JobStreet empowers displaced workers amidst the COVID-19 pandemic

POSTED BY: LIONELL Go MACAHILIG
2020-05-28 06:05:06 PHT

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted businesses in many aspects, including their workforce. Unemployment is expected to increase as local companies lay off their employees, not to mention the repatriated Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and job-hunting fresh graduates.

To provide valuable support and opportunities among jobseekers and hirers amid the challenging situation, online job portal leader JobStreet.com launched its #TogetherAhead initiative with its commitment to be at the forefront in rebuilding businesses and careers.

Through the #TogetherAhead initiative, JobStreet’s COVID-19 Jobs and Resources Hub provides job opportunities fit for the condition nowadays such as home-based or freelance. The microsite presents information on financial assistance available from the government to guide employees and companies in their applications. It also publishes critical information resources from JobStreet’s extensive network to motivate jobseekers for their next career path and to guide employers in adapting their business through the challenging times.

#TogetherAhead also houses the current job report, available roles, assistance for candidates to get jobs more conveniently, and special aid for hirers.    

“The pandemic has greatly impacted businesses and the workforce on a global scale. More than ever, JobStreet strengthens its commitment to rebuild businesses, careers, and people’s lives,” shared Ramesh Rajandran, Chief Marketing Officer of SEEK Asia, JobStreet's parent company. 

Livelihood for Filipino displaced workers 

Over two million Filipino workers were reportedly displaced by the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), with Metro Manila as the region with the highest displacement figure. The quarantine measures also caused companies to halt their recruitment processes. 

“Some companies have paused accepting applications, but many of them remain actively recruiting, so we’d like to encourage jobseekers that there’s a way for them to signal hirers that they are up for urgent hiring,” shared JobStreet Philippines Country Head Philip Gioca.    

Candidates can explore other opportunities by industries that are still hiring during this time such as Call Center / IT-Enabled Services / BPO (41%), Government Jobs (15%), Education (9%), Banking / Financial Services (4%), Computer / IT (Software) (4%) among others based on JobStreet Internal Data. 

Meanwhile, the following job roles remain widely available on JobStreet: Call Center Agent (10%), Teacher (7%), Nurse (5%), Engineer (4%) and many more.  

Fresh graduates who would like to work and earn this time can grab opportunities as Call Center Agent (Php 22,000), Teacher (Php 22,316), Customer Representative (Php 20,500), Admin Assistant (Php 13,319), Nurse (Php 20,745), among others. 

Work from home opportunities that are fit for today’s condition are also available via #SanaOL jobs by JobStreet, listing 15,000+ online teaching jobs, 14,000+ job vacancies that require no experience from job seekers, 1,600+ opportunities with work from home setup, and 180+ job opportunities for undergraduates. Under #TogetherAhead initiative, #SanaOL is Jobstreet Philippines’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, supported by YesPinoy Foundation led by actor and youth empowerment advocate Dingdong Dantes. The partnership was able to roll out #SanaOL program by facilitating online career coaching to Filipinos in need of livelihood.   

Connecting candidates and hirers 

The current situation has shifted the demands of jobseekers. Candidates are now looking for work from home opportunities, home-based, jobs with no work experience, part-time, or freelance.   

Also under the #TogetherAhead initiative, JobStreet introduced #WorkNow, its latest feature on the platform to support jobseekers further and get them closer with opportunities. #WorkNow allows ready-to-work candidates to stand out and connect them conveniently to potential employers. Likewise, this lets companies identify which candidates are available for urgent employment. To use this function, jobseekers only need to log in their JobStreet profile, edit ‘Additional Info’, go to ‘Other Information’ and type in #WorkNow then click ‘Save’.

Free-of-charge job posting on JobStreet is also offered to small-to-medium enterprises that offer opportunities for college and K-12 graduates, work from home, and no experience jobs, which gives businesses the opportunity to rebuild themselves and reestablish their workforce. 

“The COVID-19 has introduced a new normal to us and it will continue to exist for quite some time, and JobStreet is continuously stimulating the job market as part of our commitment to empower jobseekers and hirers during this trying time,” said Gioca.   

To learn more about #TogetherAhead and other JobStreet initiatives, visit https://bit.ly/JobStreetTogetherAhead.