Due to several states indefinitely extending their stay at home orders, another 3.84 million Americans have filed for unemployment benefits, according to the Department of Labor. That brings the total of unemployed workers to over 30 million in just six weeks. As a result, many Americans that are out of work are considering pursuing a side gig or temporary job with an essential employer. However, numerous workers contemplating this career shift are skeptical because they are worried about explaining it to a new employer down the road. And on the other foot, some workers are feeling obligated to accept an “odd job” because they are worried about having an employment gap on their resume. Here’s a brief overview discussing if you should accept any job during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Employers are less concerned with unemployment woes
Back twenty or thirty years ago, having an employment gap was a red flag to employers. If you were out of work for a few months, it drew concerns with hiring managers. Fast forward to today, employers are less worried if you have a gap in your work history, to an extent. We are all in this together. If you are out of work for a few months because of COVID-19, that is perfectly acceptable, and most employers will understand as they, too, were impacted by the virus. As long as you can explain your employment gap in an interview, you will be fine. If the question arises, keep your answer positive and honest. If you were laid off due to the coronavirus and decide to take a few months to hone a skill and think about a new career path, that’s great!
Don’t fail to pursue a temp job out of fear
Many Americans are paranoid about pursing a temp job at a grocery or hardware store during this time because they are concerned about explaining this shift in their career to a future employer. That’s just nonsense! Don’t let an old stigma prevent you from what’s doing what’s right for you and your family. If you need the money or want to lend a helping hand during this pandemic, pat yourself on the back. You should put yourself above what a prospective employer thinks. If you need a job to pay the bills, accepting a “plan b” job is 100% appropriate, given the global pandemic we are all going through. Again, we are all in this together. So, almost every employer will understand your decision to take on a new role temporarily to provide for your family.
If an employer is not cool with you doing what’s best for you, you probably don’t want to work for them anyway. And on a positive note, accepting a job out of your comfort zone to pay the bills will be a testament to your character. It illustrates resiliency, adaptability, and a solid work ethic. So, don’t be afraid to accept any job during this pandemic.
We can help during these difficult times
So, should you accept any job? That answer is completely up to you and your current situation. There is still a lot of uncertainty right now. Some states are beginning to open back up, but others are extending their closure indefinitely. If you are curious about pursuing a new role during these challenging times, check out our job board. We have hundreds of job opportunities with employers that will be grateful for your service!
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