Applying for a new job when everything has changed

If you've recently lost your job, there are several options to keep you job hunting productively during a pandemic.

The first thing to do is make some decisions about a new direction for your career - several financial advisers and money and life coaches tell me you won't make much progress unless you know where it is you want to be.

Ask yourself whether you want to jump straight back into the workforce. Do you want to do the same job you had before? What are you prepared to do? Also think about whether your next job is likely to be short term or long term.

When you're ready to work again, expect the application process to take longer now. Employers will take their time because conversations around working-from-home arrangements and other conditions will need to be considered.

This doesn't mean you shouldn't be flexible. Be prepared for job interviews via video and potentially with not too much notice. Also, look at what your options might be in the gig economy.

Use your downtime to update your resume or portfolio, as well as your LinkedIn account, other websites or social media accounts that might be applicable to your line of work. Job hunting can be all about the personal brand.

Kendra Banks, Seek Australia and New Zealand's managing director, says organisations servicing the retail sector (warehouses, distribution centres), and parts of healthcare have an urgent need for skilled and non-skilled workers.

"As businesses pivot to virtual and online delivery of goods and services, and many employees work from home, there is increased demand for cyber security specialists and technology and product specialists to support these transitions. We are also seeing the impact of large organisations like banks, insurance, telecommunications and airlines bringing their call centre and shared services back to Australian shores," says Banks.

"The uptick in resources sees large resource companies hiring for highly skilled roles such as diesel fitters, auto electricians, as well as general skilled roles such as truck drivers and diggers."

Seek runs a weekly trends report that indicates where people are hiring and what jobs are available. These have recently included:

• Essential retail services - think warehouses and distribution centres.
• Manufacturing - there's large demand for household staples.
• Mining and resources - skilled roles such as diesel fitters and auto electricians.
• Virtual working/digitisation - software development and cyber security.
• Family support - nannies and tutors.
• Healthcare - across all sectors, from aged care nurses to surgeons to pharmacists.
• Customer support - call centre operators and managers and customer support staff.

Get stories like this in our newsletters.