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COVID-19 has accelerated three broad trends that may reshape work after the pandemic recedes

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COVID-19 has accelerated three broad trends that may reshape work after the pandemic recedes

The pandemic pushed companies and consumers to rapidly adopt new behaviours that are likely to stick, changing the trajectory of three groups of trends. We consequently see sharp discontinuity between their impact on labour markets before and after the pandemic.

 

1. Remote work and virtual meetings are likely to continue, albeit less intensely than at the pandemic’s peak

 

Perhaps the most obvious impact of COVID-19 on the labour force is the dramatic increase in employees working remotely. To determine how extensively remote work might persist after the pandemic, we researched its potential across more than 2,000 tasks used in some 800 occupations in the eight focus countries. Considering only remote work that can be done without a loss of productivity, we find that about 20 to 25 percent of the workforces in advanced economies could work from home between three and five days a week. This represents four to five times more remote work than before the pandemic and could prompt a large change in the geography of work, as individuals and companies shift out of large cities into rural areas and small towns. We found that some work that technically can be done remotely is best done in person. Negotiations, critical business decisions, brainstorming sessions, providing sensitive feedback, and onboarding new employees are examples of activities that may lose some effectiveness when done remotely.

 

Some companies are already planning to shift to flexible workspaces after positive experiences with remote work during the pandemic, a move that will reduce the overall space they need and bring fewer workers into offices each day. A survey of 278 executives by McKinsey in August 2020 found that on average, they planned to reduce office space by 30 percent.

 

Remote work may also put a dent in business travel as its extensive use of videoconferencing during the pandemic has ushered in a new acceptance of virtual meetings and other aspects of work. While leisure travel and tourism are likely to rebound after the crisis, it is estimated that about 20 percent of business travel, the most lucrative segment for airlines, may not return. This would have significant knock-on effects on employment in commercial aerospace, airports, hospitality, and foodservice. E-commerce and other virtual transactions are booming.

 

Many consumers discovered the convenience of e-commerce and other online activities during the pandemic. In 2020, the share of e-commerce grew at two to five times the rate before COVID-19 (Exhibit 2). Roughly three-quarters of people using digital channels for the first time during the pandemic say they will continue using them when things return to “normal.”

 

 

Other kinds of virtual transactions such as telemedicine, online banking, and streaming entertainment have also taken off. Online doctor consultations has grew more than tenfold between April and November 2020. These virtual practices may decline somewhat as economies reopen but are likely to continue well above levels seen before the pandemic.

 

This shift to digital transactions has propelled growth in delivery, transportation, and warehouse jobs. In China, e-commerce, delivery, and social media jobs grew by more than 5.1 million during the first half of 2020.

 

2. COVID-19 may propel faster adoption of automation and AI, especially in work arenas with high physical proximity

Two ways businesses historically have controlled cost and mitigated uncertainty during recessions are by adopting automation and redesigning work processes, which reduce the share of jobs involving mainly routine tasks. In a global survey of 800 senior executives in July 2020, two-thirds said they were stepping up investment in automation and AI either somewhat or significantly.

 

Many companies deployed automation and AI in warehouses, grocery stores, call centers, and manufacturing plants to reduce workplace density and cope with surges in demand. The common feature of these automation use cases is their correlation with high scores on physical proximity, and research finds the work arenas with high levels of human interaction are likely to see the greatest acceleration in adoption of automation and AI.

 

 

3. The mix of occupations may shift, with little job growth in low-wage occupations

The trends accelerated by COVID-19 may spur greater changes in the mix of jobs within economies than we estimated before the pandemic.

We find that a markedly different mix of occupations may emerge after the pandemic across the eight economies. Compared to pre-COVID-19 estimates, we expect the largest negative impact of the pandemic to fall on workers in food service and customer sales and service roles, as well as less-skilled office support roles. Jobs in warehousing and transportation may increase as a result of the growth in e-commerce and the delivery economy, but those increases are unlikely to offset the disruption of many low-wage jobs.

 

Demand for workers in the healthcare and STEM occupations may grow more than before the pandemic, reflecting increased attention to health as populations age and incomes rise as well as the growing need for people who can create, deploy, and maintain new technologies.

 

Before the pandemic, net job losses were concentrated in middle-wage occupations in manufacturing and some office work, reflecting automation, and low- and high-wage jobs continued to grow. Nearly all low-wage workers who lost jobs could move into other low-wage occupations—for instance, a data entry worker could move into retail or home healthcare. Because of the pandemic’s impact on low-wage jobs, we now estimate that almost all growth in labour demand will occur in high-wage jobs. Going forward, more than half of displaced low-wage workers may need to shift to occupations in higher wage brackets and requiring different skills to remain employed.

