It’s the question ringing in all our ears: “Why is it so difficult to get a good job nowadays?”
Whether there’s a lull in your particular job market or bias within the workforce, there’s a long list of reasons you may be having trouble finding your ideal position. Here are four big factors that may be stopping you from landing the right opportunity in 2020:
Unfortunately, discrimination still exists in the workplace. This is an ever-present struggle for some, who experience difficulty finding a job due to race, gender or gender identity, ageism, physical or mental disabilities, religious beliefs, veteran status — the list goes on.
While impressive strides have been made in education and mitigation of workplace bias, many industries still have a long way to go to be more inclusive during the hiring process. Despite some company’s best efforts, diversity programs often fail and leave many qualified candidates without the job they deserve.
In fact, The EEOC recently reported that employment discrimination lawsuits are on the rise — and have been climbing for several years. Recent stories include a Houston manufacturer ordered to pay $225,000 in a discrimination settlement and a Baltimore contractor ordered to pay almost $1 million in a similar settlement.
These are just two examples that show how bias within a hiring process can cost your business more than you can afford in terms of both finance and reputation.
Even if not outwardly intended, unconscious bias can affect us all, and it’s something all hiring managers and employers must be aware of and actively work to avoid. Fortunately, many free bias courses are available today, tackling tough topics like diversity, belonging, cultural sensitivity, and more.
For candidates, things are looking up — but the key to avoiding hiring bias during the job search is still to ensure you are considered for your ability and personality, not factors outside of your control.
This often means keeping your anonymity during the hiring process so that prospective employers express interest in you for all the right reasons. Once in the interview, be sure to push your merits and achievements and steer clear of any company exhibiting discriminatory behavior early on.
The biggest reason many able-bodied candidates can’t find a job in 2020 is obvious: COVID-19. This national crisis caused a number of businesses in affected areas to temporarily close or significantly cut operations from February until the unknown future.
Many corporations were financially stunted by these lost sales, forced to temporarily scale back, shut down, or even close their doors for good.
A number of industries will see long-term effects from the pandemic, long after the states start reopening businesses. For instance, the travel industry is sure to experience unusual trends with fewer people taking vacations or trips, to name one example.
You could have difficulty finding a job as the result of this latest recession, which is frustrating since it has nothing to do with your qualifications or willingness to work.
Check out these tips for finding a job during the 2020 recession to get back on your feet.
The 2020 recession also caused a lot of corporations to furlough staff, or to put them on temporary layoff until they are capable of reopening or financially recovering from the pandemic.
This is an equally frustrating dynamic, as you may technically still have a job, yet you can’t work. For many workers, there is uncertainty around when they can resume their role, or if they’ll have a job when they come back despite their company’s best efforts to promise them one once market conditions stabilize.
If you are furloughed, it can’t hurt to keep your eyes open for other opportunities. Now is an excellent time to brush up on your interview skills or start seeing what industries are actually hiring at the moment.
Alternatively, some companies may have even been forced to let employees go with the intention to rehire them for the exact same positions later, at possibly a lower salary or with reduced benefits. Learn more about the difference between furloughing and rehiring here to understand how each may affect your job stability moving forward.
One major reason you may be having trouble finding or sticking to a job is your level of satisfaction in your current position or your career as a whole. It’s important to distinguish between the two.
If you don’t enjoy your working environment, coworkers or management, job location, or the exact title you have at this company, this could be an indication that you need to assess your current role. Here are seven reasons it might be time to quit and pursue a more aligned culture or job role within your same field.
If you are questioning your contentment with your industry itself, this may require a bigger transition: a career change. Really reflect on what about this industry doesn’t sit well with you and explore a few possible avenues to make work something you love again. We have a great blog all about steps you can take to begin a career shift to get you started.
What if you could avoid hiring bias while applying for new openings? On typical job boards, this is hard to avoid. Factors like your name and sex or gender identity are clear giveaways.
With GoGig’s anonymous job searching platform, however, you can rest assured knowing that employers are attracted to you for your qualifications and unique culture fit.
Sign up to get matched with your perfect employer, today.