The first wave of people who applied for CERB (Canada Emergency Response Benefit) in mid-March will soon receive their fourth and final payments of $2,000. With no clear indication of the program being extended, millions who’ve lost their jobs, or were laid off, will be searching for work in uncertain and difficult times.
Kareen Emery from the global recruitment firm Monster Canada predicted a frenzy of job seekers who’ll be mostly looking for safe jobs to keep them off frontline duties.
With a massive surge in job seekers expected, Emery advised people to start early and get their resumes in order.
Also, jobseekers were counselled to reflect on the best ways to position themselves when they’re communicating with prospective employers about what they’ve been doing while off work during the pandemic.
Equally, employers will have to convince candidates that their workplaces are safe. Employers should be able to tell prospective employees about their proactive stances against COVID-19. Further, they should be able to outline their company’s prevention measures against the spread of the virus.
Employers should consider the needs of employees, such as sick days and how to accommodate candidates who could be be struggling to balance childcare requirements throughout the summer.
To make their workplaces more attractive, Emery recommended employers to instigate perks designed to acknowledge the needs of their employees such as in-house food services, free parking, flexible schedules, professional development opportunities and other benefits.
