The job market has been through big upheavals in 2020 – and that’s impacted which industries have the most demand for new workers.

Huge pressure on the healthcare system and a growth in parcel delivery during COVID-19 are two key factors shaping the most-needed roles in Australia right now.

Here’s a snapshot of the top 20 most-needed roles, plus what employers in these industries will be looking for in applications.

How COVID-19 has created demand for workers

It may be no surprise that nursing jobs topped the list of roles in highest demand as Australia confronts this health crisis, says Ivan Colhoun, Chief Economist at NAB.

“Some frontline workers in hospitals and aged care may also be dropping out of the industry because of the strain,” he says.

Healthcare aside, lockdown restrictions led to a lift in online sales, and this may have contributed to growth in the need for road transport roles to deliver more parcels to people’s homes, Colhoun says.

“There was more online activity with many stores having to close their doors and increase their e-commerce focus,” he says. “That has a flow-on effect for logistics as well, as more people are needed for warehousing and then for home delivery.”

What does it mean for you?

If you’re looking for your next role in Healthcare or Transport & Logistics, there may be more opportunities coming your way. But you may still face strong competition, so how can you make your application stand out?

When applying for healthcare roles, Dan Hobson, Director of Hobson Health Recruitment, suggests that you highlight your genuine commitment to supporting the health of others. Healthcare workers play an incredibly vital role during this pandemic, Hobson explains, “Especially in nursing sectors such as aged care, community care and emergency departments or ICU,” he says. “Also, showcase all the skills you’ve developed during your career,” he adds, recommending you don’t leave out any vital information that could support your application.

To stand out for roles in Road Transport or Warehousing, Storage & Distribution, Tim James, Managing Director of Hays, says there are key qualities to highlight in your next application.

“Highlighting achievements that demonstrate an improvement in efficiencies, such as forecast accuracy, labour management and on-time delivery, along with examples of how you have reduced operating costs, will help you stand out from the crowd,” he says.

“Employers are also seeking strong stakeholder management skills, as the ability to challenge the status quo and traditional behaviours will be key as organisations adapt and optimise supply chains,” adds James. “Specific projects and change management experience will assist you in demonstrating competence.”

As COVID-19 continues to shape the job market, we’ll keep you in the loop on which industries have the biggest demand for employees.

Get a more detailed look at where the jobs are: see the industries hiring now and roles where job ads are rising. You can view jobs by state and industry, and the information is updated fortnightly.

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