How to Ignore High Unemployment When Searching for Electrical Maintenance Jobs
Finding an Electrical Maintenance Job During a Recession
Looking for a new electrical maintenance job? With the current economic downturn and news reports with constant reminders that unemployment levels in the US are at 11%, it can be difficult to keep a positive attitude in your job hunt.
However, it is not all doom and gloom. These figures and reports paint an overall picture of the economy in the US. However, there are industries that have been less affected than others.
It may not be as easy as it once was, but there are still plenty of electrical maintenance jobs to apply for. Here are some tips to help you ignore the high unemployment rate when you are conducting your job search.
Remember the Engineering Skills Shortage
This year has painted a grim picture for many workers. The jobs market quickly constricted and led to high unemployment. But what does this mean for maintenance engineers?
Fortunately, if you are an electrical maintenance engineer, you are working in a field with a well-known skills shortage. This means for many years it has been a candidate’s market, as employers fight to find and retain great talent.
As certain companies are laying off their electrical maintenance staff, others will be looking to take advantage of this situation and scoop up the talent that is being let go.
Major companies that are not as threatened by the global pandemic are looking to hire and use this as a time for growth. Forward-thinking companies with good balance sheets know that now is the time to access a wider variety of candidates – and they can attract talented electrical maintenance engineers that were previously in secure jobs.
Many Electrical Maintenance Jobs Are Essential
The first people to be let go, or not replaced when they leave, are those in non-essential jobs. While nurses and other healthcare workers are the key workers on the front line that most people associate with essential work, electrical maintenance workers are often in essential roles too.
Consequently, in many sectors, electrical maintenance workers have been deemed essential workers by the US Department of Homeland Security. The latest unemployment numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) demonstrates that demand for industrial electricians & electro-mechanical maintenance professionals from employers in the manufacturing & industrial sectors is returning swiftly.
Indeed, the data shows that unemployment among repair and maintenance staff is only 4.8% – way better than in the braider economy. In addition, more than 100,000 jobs have been created in the manufacturing sector in the last three months, bringing employment in this sector to within touching distance of the level in September 2019.
In short, though the COVID-19 lockdown caused shockwave on the overall job market, there has been no discernible signs of wavering demand for electrical maintenance jobs in 2020.
Searching for an Electrical Maintenance Job During COVID-19
Unemployment may be on the rise, but that doesn’t mean your job outlook has to be bleak. The BLS is still forecasting there to be over 10,000 new electrical engineering jobs created between 2019-2029. There are jobs available, but the current pandemic may mean you have to adjust your tactics in searching for them:
- Online networking: In-person networking is probably out of the question, with many states having stay-at-home orders and events across all industries cancelled. However, remote networking can be just as effective. Get onto platforms like LinkedIn and start joining groups and connecting with recruiters and hiring managers at companies you would like to work for.
- Keep open communication: Maintain open communication with your industry connections. This way you can be updated when new openings are available in their company.
- Keep an open mind: Your next electrical maintenance job may not be your dream job. During a time of high unemployment, it is important to manage expectations. This is not saying you should take any job offered or something that will make you unhappy, but you may not want to be overly selective.
- Contact a specialist recruiter: Specialist recruiters have access to a network of employers and jobs that may not be listed on jobs boards. They will also have inside knowledge of the employer, helping match you with a job that you will enjoy and give you what you are looking for.
To Sum Up
The current high unemployment in the US may be scaring you in your electrical maintenance job search. However, there are jobs out there. Don’t let the high unemployment stats scare you. Start searching today. You’ll soon find the job you want.
For help finding your next opportunity, contact Mac Incorporated.
