If there’s one thing many of us can agree on, it’s probably the fact that 2020 wasn’t the best year ever. Another fact we can probably all agree on is that the pandemic has permanently altered the job market. While we know this to be true, what does it entail exactly? How are things going to change?

While we can’t tell the future, we can make a few predictions. Below we’ve compiled what we believe you should be prepared for in the upcoming year. If you want to make the most of your 2021, consider the following:

In your job search

By November of 2020, the unemployment rate in the United States was 6.7%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). If you were one of the unfortunate folks to have been laid off this past year, you may still be struggling to find a replacement job, which is certainly not an easy task. As more and more people were laid off, the competition became fiercer.

Entry-level professionals and recent college graduates were forced to compete for the same roles as seasoned professionals. And these seasoned professionals were being passed by because they were deemed over-qualified. Few people were winning in these situations. If you’re still searching for a job going into the new year, here’s our advice.

Recruiters are broadening their search, so you should be too

Thanks to the increased normalcy of remote work, companies are broadening their horizons for where they seek new talent. And you should be doing the same in your job search. Don’t place boundaries on yourself. If your dream job is in Nashville, Tennessee, but you currently live in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, you should still apply so long as the job listing mentions that the position is remote.

Again, competition is fierce. If you only search for jobs within a 20-mile radius from where you live now, you’re only going to limit yourself. In your job search, change the role type to be remote and pay less attention to location.

Job listings will not be open for long; don’t hesitate

When mass layoffs started in March, I’m not sure anyone was prepared for the effects to continue on this long. But then again, we weren’t really expecting the pandemic to happen the way it did either. As a result, those who are still unemployed are truly fighting to land a position.

Your competition isn’t going to hesitate to apply to jobs they’re interested in, and you shouldn’t be either. By the time you take a day to think about it or have your documents in order, tons of other people have already applied. Some may have even been called back. Don’t rush your application process, but do be prepared and willing to take the time to apply properly.

Job seekers are going to be trying to stand out; you need to stand out more

If you haven’t gotten this point yet, we’ll say it again. The competition is fierce. The resume your competitors are applying with highlights their achievements and is aligned with each and every job listing. You need to be doing the same if not more. If you’re unsure of how to do so, we recommend hiring a professional resume writer.

Hiring a professional resume writer helps to ensure your resume will defeat an applicant tracking system (ATS), be aligned with your desired role, and highlight your achievements properly. You can contact our team here to find out more.

In the workplace

Whether you have been working over these past few months or are hoping to be working in the next few months, there’s been many apparent changes. The biggest change, which we already touched on, is that almost all positions are working mostly, if not completely, remote. The days of going into the office five days a week are over for the foreseeable future.

Remote work has its pros and cons much like anything else. To make the most of your time, you’ll need to be prepared for what working remotely indefinitely really entails.

Technical skills will be a must

By this point, you’ve probably already learned to navigate Zoom, one of the more common telecommunications platforms. However, there are tons of other software programs being utilized by remote workers to stay connected with their team. Below are some common software programs companies have been using to help them stay productive and communicate with their team:

• Trello – project management
• Slack – communications
• Google Workspace – document management

Knowing how to use and navigate these platforms will help you prepare to work remotely long-term. However, these examples only scratch the surface of what’s out there. If you’re still trying to land a position, familiarize yourself with the software used by your desired companies to help prepare you and give you an edge over your competition.

We also recommend looking into LinkedIn Learning where you can take online courses to learn these crucial skills. In order to access these courses, you’ll need a LinkedIn profile. Read this article if you still need to create your account.

Employees will be remote or may work a hybrid schedule

Now that employers realize they can function well while having the majority of their staff working remotely, it’s likely to stay that way. Some organizations may also choose to adopt a hybrid schedule where team members come in a few days each week or only when necessary.

As either a job seeker or an employee, you’ll want to consider what adjustments need to be made for you to effectively work remotely. Do you have a dedicated space for work? Do you have the tools you need to get your work done efficiently? There’s much to be taken into consideration. For more help on staying motivated while working remotely, check out this article.

The new year brings with it new opportunities, but it can also bring challenges. To help increase your odds of having a successful year, it’s good to be prepared for both. We hope this advice helps, and we can’t wait to provide you with more great advice in 2021. Good luck and have a happy New Year!