4 Technical & Transformational skillsets in high demand

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Businesses digital transformation requirements have accelerated with the additional demand on technology due to current circumstances. Technical and Transformational skillsets are highly sought-after now more than ever. With any change you will need people who can play various critical roles and keep your business operational, relevant and accessible. Digital transformation is about more than the technology needed to create the transformation: In fact, the technology typically takes a back seat to the other capabilities needed to make your digital transformation a success.

So, with regard to building your team, you may need to think outside the box, moving beyond the typical IT talent pool and skillsets. Building out a team of people who can flex their technical muscles when needed but can also pivot to call upon their non-technical expertise will help your organization meet the growing digital demands of IT and the business.

As a business or hiring manager focus on the areas that enable people and processes to accelerate your company’s strategy. Lead in areas such as enterprise service management, IT branding and communications, technology business management, digital adoption, and change management – all of which require skills beyond the purely technical. Likewise, other areas of your team could expand into roles including, digital solutions consultants, delivery managers, and process improvement/automation specialists.

 

4 skillsets that are in high demand

So what should you be looking for, besides the requisite (and important) technical skill sets? Consider the kinds of people listed below – and don’t be afraid to bring people onto your team who don’t have a traditional IT career path. Folks who have not spent their whole career in IT can add some unique perspectives and take the team in directions not previously considered.

Consider how potential team members could play these roles in your organization:

1. Connectors

It goes without saying that the IT team of the 21st century must be able to work with its partners across the business. But looking for connectors means finding those people who not only are good with people but also can make connections across the organization.

Connectors know people as well as the work that is happening across the organization.

They are tuned in to what is happening, not only in IT but also in other areas of the business. They know people as well as the work that is happening across the organization. They know if an initiative in IT for the finance team is related to an initiative in another area of IT supporting the sales team – and they know the people to talk to in order to make the connections.

2. Challengers

Challengers are the people who help us ensure we are doing our best work. They think critically about the path forward and are not afraid to challenge the status quo. This is different from someone who always questions things and puts up roadblocks: Challengers think strategically about the path forward and ask the “what if” and “why not” questions that are critical to any transformation.

3. Agilists

While traditional agile methodologies are important in transformation activities, an Agilist in this context is someone who can adapt to changes and unexpected turns. By definition, transformation is “a thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance” – so successful digital transformation efforts must include people who can recognize the need to change direction and quickly pivot to the new plan. They model how to effectively respond to change and will help others adapt as well.

4. Navigators

If we need to change course, navigators ensure we adjust our GPS settings to account for the re-routing across all aspects of the initiative.

Digital transformation by its very nature can be a bit chaotic and can veer into the tendency to chase the next “bright shiny object.” Navigators define the route and help keep the ship headed in the right direction; they remind us where we are trying to go and the path we agreed to take. And if we need to change course, they help us ensure we adjust our GPS settings to account for the re-routing across all aspects of the initiative.

As the IT landscape continues to evolve, how we support and partner with the business will continue to evolve as well. Focusing on both technical and transformational skillsets in your business will set the stage for success today and in the future. For more information on how to hire digital experts for your business or find a job that will challenge you, please get in touch.

5 TOP TIPS WHEN CHANGING YOUR CAREER

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Changing careers can seem like a daunting prospect but it can be a great opportunity for you. It offers you the chance to build new skills and find new challenges. Many people change careers for a variety of reasons such as job burnout, better salary or simply trying to find a better work life balance. The main question of course is where do you start, who could you consult about it? There is plenty of help and guidance out there to support you especially recruitment agencies. They will offer support in areas such as updating your CV, preparing for interviews and all the other things you need in your career change toolbox. To help you on your way here are 5 top tips to guide you in that promising career change.

  1. Update Your CV.

Your CV is one of your most important tools in order to enter a new field so it is vitally important it is completely updated. Employers will look at your CV, your many experiences and why you would be a strong fit for this position. Ensure you highlight your strengths and your experience and skills relating to the role.  This is also a huge chance to display your transferable skills that you can bring to a new position. There are also plenty of CV workshops if you are unsure as to how you should go about updating your CV. Contact your local recruitment agency as they will have knowledge of upcoming workshops.

  1. Update your skills.

Changing career will allow you to develop and update your skillset, lifelong learning is expected from all employers so they will want to hear and see what you have been doing to stay relevant.  New skills can not only help further your career but help strengthen your soft skills such as your confidence and communication. Whilst it is good to build new skills it does not mean the skills from your previous work are to be discarded. A new work environment allows you to transfer those skills and further utilize them. Examples of transferable skills are those such as teamwork and organization.

