Covid-19 has been a huge blow to the jobs market. But an increase in temporary jobs means finding work could be easier than we thought
Demand for staff picked up in December for the first time in three months. Here are five jobs that need you now.
- NHS – Become a Covid-19 vaccinator
The NHS urgently needs people to give out Covid-19 vaccinations. You don’t have to work for the NHS to apply. Full training will be provided and roles are flexible too. You can expect to be paid between £10.09 – £11.19 p/hour… and to feel like you’re making a difference.
If you have good people skills and can work in a team, you could land yourself a paid role. You’ll need to apply online via the National Vaccination Programme portal. Visit this website and click on the job description link which most applies to you. (The NHS is recruiting for a whole host of other jobs too – visit this website for more details)
- Driver
Whether it’s home deliveries, food takeaway services, supermarkets or warehouse staff, drivers are in high demand right now. And you don’t always need to have your own vehicle. Sometimes a clean driving license is all you need. Amazon and Hermes have both announced new job openings all over the UK. Could a job like this be the perfect antidote to lockdown life?
- Fruit picker
Fruit picking and packing jobs soared during the first lockdown. With travel restrictions still in place, the lack of migrant workers means these jobs are there for the taking. They usually operate on a day and night shift basis. Beat ‘lockdown bum’ with an active, outdoor job! Do an online job search to find vacancies near you. Read our guide to finding a job online.
- Babysitter
Despite being in lockdown, some parents (and key workers) still have to go to work. With many schools and nurseries temporarily closed, job adverts for childminders and nannies are increasing by the day. Joining a family’s bubble could be a cash boon but check out the covid rules. It’s also worth getting some references in place.
- Support worker
Jobs in the care sector continue to grow. Many of us will have experience of looking after somebody, whether it’s an elderly parent or a sick child. These skills are essential to care work, so be ready to include them in your application. Pay is usually by the hour for temporary positions. You may need access to your own vehicle if work is remote. There are also ‘Live-in’ positions which provide full training. Use an online job search such as Indeed.co.uk or those listed in our guide.
Quids in! Top tips if you’re unemployed:
- Keep actively looking for jobs, practice setting out your stall and presenting all you have to offer
- Make sure your CV is up to date – take a look at our tips on writing a CV
- Make sure your computer skills are up to scratch. Learn My Way has loads of free online courses. If you’re feeling confident why not complete an online learning course – areas of high-demand include technology, marketing, sales, languages and other computer skills. Check out The Open University for a list of free courses
- If you can’t get online check out adult education centres near you – some of these remained open during the last lockdown with social distancing measures in place. Most councils have one so you can contact them by phone if you are struggling to access a computer
Click here for more on successful job hunting from Quids in!.
