all in this together.
