Hiring Trends for 2021

The market is moving quicker than ever. In previous years we’ve typically seen hiring surges at the start of a new year and again in the fall, while the summer and holiday seasons have tended to be slower. However this year, we are not able to depend on past hiring patterns, at least for the first half of the year.

For those who are looking for a fresh start in their job search or career, here are some hiring trends to look out for in 2021.

Temporary, freelance and contract work will be on the rise

During periods of economic uncertainty, firms often rely more on temporary or project professionals because they are hesitant to add permanent jobs to payroll. For example, due to economic challenges last year and to an increase in unemployment in Indonesia, the government has passed policy to open labour flexibility for contract employees, read our article about the omnibus law. That means you’ll probably see more job postings that fall under the temporary, temp-to-hire, contract or freelance categories.

It might feel discouraging to only find work for a short period of time or a role that doesn’t offer health insurance but if you’ve been having a tough time finding a job, temp work can be a workable short-term solution.

One of the perks of a temporary, freelance or contract position is that it can be a great way to build new skills or help get your foot in a new industry. It offers a lot more flexibility with your time and helps to develop specialised skills. You can also see temp work as a way to supplement your income until something more stable materialises.

Companies are adopting temporary working arrangements because the future is a bit uncertain at the moment but that will change. If you’re seeking a more permanent position be sure to communicate that with your temp employers so that if there is an opportunity to get hired full time, they will look to you.  

Remote work will continue to stay

The pandemic has changed the way we view remote work. It’s likely that once the vaccine rolls out people will start to go back to offices but that doesn’t mean remote work will disappear. 

Most likely, some companies will embrace remote work in their next chapters or will look to hybrid and flexible models. In our recent polls that we conducted across 5 different Empresaria brands, 66% of our followers in Europe and 56% in Asia say they are open to letting employees work permanently from home. In the same spectrum the majority from both Asia (67%) and Europe (61%) says they would like to have the option of a mixture of both working from home and working in an office available.

With remote work becoming a more viable option to employers, geography is becoming less of a factor in where you’ll look for a job. If you’re someone who might struggle to find a job because of relocation; remote work can expand your geographic parameters.

In addition, with many companies continuing to embrace remote work, it stands to reason that interviews will continue to be largely remote as well. Keep your video interviewing skills sharp, research common interview questions and follow video interview tips. It is also a good idea to highlight specific skills that makes you a strong candidate to work from home.

Although remote work seems to have its pros it might not be what everyone wants. Maybe you’re the type that works better in a place surrounded with people and interacting with your co-workers. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to discuss this with your employers and check whether the new job will be temporarily or permanently remote.

Post-vaccine hiring will rapidly increase

As the vaccine rolls-out across the world, recruitment will take off as companies start to recover. Companies will become more stable, opening the availability for new hires and the option for increasing headcount. Although it is expected that working from home will still be available to a large portion of the professional world, going back to the office will be more viable and safe. Be prepared for the new opportunities that will be available post roll-out by updating your resume, continuing to network on LinkedIn and upskilling yourself.

In order to be as prepared as possible for 2021, check out news and industry sites that monitor business and hiring trends and sign up for newsletters or Google Alerts. Follow companies you’re interested in on LinkedIn and pay attention to the types of job postings you’re seeing on job boards and the types of companies posting them. If you’re interested in learning how to optimise your LinkedIn profile, you can read our articles on how to attract recruiters on LinkedIn.

2020 has taught us skills that will we carry through the rest of our professional careers. As recruitment continues to evolve, it is important to remember that trends arise rapidly. It is crucial to stay on top of those recruitment trends to remain competitive in the market.