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DOLE: Emerging jobs in the new normal

By Paula Delos Reyes, Contributor

#DOLECareerReports #NewNormalJobs #CandidateGuide #JobHuntingTips

DOLE assures workforce: New jobs are being created amid COVID-19 crisis

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the way we work. Times have changed and the conditions for finding jobs and even its availability may have changed. Rest assured that we at Xcruit are dedicated to connecting employees and employers, and supporting the Filipino workforce in every way that we can.

In a recent Facebook live event we hosted at Xcruit ThinkTank, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) discussed the state of employment following the COVID-19 crisis. Grace Baldoza, Deputy Manager of DOLE–Bureau of Local Employment, enlightened us about job trends, emerging careers, and in-demand skills as we face the new normal.

The impact of COVID-19 on jobs

DOLE has earlier estimated that around 10 million Filipinos will lose their jobs this year due to the crisis. Most of those affected belong to the service sector, particularly tourism. As the country and the rest of the world were ordered to stay at home to help slow the spread of COVID, we’ve witnessed how shops we normally visit on a day-to-day basis, such as restaurants and fitness studios, have closed or paused their operations.

At the same time, this gave an opportunity for other industries to boom and new jobs to emerge as we face the new normal. The most evident was the rise in the demand for medical professionals from the early stages of the pandemic. Healthcare workers and frontliners stepped up to combat the virus.

In addition to this growing demand, DOLE also forecasts aggressive hiring for digital careers, including work from home (WFH) jobs. Adjusting to the new normal also means there will be new needs, such as reliance on getting things done online and on delivery service. For certain, technology will fuel growth and new jobs. We’ll see growth and hiring in roles that address our current needs, such as:

Enabling digital transformation

Businesses are moving online. With physical distancing measures implemented globally, people rely on online purchases and delivery service as compared to visiting brick-and-mortar stores. In addition to app developers who make e-commerce possible, there’s also an increasing need for cybersecurity experts,e-mail or chat support agents,search engine optimization (SEO) professionals, and digital marketing experts.

Developing new skills for the new normal

Shifting businesses online and to homes also translates to a shift in mindset. Make your career future-proof by strengthening these skills needed to adapt to the new normal:

  • Adaptability
  • Flexibility
  • Tech savviness
  • Creativity
  • Innovation
  • Data literacy
  • Critical thinking
  • Leadership
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Commitment to lifetime learning

According to DOLE, technology will play a crucial role in ensuring continued employment and business operations as we move forward. Along with this, the government is also legislating relevant laws for the new normal, including those affecting employment (e.g. S.B. 1469 and S.B. 1470).

While it may feel times are bleak, we are optimistic that things can only go up from here. It is reassuring to know from a governing body like DOLE that there are jobs for those who are willing to reskill and retool in this new environment. Change is always uncomfortable, but it provides opportunities to grow. It’s up to us to embrace it.

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