Tech jobs across North America had a strong start in the beginning of the year: in Canada, tech remained one of the fastest growing industries across the country; tech jobs accounted for 10 out of the top 25 jobs in the United States as of just one month ago. However, with the current health concerns circling, it remains unclear whether that momentum will keep going or if it will have to take considerable steps back like many other industries have had to.

If you are concerned about how the virus will affect hiring in the tech industry, keep reading. We have gathered some insights so that you can stay informed and adapt to the rapidly evolving landscape.

An Uncertain, But Hopeful, Future

Across the board, COVID-19 is forcing many businesses to pause for the time being. Jobs and contracts are being cancelled or postponed, leaving some people out of work, while some employees have been asked to work from their homes.

The tech sector has seen an interesting combination of ups and downs in response to COVID-19. Some experts have suggested that in the US, an increase in job openings during the first two months of the year, before the outbreak took over, will act as a buffer for the likely decline of jobs in the months to come. Some tech sectors, such as information technology and telecommunications, are projected to drop, while other tech sectors such as internet and tech, are actually projected to increase during this time.

Because this outbreak is fairly recent, a clear answer for the future has not been formed. In general, though, job openings are on a decline at the moment, which is typical across most industries right now.

The most important thing we can do collectively is to stay positive and rational amid the chaos. Capterra senior content analyst Zach Capers notes: “We are clearly in unprecedented territory and the outlook is changing by the hour. However, as near-term volatility gives way to more clarity about what we’re facing in the medium- and long-term, financial markets will stabilize, and the job market should eventually rebound.”

Recruiters and Hiring Managers Harnessing Technology

Because the economic climate seems to be changing by the minute, different companies are making swift changes in approach to their hiring efforts. Large tech companies like Google have been leading the way in terms of their COVID-19 response, and smaller companies are quickly following suit.

Some companies are being more conservative in response to the rocky job market and are delaying their hiring efforts – or stopping them altogether. However, one thing that most people in the technology sector are comfortable with is just that: using technology. If companies are continuing with hiring, all interviews and meetings are being conducted via phone or virtual platforms such as Zoom or Skype, a measure taken to encourage social distancing while still being able to work.

Some experts suggest that the pandemic is lending a significant hand in accelerating workplace practices that may have already been on the rise, like the encouragement of remote work and virtual conferencing. Regardless, the current climate is one that will take some adjusting to.

How You Can Stay Competitive

It might seem like the whole world is on hold right now – but that doesn’t mean your job search efforts have to stop! While this may be a quieter time, there are still things you can do to promote your job search in the interim:

• Revamp Your Documents: Take some time to update your resume, cover letter, and online profiles and portfolios, so they are ready to go if an opportunity comes along
• Virtual Networking: Industry events and in-person networking will be on hold for the next while; take advantage of social media, email and video calling to connect with your peers and stay in the job-seeking headspace
• Learn a New Skill: Have some free time? Perhaps now is a good time to look into taking some online courses or skill training to add to your repertoire, making you a more competitive and desirable tech candidate when hiring picks up again

And, if you haven’t before, consider working with a recruiter to help navigate through this difficult time. Regardless of the hiring landscape, you can count on recruiters having a deeper understanding of industry trends and larger professional network that you can use to your competitive advantage.

If you need support during this time, don’t hesitate to reach out! The team at Next Level Group is always here to lend a hand – you can contact us by emailing us directly or clicking here.

Are you on the lookout for a new job in the information technology sector? Working with a staffing agency can give you the edge against the competition that you need to land a great new tech gig – read on to get in the know.

Interview Coaching

One of the biggest obstacles in obtaining a tech job is standing out in the interview. Recruiters really are invested in your success, so lots of staffing agencies offer coaching to make sure you go into the interview prepared.

Depending on the specific role, you could be faced with multiple interviews, be asked to complete a technical test, or cite examples of recent tech problems you solved  – every company has their different methods of hiring. Having some insider knowledge by working with a recruiter will improve your chances of acing it.

Resume Help

The best way to demonstrate your experience and qualifications will change depending on the particular job you are interviewing for. In general, entry level candidates may want to focus on education and soft skills; more advanced job seekers will have to carefully select their professional achievements and hard tech skills. There may even be information you want to leave out – it can be hard to know exactly what to say in order to present yourself in the most effective way.

Staffing agencies typically offer help with resume writing, so if you need help crafting the perfect document, they are there to help.

A Competitive Edge

Working with a recruiter can give you an edge against the competition – by being integrated into their network of search professionals and job opportunities, the likelihood of you finding a job will be higher than ever before.

It is also in the recruiter’s best interest to find you a job that you will love – fast. Around 50% of recruiters note the ‘time to hire’ as their number one success metric, a side effect which benefits all parties involved. And even if you don’t find a good match this time around, you will be a part of their talent pool moving forward, meaning you will be a front-runner candidate for any position your recruiter believes you to be a good fit for.

A Support System 

Though not technically a monetized service, working with a staffing agency can provide you with a major support system that you didn’t even know you needed. Navigating a job search can be stressful, especially in a competitive field such as information technology. Having someone by your side that is experienced and knowledgeable about the industry can be really valuable, to field any questions you may have or to simply have someone to reach out to when the search gets tough.

Ready to dive into a new IT job search? Make Next Level Group your search partner – we would be more than happy to help. Head to our job board to see all of our current opportunities or email us directly to get started.