Hiring Innovation During A Global Pandemic
We can all agree: COVID-19 has changed life as we know it.
Consumer behavior has been impacted severely by localized health restrictions and businesses are feeling the strain on revenue. While many industries have been hit hard by unprecedented changes and are responding with layoffs and cost-cutting measures, there is hope.
Statistics from March show that the financial impact of COVID-19 is largely industry-specific. As mainstream news paints a bleak picture, there are companies and even whole industries that are hiring. Additionally, there are strategic changes that can be made to pivot organizations to meet changes in consumer behavior and ensure financial security.
Take for example Humble Sea Brewing Co., a Santa Cruz brewery that, prior to COVID-19 was largely reliant on their popular bar/casual dining storefront. As non-essential businesses were closed, Humble Sea went online in record time. Changing to a digital strategy to sell and deliver beers and seasonal releases, Humble Sea began hiring warehouse staff, sales and logistics experts, and more. As businesses pivot, expect new jobs to appear.
As UCSC enhances their digital strategy and ramps up testing programs and capacity to address COVID-19, there are several new jobs. Beyond employment in scientific departments, there are opportunities from broad to specific. Learn more about UCSC's hiring.
On the other side of business strategy, several existing or developing industries continue to grow. Namely, Joby Aviation, having secured hundreds of millions in funding, is developing transport solutions and requires a larger workforce. See current open positions at Joby.
Similarly, tech companies are navigating the COVID crisis in response to changing markets. The unprecedented yet specific impact of COVID has introduced a demand for new positions in industries that are growing or evolving.
While recruitment processes have changed through the suspension of in-person interviews, onboarding, and training, open positions remain. They present unique opportunities for job-seekers with applicable skillsets and willingness to adapt to current times. Warehousing needs and COVID-induced labor shortages in essential services continue to grow. In parallel, companies that can mobilize remote working strategies continue on—and expand. Locally Amazon, ProductOps, Looker, Bay Federal Credit Union, Lockheed Martin are all hiring.
Though certain businesses have been able to pivot or have a foundation with which to weather the current financial storm, others are facing greater challenges. Though even when facing adversity, CEOs are innovating to keep their companies alive. Through genuine, open-minded collaboration, organizations are taking on new roles in their communities and finding renewed emphasis on the significance of their value.
At Santa Cruz Works, we want to help both job-seekers and hiring companies—now more than ever. Every year, our June New Tech Meet-up is our “Get Hired” event, and this year will be no different. Well, it may look and feel a little different…but the intention to connect job-seekers with opportunities remains.