“Jobs in 2020 a challenge but opportunities are returning In 2021”, says Pincap MD Praveen Sinha

The coronavirus has not only taken away many jobs but it has also radically changed the job market for the future. Millions of jobs have been lost over the last few months globally affecting every income group and disrupting demand and economies in its wake. “In terms of redundancies and new roles created, the pandemic has pushed us 5 years into the future when 85 million jobs were supposed to be disrupted due to automation. So, while some jobs will probably never come back, many new opportunities have been created”, says  Praveen Sinha Pincap MD. According to a survey, 80% of the businesses are planning on accelerating the adoption of digital work processes which could lead to automation of over 50% job roles.

So just how does a job seeker adapt to the greatest shock to the job market since the Recession of 2008?

If you are out of work or are just looking for a new opportunity, here are some tips to prepare yourself for the next step in your career –

1. Use the downtime to add a digital skill

   – There are several digital courses on design, content creation, marketing etc. that you can take on the internet for a nominal fee. In the current job market, this would serve you well.
   
   

2. Expand your connections both online and offline

   – Networking is the need of the hour and if you have not done or have avoided it for a while, it is time to get back to it. Connect with relevant people in your industry and set alerts for the type of jobs that interest you. Something or the other will peak your interest.
   
   

3. Internships –

   If you are a fresher and finding opportunities hard to come by, then consider taking up an internship with an established company in your industry.
   
   

4. Enlist with a placement agency –

   A good placement can not only get you employment but also ensure you are being compensated well for your services. Just make sure you choose the right one for yourself.
   
   

5. Consider contractual jobs –

   Contractual jobs are gaining a lot of traction in these times as companies look to hire on project basis. As long as you do not find something permanent, contractual jobs will help pay the bills.
   
   

6. Freelancing –

   Being a freelancer  allows you to work from anywhere and for anyone. Sign up on platforms like Fiverr, Freelancer or Upwork and look for the right opportunities.
   
   

7. Ditch the job search and start a business –

   If you have enough years in your belt and have finances handy or a good credit score, this could be the time to start building your dream business.

“We are entering a new era where the dynamics have changed. Job roles such as assembly/factory workers, data entry clerks, bookkeepers etc. are losing their relevance and will inevitably be phased out in favour of automation. However, automated processes or assets would still need supervision and hence, humans would not be rendered irrelevant for the time being. The job market is filled with opportunities for software engineers, big data and AI specialists, UI/UX/Graphic Designers and content creators etc and I expect many more new job roles to emerge, which were unheard of 10 years back,” concludes Praveen Sinha.