Businesses and schools closed. Families lined up outside food banks. Commodities flying off shelves. Millions furloughed and unemployed. Daily losses in the stock market.
No, this isn’t a description of wartime challenges or the Great Depression—these are scenes of everyday life today in the United States, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.
While stay-at-home guidelines may help keep everyone safe and protect healthcare services, the economy is sinking to its knees. The stock market is suffering, and businesses in every sector, especially those not deemed “essential,” are closing or letting employees go. By mid-April, 22 million people filed for unemployment benefits since a national emergency was declared. These Depression-level unemployment numbers are staggering.
If you lost your job or are looking for new employment, this is definitely a challenging time. During an emergency, you want to look for the most secure jobs in industries that are growing or remaining stable. What are the best job types during the coronavirus pandemic? If you need work now, this guide to what industries are hiring now will help you get started.
Job Types Hiring During the Coronavirus
Industries that have anything to do with hospitality or depend on crowds — restaurants, hotels, and movie theaters — are definitely not the most secure jobs. Instead, look to the more essential industries required to keep everyday life afloat, including:
Pharmacies
Healthcare is a priority right now, and pharmacies are definitely staying in business. People still need to pick up their prescriptions, and they need access to basic vitamins and over-the-counter medications. Plus, many pharmacies carry some grocery staples that may be sold out at other stores.
Grocery Stores
Right now, no retailers are busier than grocery stores. They are considered essential businesses and are open even in cities with the strictest shelter-in-place orders, though often with more limited hours. We still need to eat during a pandemic, and workers are kept busy keeping shelves stocked. If you’re looking for good job types during the coronavirus, consider applying to be a bagger, cashier, or stocker at a grocery store.
Big Retailers
Big-box retailers are another example of what industries are hiring now. People are staying home as much as possible and when they go out, are looking for a one-stop-shop that will take care of all their needs, from home goods to produce. Many of these stores are seeing increased business and need more help. For example, Walmart plans to hire 50,000 employees to meet demands during the pandemic.
Online Retailers
Online retailers, such as Amazon, which has stated it is hiring during the pandemic, also offer the most secure jobs during an emergency. Workers are needed both in distribution centers, preparing orders and packages for shipment, and in working in delivery.
Telecommunications
With so many Americans working at home, the telecommunications industry is more important than ever. Tools that make it possible for people to stay in touch, from internet and cellphone companies to teleworking software providers, are essential industries, and need more support than ever. For example, Spectrum broadband, Zoom, and Slack have open positions across their teams.
Best Side Hustles During the Coronavirus
Some workers may still have their jobs but have seen their hours reduced or temporarily cut altogether. If this is your situation, a job on the side may be what you need to keep you on your feet until your regular job picks back up. These side hustle industries are great job types during the coronavirus:
Grocery Delivery
Because of this pandemic, some people don’t want to or can’t go out to get their own groceries. There are a number of grocery delivery companies that are hiring to help meet the growing demand. Instacart and Shipt are great options for making money while shopping for and delivering other people’s groceries.
Food Delivery
These days, takeout is the only option for enjoying food from a favorite restaurant. This has increased the demand for food delivery services. Get paid to pick up someone’s order from a restaurant and bring it to their home. You can find work at GrubHub, UberEats, and DoorDash.
Yard Work
It’s the time of year that everyone starts thinking about getting their gardens and yards in good shape. Offer your services as a lawnmower, weeder, landscaper, and waterer.
This is a difficult time for everyone, and even more so if you are out of work. These job suggestions should give you a good idea of what industries are hiring now during the COVD-19 pandemic, so you can earn what you need to pay your bills and stay afloat.
Need even more help stretching your money? Learn more about Lift Credit and how a personal loan can help you get through challenging times.
