The first unemployment wave in the United States due to the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted women. When the pandemic first hit in March, over 700,000 people lost their jobs and nearly 60% of them were women, according to the United States Labor Department. Not much has changed since then.

More than 36 million Americans are now unemployed, and women and minorities have been the hardest hit. women are over-represented in the hospitality, child care, leisure, and retail industries, which are currently experiencing the biggest losses. Other sectors like education, government, and health care — also tend to be dominated by women. 

The current economic situation is unlike the last recession the US experienced in 2008 and 2009, which hit male-dominated industries like finance and construction first. Finance jobs have higher incomes and manufacturing jobs tend to be unionized, but the industries experiencing a downturn now do not offer the same protections.

On today's episode we will be speaking with the CEO of vCandidates.com, LT Ladino Bryson, known as “The Employment Therapist!™” who will share what candidates can do to land their next job and why COVID-19 presents a major opportunity for companies who are committed to equality.