Brits scramble for immediate work, as experts warn unemployment rate could double

According to new analysis from CV-Library, one of the UK's largest online job sites, searches for ‘immediate start’, ‘work from home’, ‘temporary’, ‘home-based’ and ‘remote’ jobs have soared in the past seven days, as Brits adapt to the new norm and scramble for job opportunities that they can do from home.
New data shows that searches for home-based and remote jobs has soaredNew data shows that searches for home-based and remote jobs has soared
New data shows that searches for home-based and remote jobs has soared

The data looks at the amount of job searches made on the CV-Library site between 22nd-29 March and compares this with figures from the week of 14th-21st March. According to the data, overall job searches have dropped by 13.9 per cent in the past week, though searches for the following terms have soared:

1. Work from home – up 140%

2. Immediate start – up 101.2%

3. Home based – up 42.2%

4. Temporary – up 40.8%

5. Remote – up 9.3%

The findings come as economists warn that the rise in joblessness in the second quarter of 2020 is expected to be even sharper than during the financial crisis in 2008.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Lee Biggins, founder and CEO of CV-Library, said: “Many UK businesses have had no choice but to make redundancies during this unprecedented time and this is causing a spike in people looking for temporary, home-based, or immediate work.

"At the same time, the government’s support for the self-employed has been met with harsh criticism from those who don’t meet the criteria to receive payments, which may have also contributed to these figures.”

Interestingly, the following job search terms saw a dip during the same period: Receptionist (-40.2%), Administrator (-32.7%), Sales Assistant (-27.8%), Site Manager (-20.9%), Cleaner (-15.3%), Business Analyst (-14.2%), Retail Assistant (-13.6%), Labourer (-11.8%), Plumber (-10.5%), and Engineer (-5.5%).

Biggins added: “When there’s so much uncertainty in the market, the prospect of changing jobs just isn’t on the cards for Brits in stable jobs and our findings highlight where interest is dropping the most. Hiring is expected to decline in the coming days as the nation sits tight and waits for more advice from the government.

"We want to support businesses as much as possible with their recruitment efforts, especially those with urgent roles to fill right now.”

Related topics: