Who Is Hiring Right Now?

Some businesses are hiring large numbers of workers

Many of them are offering hiring incentives

While many businesses have been ordered to temporarily close to slow the spread of COVID-19, some Minnesota businesses are not only staying open – they are also hiring large numbers of workers and even offering hiring incentives. Not only can you earn a paycheck in these industries, but these jobs can help serve Minnesotans and save lives.

Overall, more than 3,650 new job openings were posted last week on the state’s online job bank. Similar to an ordinary week, jobs in the health care industry accounted for 23% of all new jobs posted, with hospitals and nursing homes having the largest demand for workers.

In addition to health care operations, many other businesses providing essential goods and services are hiring. Among them are grocery stores, pharmacies, transportation and delivery services, banks, child care and food production, which must continue to operate even under the Stay at Home order. You can search for open positions in Minnesota on CareerForceMN.com.

Some employers offering incentives for in-demand positions

A growing number of employers – including U.S. Bank, Hormel, Target, and Amazon – have recently announced temporary bonuses or pay increases for some employees.

Grocery stores are hiring for a variety of front-line positions including online personal shoppers, stockers, and cashiers. Some of the larger grocery retailers posting for positions in Minnesota are CUB Foods, Lunds & Byerlys, and Target. Many smaller local grocery stores are hiring as well.

Nationally, CVS Health announced plans this week to hire 50,000 workers across the country in a range of full-time, part-time and temporary positions. Meanwhile, Walmart announced plans last week to hire people for 150,000 jobs throughout the U.S.

Government entities also are hiring. The Minnesota Department of Corrections, for example, is seeking Trainee-Corrections Officers at facilities across the state with immediate openings. The starting wage is $20.55 per hour. No corrections experience is necessary, and a 6-week paid training program is provided.

Skills may be transferable

If you’ve recently been laid off, your skills may transfer more easily to another field than you might think. For instance, many health care employers are looking for people with skills common to employees in the leisure and hospitality industry – such as customer service experience, attention to detail, and the ability to multi-task – to fill a variety of health care positions.

While many health care jobs require a state license, certificate, or passing a state exam – a lot of positions may require only on-site training. Among them are home care aides, resident aides, and direct support specialists – as well as positions in medical coding/billing, food service, and housekeeping.

Entry-level jobs can be a stepping stone to higher-paid health care positions. Because demand is high, it’s not unusual for employers to help pay for training for many positions that require licensure or certification. There are also numerous grants and scholarships available.

Steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19

Businesses should take steps to help protect the safety of their workforce and their customers – including social distancing and frequent sanitizing. Workers need to take steps to protect themselves and others by staying home if they are sick, washing their hands frequently, and maintaining at least 6 feet social distancing between themselves and others.

Job search resources

If you’re looking for work now – or planning to look soon – CareerForce can help.

• Visit CareerForce Virtual & Interactive Services for links to online classes in resume writing, interviewing skills, and job search – as well as to other online resources.
• At CareerForceMN.com/locations, you’ll find a phone number and an email address for a CareerForce location near you.
  • People looking for work can find help connecting to job search resources – as well as interviewing and resume-writing assistance.
  • Employers looking for assistance can get help posting jobs on CareerForceMN.com, finding candidates for vacancies, and connecting to other resources and services.
• If you have trouble connecting, please call the CareerForce Help Desk at 651-259-7501 or email careerforce@state.mn.us for assistance.
• For unemployment benefits, please go to www.uimn.org and apply online.
• Visit mn.gov/deed for additional COVID-19 information and resources.

– Hamse Warfa, Deputy Commissioner for Workforce Development