More People Are Turning To The Internet To Hire And Be Hired, According To IA U.S. Jobs Report

“The digital economy has become one of the most valuable tools in the toolbox for hiring managers, job seekers, and entrepreneurs alike.” – IA President & CEO K. Dane Snowden

Washington, DC – Today, IA released the June 2021 IA Industry Indicators (3i) Report: U.S. Jobs. The 3i report series uses quantitative and qualitative analysis to explore the present condition of the job market in the United States; IA examines both month-over-month and year-over-year changes, utilizing national and member company data to gauge how the internet relates to hiring, income, and job openings. 

“This report allows us to see that Americans across the country are increasingly turning to the internet as a resource to earn a living,” said IA President and CEO K. Dane Snowden. “The digital economy has become one of the most valuable tools in the toolbox for hiring managers, job seekers, and entrepreneurs alike.”

The report demonstrates a number of shifts in the job market, both in recent weeks and throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the key points include: 

• As of May 2021, online full-time job postings increased 23.2% year-over-year, while online part-time job postings increased 84.3% year-over-year. 
• Internet-based earnings and job searches reached peak levels in November 2020, during which nearly half of the surveyed population used online platforms to collect income and/or search for employment. 
• National job openings rose by 19.3% month-over-month in April 2021, and 84.4% year-over-year.

In other words, families throughout the US are increasingly able to use the internet to help make ends meet. Although employers and job-seekers have been using online job-search resources for years, job platforms in the COVID-19 era are helping people quickly connect to the growing number of new work opportunities. Moreover, a variety of newer internet-based platforms have served as an income lifeline during the pandemic. Five years ago, roughly one-in-five Americans had earned money by selling items online, and only 8% were participating in the gig economy; by 2020/2021, these numbers increased exponentially. The safety cushion provided by the digital economy can relieve financial anxiety for many, especially at a time when one quarter of Americans have struggled to pay bills during the pandemic due to reduced hours, furloughs, and layoffs from the traditional workforce.

IA will continue to monitor job market data as the U.S. works towards COVID-19 recovery. To explore IA’s collection of 3i reports, click here.

###