Earlier this month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the U.S. added roughly 678,000 jobs in February, dramatically surpassing many economists’ predictions. Indeed, a quick look at Gray’s database would suggest that this trend may continue.
Job Postings by Month, 2020-2022
1.8 million postings in January were surpassed in February, which saw over 2 million postings. Year-over-year, total postings were up as well, with February 2022 seeing a 23% increase from 2021. March saw a slight decline from February, but postings were still up .3% year-over-year.
With a seemingly robust job market, we wanted to explore what opportunities exist for workers entering the market for the first time. Exploring our database using the keywords “Entry Level” revealed the following:
Diesel Technician/Mechanic and Automotive Technician are both in the top 15. With ongoing supply chain issues, it’s not surprising that these skilled workers remain in demand. Phlebotomist and Medical Assistant are positions that underscore a theme that we have written about here many times: health care workers remain in high demand. Year-over-year from January 1 – March 31, Phlebotomist job opportunities grew 139% and Medical Assistant grew 92%. In 2021, Medical Assistant didn’t even make our top 15. Lastly, Insurance Sales Representative and Security Officer ranking fifth and eleventh, respectively, is somewhat striking given the proliferation of media stories regarding rising crime in America.
This data seems to reveal that despite most parts of the nation returning to pre-pandemic behavior, Covid-19 has affected the jobs market and will likely continue to for some time. However, acknowledging the needs and opportunities created by this extraordinary time may give new entrants into the jobs market greater power to choose where and how they begin their careers.