  1. LinkedIn

LinkedIn is the perfect opportunity to develop your personal brand online and showcase your digital presence. There are several ways to promote yourself on LinkedIn than just writing down your experiences. You can let recruiters know that you are open to job opportunities by updating your personal headline. You can display your skills which your connections can endorse you for and you can also receive recommendations from former colleagues/professional connections. You can now upload examples of your work/portfolio to LinkedIn so potential employers can see your strengths and how you could be the perfect fit for their organization.

  1. Networking

There is no greater opportunity than to make new professional connections than networking. Since you will be changing careers, research the field you wish to enter and any upcoming events in this area you can attend. Social platforms such as Eventbrite and Meetup are good to network with people that have a similar interest or attend a company event that you wish to work for.

Don’t be afraid to approach people and ask for advice or guidance as to how you can enter this sector or of any new job openings. Also inquire about training or workshops to help further your potential in this industry.

  1. Prepare for Interviews  

Finally make sure you prepare for any upcoming interviews. This will help with your confidence and your ability to have two way conversations. Please highlight relevant experience and prepare your answers and examples around the key problems that needs solved by the employer. Dress suitably for the interview. Ensure you know the travel route and arrive at least 10 minutes early. There is plenty of available guidance to help you prepare for interviews so check out our website for more interview hints and tips.

 

 

 

Why is January the Best Time to Find a Job?

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January 2020 – Is the Best Time to Find a Job

During the Christmas period it can be a struggle to search for a new job, but once that’s over it is a brand-new year, and some say it is the perfect opportunity to find a new career. January has been classed as the hunting season when it comes to finding a new job. So, if you are one of those people that has ‘find a new job’ on their New year’s resolution list then listed below are some reasons why January is the perfect month to job hunt and what you can do to prepare yourself.

Why is it the best month?

Employers are looking for new employees

In the New Year employers are feeling motivational and are eager to see what talent they can employ. They have a clearer mindset at this time of the year as they are less likely to be tied down to deadlines and projects. As January is the month for job hunting, there is a lot more competition for employers to choose from. Having a greater talent pool will enable employers to choose carefully resulting in a greater chance of your CV needing to impress them.

New budgets

The first few months of the year are normally the best times to apply for new jobs. Many job deadlines close at the end of January, so it allows for candidates plenty of time to apply within the New Year. Employers are also given a new budget at the start of every year, so this gives candidates a better chance at finding a new job and being hired. The salary is the main factor a candidate will look at when applying for a new job, so linking this with a company’s new budgets may mean the company will have more money to give to candidates.

What you can do to prepare yourself

Update your CV

When applying for new job in January it is essential that you keep your CV updated to keep track of your most recent skills and progression. Your CV is the first thing an employer will look at and it is your chance to stand out from the crowd, therefore making it a crucial factor when you are trying to start a new career. The key areas of your CV that you will need to keep updated are:

  • Your skills (technical and soft)
  • Employment history
  • Work experience
  • Qualifications

Once you have updated your CV it is important for you to understand exactly what job you are looking for. Applying for jobs you are marginally interested in will not benefit you in the future as this will impact your engagement, performance and success. Instead of applying for any job, try and find roles that you are passionate about and perhaps create a list that aligns with your personality, skills and interests. From this you are able to understand what companies you want to apply for and why.

You can also register with a recruitment agency that specialise in your area of interest and skills. Having a professional confidant in the industry can help you find jobs that may not be advertised on generic job boards.

 

Practice interview answers

For some it may have been a while since you have been interviewed and therefore it will be beneficial to practice some generic interview questions. If you have been invited for an interview, do not wait until the night before to go through potential interview questions, you should start preparing as soon as you can. The majority of employers will always start with questions about yourself such as ‘Tell me about yourself’ or ‘What do you do in your spare time’. Following this they may ask you some competency questions which are based on your previous experience and certain situations you may have found yourself in. Competency based interview questions are a good way of an employer finding out how you would handle certain situations if they were ever to arise, and this can say a lot about you. It is also a good idea to know what you are looking for from the jobs you have applied for. This way if you are asked during the interview process, you can answer in a matter of seconds.

Some companies will have a long interview process which can last a few months, whereas other companies may invite you in for an interview within the next week. Therefore, you should always be prepared and have an interview outfit ready, so you feel well equipped for when the day comes. You can check out other interview hint and tips here: https://2icglobal.com/interview-hints-tips/

 

Update your social presence

Although your CV and cover letter will be the first documents an employer will look at, it is also beneficial to keep your social channels up to date. Recruiters may look at your LinkedIn for example to see if your experience matches up with your experience on your CV. More employers are using LinkedIn and may want to view your profile before calling you. You should ensure that you have a professional photo on your profile, your work experience is up to date and you have the relevant skills listed as this can be a decider for some employers.

 

Good luck! We wish you the best in achieving your career goals this year, and hope you’ll be in touch with us if you’re looking for a change so we can help.

