E-commerce
With the COVID restriction in place, our ability to shop physically at stores has reduced. E-commerce has always been on the rise but the pandemic has quickly accelerated the use of it. Revenue in the eCommerce market is projected to reach US$1,623,264m in 2021 and user penetration will be 53.3% in 2021 and is expected to hit 68.2% by 2025. Companies that were previously only selling their products in physical stores are now moving online. We are seeing a lot more diverse services and products being made available online so you can expect jobs in this industry to grow.
Customer Service
LinkedIn reported that customer service jobs surged during the holiday period last year. It was reported that ‘the role of Food Specialist saw the single greatest spike in demand over November, growing by almost 7x’. This should translate into increased demand for customer service representatives across a variety of industries as more businesses rely on meeting their consumers demand virtually.
Sustainability
In recent years sustainability has been a concern but the pandemic has caused an increased awareness of it. In a Global Sustainable Investment Alliance report in 2018, sustainable investing assets totalled $30.7 trillion worldwide, a 34% increase from 2016. Over the next 10 years this number will continue to grow. Governments around the world are starting to make policy change and investment into renewable energy especially in the Asia Pacific region where electric vehicles are set to become a growing market. It’s not only governments that are making sustainability the focus, but consumers are becoming more eco-conscious in recent years as well, demanding more products from brands that align with their values. A 2019 survey led by Hotwire found that 47% of internet users worldwide had ditched products and services from a brand that violated their personal values. This demand for sustainable eco-products and services means that businesses will put more emphasis on making sure that their company protects those values. Look around for company within the renewable energy sector or those who are providing sustainable service/product.
With this in mind, you should determine whether you can remain in your current industry or if it is time to change direction. The list above is not an exhaustive industry list; many other industries have the potential for growth in 2021, so it’s a good idea to research your industry and see if it is expected to continue growing in 2021. If the industry you’re currently in sees promising growth, focus on making yourself the strongest candidate possible. Ways to improve yourself as a potential employee include taking on projects to keep your skills sharp, learning new skills, increasing your networking efforts or polishing up your resume. However, if your work experience is in an industry that’s been negatively affected by the pandemic, like hospitality or tourism, you might want to consider looking for a job in a new space where many of your skills would translate.
Monroe Consulting Group offers creative solutions to workforce challenges and has partnered with various multinational and local companies to cultivate careers and build businesses across all industries, including consumer goods, health, industrial, professional and technology. For expert advice on hiring or your career contact us at Monroe Consulting Group Offices