If you find yourself unexpectedly out of a job in the madness that is this economy since COVID-19 struck, you’re not alone.

Most of us have seen the massive unemployment numbers, and even those of us who still retain close-to-normal-levels of employment wonder when our luck may run out.

So let’s all take a collective deep breath and just acknowledge that we’re all doing the very best we can. Many of us are suddenly facing completely new and totally unexpected problems, and it’s okay to feel angry or upset or helpless when these things happen.

But let’s also try to remember that, even in times when so much is out of our hands, there are things we can control.

And even when so much is unpredictable, there are clues to where you might find success, if you know where to look. So where do you start?

If you’re in immediate need for a job, any job:

You can turn to gig-based companies like online tutoring, meal delivery services, grocery delivery services, Amazon delivery, TaskRabbit, LocalSolo, etc. If you have a marketable skill, you can use sites like Fiverr, Freelancer.com, Gigster, FlexJobs, etc. You can even make some extra side money taking online surveys through websites like SurveyJunkie, SwagBucks, InboxDollars, and Pinecone Research.

In searching online for jobs through Indeed.com, you can use search terms like “urgently hiring” or “immediately hiring” to find jobs that fit that description. (This is an apparently well-kept secret that I recently learned about, myself.)

If you have time to put together a strategy:

In the last couple of weeks, I’ve been thinking a lot about which industries have been hit hard by the pandemic, and which ones have actually thrived.

For instance, Zoom became an instant hit when the stay at home orders started to go out, because it was a platform for online video meeting in a time when the need for that service suddenly became ubiquitous.

Another example is that, even though I was very worried that my own business would be dealt a huge blow, is actually weathering the storm okay (so far!).

So, my advice to you would be to spend some time looking for the industries that are surviving through, and even benefitting from, the current changes in the job market. And try to think ahead to understand which of these changes will be temporary, which are more likely to stick around, and which businesses will benefit in the long term.

Here’s a short list you may want to start with:

• Telecommunications: Zoom, Loom, Dubsado, Trello, ClickUp, etc.
• Remote Learning platforms: Coursera, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, CodeAcademy, ABCMouse, Adventure Academy, etc.
• Online Entertainment & Gaming: Hulu, Netflix, Blizzard, EA, etc.
• Restaurant Delivery: UberEats, GrubHub, DoorDash, etc.
• Grocery Delivery: Kroger, Walmart, etc.
• Product Delivery: Amazon, Walmart, etc.
• Meal Kit Delivery: Blue Apron, HelloFresh, etc.

Certainly, there are more, and I encourage you to devote time to doing some research on your own. If you can identify the industries and companies likely to thrive during these times, you can start to figure out the types of roles you’re qualified for within them.

It may take some creativity, but shifting in a new direction and positioning yourself to be valuable in a changing job market is the best way to ensure your own success. (Read more about making a successful career change here)

How to find companies that are hiring *right now*

I recently saw a post from Austin Belcak that included a fantastic resource (from Candor.co), showing *live* information on hiring trends, layoffs, and hiring freezes. (Since Candor focuses predominantly on tech-related positions, this resource may be best for those in a tech-related field)

Fortune recently put out an article detailing companies hiring during the pandemic, as did CNBC, CNN, and The Muse. Resources like these will help you dedicate your time and effort toward companies and industries with a high likelihood for success.

Key Takeaways

It’s true that we’re dealing with an unparalleled level of uncertainty in the current job market. But if you can buckle down, get resourceful, and think strategically about your next move, you’ll be putting yourself in the best possible position to weather this proverbial storm.

If you’re struggling with the idea (or the logistics!) of shifting to remote work, check out Remote Ready (a Crash Course on Adapting to a Remote Workforce), a resource I put together to help out during these complex times. (It’s totally free – you don’t even have to give your email address.)