BW People in interaction with Sashi Kumar, Managing Director, Indeed India discussing the hiring trends, changing dynamics of the hiring sector, and some advice for job seekers in the backdrop of coronavirus crisis.

What should an employee do to prepare if they feel that they will soon lose their job due to COVID-19 issues?

If you feel that your job security may be impacted due to coronavirus-related issues with your place of work, start your job search sooner rather than later. In addition to signing up for job alerts while you’re employed to have an idea of the kind of jobs that are available now, I always recommend that people tap into their networks. Connect with former colleagues and ask friends, acquaintances, and relatives to let you know if they find out about a position that suits you. Indeed is also hosting a Job Cast Webinar on May 20th, at 2:30 pm where we’ll provide advice on navigating job search during COVID-19. Because so many people’s jobs may be affected, the webinar will cover tips on finding work quickly when you need it, advanced search methods to find work from home or gig jobs, and how to impress employers in a remote interview setting.

How can those who have lost their job, or think they will soon, prepare for a financial hit? Are employers slowing down their hiring?

Some ways to cut down on expenses, including canceling subscription services, ordering in less, or looking for part-time work, or gig economy opportunities. It’s too early to say, but as a leading labor market researcher, this is something that we’ll be looking at moving forward.

What actions are Indeed taking in response to COVID 19?

Indeed’s number one priority is protecting the health and safety of our employees and the people we serve. We were one of the first companies to ask all our employees globally to work from home, halt all business travel, and cancel hosted events.

In keeping with its mission of helping people get jobs, we launched a repository of resources to help job seekers navigate through these difficult times. We also partnered with many leading employers and SHRM to offer job seekers access to available new opportunities they can apply for as well as reassurance from leading HR heads on the future of work.

Has Indeed seen any impact on its business as a result of COVID-19? 

We haven't seen any material impact yet. Working from home certainly presents some inconveniences and requires adjustments, but we’ve taken steps to ensure employees stay engaged to minimize any productivity impact.

However, one of our surveys among recruiters highlighted that recruitment has experienced the greatest impact, with 36% of the surveyed businesses overall confirming that they have temporarily suspended their hiring activities, rising to a sizable number of SMBs and large businesses now focused only on critical hiring.

What jobs are Indians searching for? 

Job seekers are increasingly searching for terms like ‘remote’, ‘work from home’, and related phrases. Our data shows that searches for remote work have increased by over 261% as a share of all searches on Indeed India since February 2020, indicating jobseeker expectation mirrors these measures. Overall, job searches have increased by 278% as a share of all searches on Indeed India since September 2019 - March 2020

Despite the temporary slump in the sector, healthcare continues to be one of the foremost drivers of the nation’s economic growth. Job seekers in India have shown greater interest in working in healthcare over the course of the past year (February 2019 to February 2020), with the number of job searches seeing an increase of 5% during this period. Bengaluru holds the largest share of jobs in healthcare nationally, with 10% of all medical jobs located in the city. It is followed by Mumbai and New Delhi, both with 8% of all medical jobs in the country, and Chennai and Hyderabad, with 7% and 5% of the same respectively.

Could you also discuss the fear many employees who have lost their job to the pandemic?

Start your job search sooner rather than later and sign up for job alerts. If you’ve lost your job and you’re taking the steps to support yourself and your loved ones, remember that you’re not alone. It is also important to remember to take time for yourself with small, restful breaks between tasks.

Hiring via video is a new reality. What can candidates do to nail the video interview?

When interviewing with an employer over video chat, you should put your best foot forward just as you would if you were meeting in person. Make sure your lighting is optimal for the interviewer to be able to see you clearly. If possible, it is always a good idea to sit facing a window for natural light. It is also important to pay attention to where you are looking throughout the interview. Look directly into the camera as often as possible to maintain eye contact. This will show the hiring manager that you are engaged and passionate about the role you are discussing with them.