One of the most important social issues people around the world are currently facing is unemployment. Even before the mid-pandemic, many are already having a hard time finding jobs. But the problem is not due to the lack of jobs in the market pre-pandemic. In 2018, there are 6.4 million people out of work and 6.7 million jobs available. This only means there are
more job hiring than unemployed people in the past
Fast forward to the present, many are left jobless after the pandemic. The crisis caused their business to shut down. Others were wrongfully terminated after they’d questioned their company’s failure to impose health and safety measures resulting in the filing for a
personal injury lawsuit.
Even as the economy slowly starts to open up, many are still looking for jobs but haven’t got any luck. Millions of unemployment claims were filed but most are delayed, if not given at all. Now, many people are left facing different pandemic-related employment challenges.
Skills Mismatch
Many companies are looking forward to hiring many talented individuals out there. But what makes it challenging is the fact that there is a skills mismatch in different industries. Employers are seeking applicants who possess the right skills to get the job done, but the people applying for such jobs don’t have the right education and training demanded.
In a nutshell, there can be various types of skills mismatch. Some are the following.
- Overqualified or Under-skilled
Some applicants have skills above the position they are applying for. There are also those people who have skills below the requirements. This usually occurs when one’s field of education does not match with the occupation.
Employers are often
intimidated to hire overqualified candidates since their rate can be quite expensive and out of their league. Hiring managers often fear that such candidates can easily get bored since they will be taking on jobs that are too easy for them. There is also a chance that such an employee can either intimidate their superiors or easily leave the company to go after a better opportunity.
On the other hand, hiring under-skilled applicants can be a risky and costly move. For one, they need to be trained vigorously to ensure the quality of their work. They may accept a lower wage, but not many companies are willing to take the risk.
This type of issue is well-known in numerous industries. If you don’t have the right level of skills, training, and experience, you can’t apply for certain skilled occupations. No firm organization will risk hiring an applicant short of skills. One reason for the skills shortage is the fact that many Baby Boomers already retired but did not train enough successors to take their positions.
This refers to people who used to be qualified but no longer have the skills to tackle current tasks due to industrial restructuring. Others have skills but are no longer required in their industry. There could be a changing demand in the market, prompting hiring managers to hire more advanced workers.
Unwillingness to Relocate
Many people find remote working to be an extremely satisfying perk. Having the flexibility to enjoy work-life balance is still a dream to many, especially today’s younger generations. Many are
unwilling to relocate to another city or state and would rather go on looking for jobs that will either offer remote working opportunities or won’t demand them to move houses.
For one, relocating is nowhere cheap. Some are not willing to leave or move their families from one place to another just to take a new job. Many are also afraid to make such a huge decision since they are already comfortable in where they are currently living.
Family Concerns
Some people are torn between being employed or unemployed. Those with a job are worried about catching the virus and infecting their loved ones as well. They are afraid of their own health as well as the safety of their families but are also afraid to go unemployed and have no money to support their loved ones.
For those who are unemployed, they are also afraid of the pandemic but also worry about childcare once they start working again. These days, it can be extremely hard to find someone to look after the kids while you work. It can be extremely difficult to focus on your job if you have a million other things plaguing your mind.
Digital Divide
Even with the huge number of people who now have access to modern information and communication technology, many still don’t have enough access to such technology. Many also have limited computer skills which is a demand of most companies these days. If you don’t have your own equipment, lack the knowledge to use one, and can’t offer employers the services they need, then it will be hard to find a remote job during the pandemic.
The pandemic caused job seekers to lose their jobs and even made it hard for many to find a new job. During these trying times, the only way to succeed in job hunting is to know where to find jobs, have the right skills for the job you are applying for, and to be willing to make certain sacrifices to make it work. This could mean updating or learning new skills, relocating, or investing in both skills and equipment to land a remote job mid pandemic.
