Following the coronavirus-related interruption in 2020, a rise in online job advertising (Ojas) in Cedefop’s Skills-OVATE tool implies that Europe’s labour market rebounded back in 2021. Last year, the number of Ojas was 52 percent greater than the previous year and nearly double that of the pre-pandemic year 2019, especially in the case of pharmacy jobs.
Although such job posting intensity does not always translate into job creation and employment growth, Jiri Branka of Cedefop points out that the patterns clearly indicate that the search for talent is on the rise, and business is getting more confident as the recovery advances. Cedefop’s newest Skills-OVATE release contains new data dashboards that provide insight into skills and employment trends, in addition to including job adverts gathered in all 2021 quarters. The recovery of the OJA market shows the European economy’s response to the post-pandemic reality. According to Cedefop data, the pharmacy jobs market has swiftly recovered. In the second half of 2020, a major increase in Ojas was observed, at a time when uncertainty about prospects and Covid-19 dangers was equivalent to the spring of that year when the pandemic was at its peak. As a result of the pandemic, more people are looking for jobs online.
The pandemic has had a structural influence in addition to transient alterations in pharmacy job dynamics. It indicates that social distancing tactics have led to an increase in the usage of online job portals for recruiting. Ojas for positions in production and construction, as well as health and social care — occupations that were less marketed via digital methods prior to the pandemic – surged the most in comparison to 2019. The hotel, commerce, and personal services industries are some significant instances of profiles where a clear transition from traditional recruiting methods to internet job advertisements was evident. The rise in online job postings for ICT, science, and engineering professionals (91 percent) even outpaced the growth in scientific and technology positions for ICT, science, and engineering professionals. While the above illustrates important developments in Europe’s online job markets, Skills-OVATE has a lot of promise for digging deeper into how the pandemic and its aftermath, as well as megatrends like digitalization and greening, are transforming European labour markets.
Cedefop will extend its Skills-OVATE study in 2022, with the goal of monitoring trends and informing and shaping European VET and skills policy. More data insights will be released in the next weeks and months.
How to Find What You Really Want in the Post-Pandemic Job Market
The COVID crisis of last year sparked significant political, economic, and even personal transformation throughout the world. Many people found they were dissatisfied and struggled to find purpose in such trying circumstances as a result of the isolation brought on by lockdowns, remote work, or even job losses. The epidemic was indeed disastrous on many levels, but it also provided an opportunity for serious thought. What you desired before the epidemic was very certainly one of the numerous shifts you experienced last year.
Whether you know it or not, you started 2021 as a different person, with different professional demands, ambitions, and beliefs. It’s understandable, given how the staff had to adjust to remote work, lost sales, and the expected high turnover rate, dubbed the “turnover tsunami” by some. As we move closer to a post-pandemic world, we’re cautiously hopeful, with the employment market in the United States beginning to re-stabilize while also anticipating a massive influx of workers and labourers searching for new jobs. According to a recent Prudential research, 26% of American employees will be looking for employment this year, with other estimates estimating that figure to be closer to 50%. If you’re one of them, now is the moment to find out who you are in the aftermath of the epidemic, what you really want in the future, and how to obtain it.
Getting Ready for a Job Search
What type of environment do you want to be a part of right now? Which type of leader do you aspire to be? Alternatively, under what management style do you thrive? These are just a handful of the numerous inquiries you’ll have throughout this time. The pandemic crisis, on the other hand, was a period of immense upheaval, pushing everyone to react quickly to circumstances they couldn’t control. It may be difficult to take a break right now, but it’s critical not to react hastily to unemployment, underemployment, or change. Take a step back and give yourself some time to consider your future moves and devise a good approach. This is particularly important if you are presently working but considering changing jobs. Taking a minute to reflect on your current situation might be the difference between finding an influential, supportive environment to work in moving ahead and having to start the hunt all over again next year.
5 Cognitive Biases That Are Preventing You From Achieving Your Goals
Get a Clear Picture of What’s Working and What Isn’t
Your initial instinct could be to consider what you love, what challenges you, and what you want from a profession… However, this can be difficult. You just don’t know what works best for you at the moment. It could be helpful to begin by jotting down what doesn’t work for you. What are the reasons you are considering a career move if you are presently employed? Is the existing management style incompatible with the type of employee you are? Is there a lack of possibilities to help you advance professionally? Is the workplace culture outdated or discriminatory? If you’re unemployed, you may also ask yourself these questions.
If you left on your own, think back on the events that led to your departure. If you were laid off as a result of the epidemic, use this time to think optimistically about the changes ahead of you: what will you miss about your previous job?
When the time comes to start looking for a career, the answers to these questions will aid you in your investigation. If your previous employer was strict about paid time off, for example, you may look for firms that give limitless PTO (yes, they do!). You should also educate yourself on the various leadership styles so that you can firmly choose which works best for you and which does not. If you’re not sure what your next professional move should be, I recommend asking yourself two questions: “what am I highly competent at doing?” and “what do I like doing?” The intersection of these two is typically a smart place to start when trying to figure out what your next step should be, as it will help you rule out possibilities that aren’t a suitable fit for your passion or skill set.
Examine your values and priorities.
Similarly to writing down everything that isn’t working for you, it’s also a good idea to write down what speaks to you when it comes to priorities. What are the things that are most important to you? Of course, this is a complex question, but it may be as simple as asking yourself, “What do you want to achieve in your career?” Maybe you’ve never worked in management, but you’ve always wanted to be a great leader. Maybe you’ve always suspected that you’d be a great leader but haven’t yet got the chance.
Perhaps you will discover that particular advantages, such as professional development opportunities or tuition reimbursement, are important to you. Based on your self-reflection, you may have realized that there wasn’t enough accountability at your previous company, and that accountability is now a high priority for you. There are a lot of ways to go with this: Is it necessary to take risks? Discipline? A work environment that encourages workers to have fun (e.g., team-building exercises or a trip to an Escape Room)? What types of creative projects are important to you? Make a list of anything that comes to mind, even if you’re not sure it’s a genuine priority. Once you’ve ranked your values and priorities from most essential to least important, you’ll know.
Pay Closer Attention to Your Social Media Network
Don’t waste time losing connection with some of your most important contacts. Because of the epidemic last year, no one has the same societal expectations anymore. It’s time to dust out your LinkedIn profile, update it, and re-activate your network if you haven’t done so in a while.