7 Benefits of working within an SME vs Large Corporate

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A large enterprise or corporate businesses offer big benefits and perks like good salaries, a fancy workplace, etc. but when it comes to personal or professional growth, SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) play an important role. Working in a small business, offers an abundance of benefits, as it recognises the potential and value of every employee.

Small businesses offer exceptional career opportunities to its employees, giving them a chance to stand out in the workplace. Working in a small or medium enterprise (SME), connects an individual to the senior management, allowing greater exposure to widen an individual’s skill set.

Listed below are 7 benefits of working within an SME:

  1. Widens your skill-set: Working in SMEs leads to a better understanding of the job role, helping develop and broaden your skill-set. Small businesses develop their employee’s overall skills set and encourage their entrepreneurial drive. They get an on-the-job, first-hand experience to understand and introspect the business better.

 

  1. Advancement in the career graph: With ample opportunities to learn, all individuals get a platform to showcase their talent towards a positive progress in the company.

 

  1. Offers employee-centric work culture:A smaller workplace leads to more cohesion amongst the team. An employee centric work culture leads to a better understanding amongst professionals and greater transparency in workflow, which is crucial to an organisation’s growth. Unlike a large company, an SME creates an atmosphere that is more nurturing than that found in companies with thousands of employees.

 

  1. Client-facing roles which facilitate better customer- centricity: Employees working in SMEs are in a direct client facing role, mostly. This lets the employees of SMEs understand the clients’ ask better, to give them a customised solution.

 

  1. Adaptable and Flexible:A large company often has a complex structure whereas an SME has a more flexible work policy. This allows an SME professional, to contribute more to the company than someone of an equivalent designation in an MNC (multinational corporation).

 

  1. Rapid Response to Change:A simpler structured SME allows even junior level employees to learn more about the company’s industry as compared to employees of similar ranks in huge multinationals. Employees who work in an SME intimately feel the pulse of their industry. Also because SMEs have a simpler corporate hierarchy, employees of such companies are able to understand and adapt more quickly to changes in their industry.

 

  1. Greater Learning from Niche Industries:Many of the world’s largest companies are also the customers of equally large companies. This often means that many of the smaller niche segments in an industry are serviced by smaller and medium-sized businesses. This creates a niche that is ideal for SMEs to exploit and allow those working there, to gain better insight into niche industries and market segments.

 

Working in any organisation opens avenues for many learning experiences. SMEs stand apart from their larger counterparts because of their ability to help employees grow in a manner, which is unique and distinct from the kind of growth possible in companies that have a thousand or more employees.

We are partnered with some amazing SMEs throughout the UK that offer excellent benefits including personal and professional growth . Check out some of the latest featured jobs that could be right for you.  

5 Reasons To Follow A Career As A Project Manager

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Project managers are always in demand: No matter what the industry, qualified professionals are always needed to plan and provision the work. Of course, that’s just the high-level view of project management, which can be a complex and rewarding career. Why project management? If you’ve wondered whether becoming a project manager is right for you, hopefully we can help clarify why project management might be your best career move.

What Do Project Managers Do?

The basic principles of project management include planning, organising, securing, controlling, leading and managing resources and tasks to achieve specific business goals. Project managers determine strategies to kick off the project, evaluate and understand the project requirements, analyse and bring the required professionals on board, and monitor the progress of the work.

In addition, a project manager also:

·        Sets the budget for the work

·        Leads meetings to track the project’s progress

·        Sets the schedule and time frame for the project and all sub projects

·        Decides how the work will be completed

·        Reports on progress to stakeholders

Juggling multiple projects, schedule, and tasks can be extremely difficult, but with training and experience, individuals can learn to handle this and more.

Scope of Project Management

Like many jobs, project management requires a person to have a variety of skills to be successful. In addition to keen organisational skills, project managers should also be effective problem solvers, and be clear communicators. For those who enjoy varied responsibilities, project management may be a good match.

Some other reasons to follow a career into project management include the following.

1.   The demand for project managers is high. The Project Management Institute (PMI) expects 22 million new project management job openings through 2027.

2.   Project managers are needed in a wide variety of industries. Although quite common in the IT field, project-oriented work is also common in the business service, oil and gas, finance and insurance, manufacturing, construction and utility industries—all over the world.

3.   Salaries for project managers are competitive. An Entry-level project manager salary can range from £25,000+.

4.   Working with project teams and clients can add a lot of variety and creative challenges to the job.

5.   Project managers are always learning. They must regularly refresh their knowledge of processes and structures, new markets, technology, products and services, and customers.

Are you currently working as an Account Executive, Project Co-Coordinator or similar, and are ready to take the next step in your career as a Project Manager? Contact one of our Recruitment Experts for some free confidential advice and support. You can also check out some of our Project Management jobs here now.

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