Pre-pandemic, the US unemployment rate was at a staggering 3.5 percent— a record low since 1969! Almost every industry was bursting at the seams until life as we know it was turned upside down. Shake waves vibrated across the economy, leaving a deafening 14.7 percent unemployment rate in its wake—affecting the US and Nashville Job Market alike.
Nashville Job Market: Before
Zoom in on my hometown: Nashville, TN. For the last ten years or so, people have been flocking to Nashville for its promising economic growth. Downtown residents alone grew 130% from 2010 to 2018 (not even including the “boomin’ ‘burbs”). The city boasts an impressive list of companies headquartered here that’s still growing daily. Above all, pre-2020 it had an even lower than national average unemployment rate of 2.6 percent.
As a Tech Recruiter, news like this made my heart beat a little faster thinking about all the growth & opportunity. Our friends at News Channel 5 noted a great article about Nashville Job Market pre-COVID highlighting the specific influx of tech related jobs – thanks Amazon & soon to be mentioned Oracle!
2020's Impact
This being said, it has not been a walk in the park. Since this time last year, SHR has partnered with NewsChannel 5 for a special project, The Rebound. The goal of this initiative is to bring together good companies needing good people and vice versa. This was an act of good will service, a little different than our normal business model. While it strays from our normal path, a top priority for SHR is to promote doing what is right for the long-term good of Nashville Job Market.
2020 impacted the workforce beyond the economy, too. Many have enjoyed the perks of working from home 100%. Or maybe you are like me and prefer a hybrid model – I love my dog Jackie as my co-worker, but it’s really nice to see smiling faces, new and familiar, every once in a while. As you settle into whatever your “new normal” now is, embrace the change!
Jackie Hard at Work in the SHR Office 🙂
Looking Forward
Interestingly, the Nashville Job Market and US Job Market have seen more and more people taking this time to make a change and return to the work force at a new professional home. Bloomberg did an interesting article about this big churn. If you are thinking, now is my time to see what else is out there, I’d recommend my coworker Sarah Huebner’s blog on “whys” to consider when job searching.
So, it’s time to make a move & you’ve determined your “why”? My co-worker,Travis Guerra wrote two articles about edifying your professional social presence & networking skills.
Regardless, I think we can all agree that throughout the wild ride over the past year one thing is clear, WE are #NashvilleStrong. The Nashville Job Market is strong because of the people and companies that make it that way! SHR Talent is a Nashville based Recruiting Firm that works with amazing companies throughout find top quality, hardworking people. I remember my WHY is to serve the community and economy around me as I work as a #Recruiter here in the place that I love!
