This article originally appeared in the Globe and Mail for Nine to Five on June 28, 2020

THE QUESTION
Now that businesses are starting to open up again, I’m wondering if it’s a good time to start looking for a new job. I haven’t been happy at work for a while now and I feel like a change is long overdue. But with so many layoffs, I’m not sure if anyone is hiring.  Is this the right time to put myself out there or should I still wait a while? I just don’t want to waste my time.

THE FIRST ANSWER
By Julie Labrie, president, BlueSky Personnel Solutions, Mississauga, Ont.

If you are interested in making a move jobwise, this is indeed a good time to start looking. One big advantage is: you’ll have less competition right now.

We have seen a significant decrease in the number of people actively job-searching and posting their resumes online since the beginning of the pandemic. We are hearing from some job candidates that they are worried about how stable a new employer may be, while others are opting to stay back from a sense of loyalty.

The interesting thing is, as businesses begin to resume normal operations, their pre-pandemic talent shortages are likely to surface again, perhaps not immediately in sectors like retail, restaurants and entertainment, but definitely among professional jobs. Many companies are remotely hiring and on-boarding new employees right now.

For those worried about stability in a new job, it is important to remember this: While there are no guarantees in any situation, most established companies investing in new hires now, are doing so because they foresee stability. It costs too much in the hiring process to bring in someone new, only to let them go right afterwards. That’s not a profitable move.

So as a jobseeker, if you put yourself out there, your competition will be lower than usual, giving you a better chance to stand out to employers who need your talent.

THE SECOND ANSWER
By Bruce Sandy, principal, Pathfinder Coaching & Consulting, Vancouver

To view the second answer, please visit:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/careers/career-advice/article-is-now-a-good-time-to-start-looking-for-a-new-job/