It is that time of the year again when everyone is reflecting on the past 365 days and planning for the journey ahead. While the COVID-19 pandemic has had significant impact on every aspect of our life, it also heralds a new labour market where job seekers have more spaces to adapt, pursue and land their dream jobs.
If climbing up the career ladder or turning your 9-to-5 to a whole new direction have always been on the resolution list, it is more promising than ever that you can finally make it happen in 2021!
Therefore, to help you make informed decisions and hit the ground running, here are what you need to know about Australia’s job market in the new normal, extracted from the Australian Jobs Report 2020 by the National Skills Commission (NSC).
The Mecca for Job Seekers in 2021
We all agree that for job seekers and career changers, the first and most challenging part is always to identify which industry they should focus on and what the job prospect is in the next three to five years. Fortunately, even through recent unprecedented fluctuations, there are still resilient industries that serve as guiding lights for your big career move.
Resilient industries are defined by NSC as sectors which have “positive employment growth prospects as Australia’s labour market recovers from the impact of COVID-19”. The commission takes into account projected employment growth data from before the pandemic, changes to job vacancies and employment at the peak of the pandemic, and indications of an occupation’s recovery in job vacancies.
As a result, these three resilient industries are expected as the Mecca for job seekers in 2021:
Health Care and Social Services
Always want to make positive differences to people’s lives? Then a job in Health Care and Social Services promises both a meaningful and rewarding career you have dreamed of. Due to Australia’s ageing and growing population, Health Care and Social Services has become the largest and fastest booming industry across all states. It is predicted that the country will require a workforce of over 1.6 million specialists by 2023, which equals the annual job growth of approximately 14.9%.
You will spend your day at work assisting people of all ages and from all walks of life. Besides financial benefits, the joy of accompanying, helping and bringing positive changes to people in need is a priceless reward you can hardly find in any other fields. Contrary to common assumptions, Health Care and Social Services offers an abundance of entry-level positions including:
– Registered Nurses
– Aged and Disabled Carers
– Child Carers
Construction
Construction is one of Australia’s largest employing industries and it is still thriving amidst the pandemic, bringing employment opportunities for all skill and experience levels. For those who are concerned about changing career or under-qualification, construction is also a promised land as one-third of the workforce do not possess any post-school qualifications and 16% of them are actually labourers. The opportunities for good entry level roles as well as self-employment are plenty and promising.
That career path also allows you to contribute to the community growth. As Australia’s built environments are stressing more on sustainability, innovation and energy efficiency, construction workers and specialists play a more important role in safeguarding occupants’ wellbeing, minimising human impact on the environment and promoting green communities. Top occupations in this industry are:
– Carpenters and Joiners
– Electricians
– Construction Managers
– Plumbers
– Building and Plumbing Labourers
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services is a large and diverse industry which covers legal, accounting, veterinary services and computer system design. Employment is projected to increase strongly in the next five years, reflecting the ongoing demand for highly educated workers in the Australian labour market. You will most likely find those jobs in capital cities and economic hubs. In fact, 64% of jobs are concentrated in New South Wales and Victoria.
If the words “professional” or “highly skilled” ever make you feel reluctant, you will be surprised to know that many companies are willing to offer internship opportunities or entry-level positions and on-the-job training is the norm of this industry. Online courses and fast track programs should suffice to lay the foundation from which you can seek an employment, upskill and ultimately climb up to higher positions. Newcomers to Professional, Scientific and Technical Services tend to prefer jobs as:
– Software and App Programmers
– Organisation Analysts
Skills for the Future
Words like “skills” and “upskilling” appear like road signs as we navigate through Australia’s current job landscape. So, which specific skills do you need to succeed and future proof your career in 2021?
According to a recent survey conducted by the World Economic Forum for Australian companies, transferable skills (i.e., skills that are useful and could be applied in many different sectors) are on the rise and lifelong learning is also essential to adapt to the increasingly competitive market. Overall, people with higher level qualifications generally have better employment outcomes and increased real wage than those who have not completed further education after leaving school. If you have been surfing through online portals for short courses, now is definitely the best time to make the call!
Hesitating because you are not qualified enough for that job description or you have no relevant skill sets to your dream career? When applying for jobs, simply emphasise your employability skills, rather than just the technical skills you may have. Some 75% of employers considered employability skills to be as important, if not more important, than technical skills and that is how you can bridge the skill gaps to be shortlisted and win the interview. Some of these emerging skills include:
– Creativity, originality, and initiative
– Analytical thinking and innovation
– Problem-solving
– Leadership and social influence
– Emotional Intelligence
– Reasoning, resilience, and flexibility
Where and How to Find a Job
Last but not least, all your effort would be in vain if you fail to appear and reach employers on platforms they trust. Good news is job portals are a popular but not the only option on the table. These days, employers use a number of methods to advertise their vacancies and recruit suitable candidates. According to the survey, top three platforms you cannot miss plus the useful tips to win recruiters’ attention are:
– Recruitment and company websites (58%)
You will need to tailor each application to suit the advertised role. Don’t send the same CV for all vacancies as different companies have different criteria and priorities.
– Word of mouth (32%)
Referral continues to be an effective channel for both employers and job seekers with high success rate. Use your networks to your advantage and feel free to ask friends, former co-workers…if they happen to know any suitable jobs available.
– Social media (11%)
More and more employers are using social media like LinkedIn and Facebook for job advertisement and approaching candidates. The rule of thumb is to make your social media profile look presentable. Displaying micro credentials that you gain through online courses may be helpful in proving your skillset and get yourself shortlisted.
