COVID-19 jobs? Is this a real thing? Yes, COVID-19 hiring is happening despite startling unemployment statistics. In the last week, a reported 6.6 million U.S. workers filed for unemployment, and the unemployment rate has surged to over 4%. Even with these startling statistics, there are specific industries and companies offering COVID-19 hiring opportunities. Before looking to specific companies, first consider the industry demands that are highest for COVID-19 hiring.

Technology & Communications

Tech is a huge hotspot naturally, but even now at a higher level during the coronavirus. With remote work at its highest peak, productivity and video conferences companies such as Zoom, Slack, and Microsoft Teams divisions are hiring. For example, if you head over to Slack’s website, today (April 3, 2020) you will see over 200 open career opportunities advertised.  With millions of school-age children and teens forced into homeschooling, there are various educational entities hiring for online instruction. For example, Outschool announced back in mid-March that they needed 5,000 teachers for online classes.

Healthcare

If you’ve been following the news closely, you know there is a healthcare crisis – lack of supplies, lack of healthcare personnel, and uptick in need for pharmacy deliveries due to the quarantine and stay-at-home orders. CVS Health and GE Healthcare are hiring. In fact, CVS recently announced that it is hiring 50,000 workers in the midst of COVID-19. These roles include full-time, temporary, and part-time positions for stores, delivery drivers, customer service, and distribution centers. Think outside the box: telehealth services are also on the rise.

Food & Grocery Stores

Major grocery retailers cannot keep up with the demand for food and household supplies. With many restaurants closed, and stay-at-home orders in effect, grocery and food store suppliers are in the highest demand. Retailers like Kroger are hiring 20,000 workers to meet the spiked demands. Also, look to key retailers that also provide at-home delivery services such as Walmart, Target, Shipt, Instacart, and Amazon.

While the coronavirus has had a devastating immediate impact on key industries like travel, tourism, and hospitality, there has been a surge of newly created jobs in the above-mentioned industries. COVID-19 hiring is happening. Now is the time to act if you’ve been laid off or furloughed. Look to skills that are needed for these in-demand areas. You will find a lot of these skills overlap. Remember, where there is hardship, there is still room for opportunity.

Don’t forget to also read our other recent blog post filled with extensive resources and links: Job Searching During a Recession and COVID-19 Pandemic