what are the current trends in today’s job market?

In a constantly evolving world, the job market is no exception. In recent years, we've witnessed unprecedented shifts in the world of work, driven by factors like the pandemic, hybrid work or work from home, technological advancements, and great resignation.

Whether you're a job seeker or an employer, staying updated on the current trends in the job market, labour market, and employment landscape is essential. 

From the rise of remote work to the changing demands for top talent, these trends shape how we work and do business.

Keeping your finger on the pulse of these trends is not just beneficial—it's necessary. 

Knowledge is power in an ever-competitive job market, and being informed about where the job market is headed can give you a significant edge. For more in-depth information on job trends, download our salary guide.

Are you ready to discover what's shaping the job market today and what you should prepare for tomorrow? Let's dig into the trends that are transforming the world of work. 

industrial support: embracing innovation in manufacturing

Traditionally perceived as stable and conventional, the manufacturing industry is undergoing a remarkable transformation. 

A key trend is the integration of advanced technologies, often called Industry 4.0, which includes AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), and robotics. 

Now more sophisticated than ever, robots are taking on repetitive tasks, increasing accuracy, and erasing human error, ultimately ensuring superior quality assurance.

Another significant trend is sustainable manufacturing, which is not just a fad but an obligation to our planet's future. 

Sustainable practices include a shift towards recyclable materials, bioplastics, renewable energy, and digital manufacturing. This reflects a growing concern for environmental responsibility in the industry.

Discover more trends in this industrial support sector

customer experience: the rise of self-service

In the realm of customer experience, self-service has become the go-to solution for consumers. Gone are the days of endless phone calls to reach a support agent. 

Customers now prefer to find answers to their questions through FAQs, knowledge bases, and online discussion forums. 

Additionally, social media has emerged as a favoured channel for customer support, with over 80% of customers connecting with companies through these platforms. 

This shift towards self-service necessitates hiring copywriters and content writers to maintain accurate and up-to-date information. 

Furthermore, adopting remote work has revolutionized the customer service landscape, with companies recognizing the benefits of a flexible workforce. 

Learn more about customer service job trends here.

finance & accounting: the digital transformation

In finance and accounting, digital transformation is the name of the game. Integrating digital technologies allows the industry to meet evolving customer needs while increasing efficiency and reducing costs.

Companies also realize the importance of aligning environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors with their operations.

CFOs take on more significant roles as ESG issues become embedded in company culture. To thrive in this digital era, finance and accounting firms need talent capable of utilizing:

• cloud-based technologies, 
• predictive analytics platforms, 
• Robotics Process Automation (RPA), 
• blockchain, and more. 

This industry is also becoming more flexible with work hours and remote work options.

See more job market trends in finance and accounting.

human resources: prioritizing well-being and inclusion

Workplace stress is rising, and businesses are responding by designing well-being-focused workplaces.

Health and mental wellness are becoming central concerns, with a shift towards a holistic well-being strategy encompassing employees' lives inside and outside work.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) also dominate HR trends. Companies are implementing unconscious bias training, reducing mental health stigma, and offering flexibility in work environments. 

Upskilling and reskilling are crucial for HR professionals to meet market demands and leverage AI in their roles.

Learn more about trends to watch in the HR job market

business support and operations: streamlining with AI and RPA

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robots are revolutionizing business support and operations. They streamline administrative and repetitive tasks, including invoicing, order processing, and customer service. 

Remote work has become a permanent fixture in this sector, and upskilling administrative professionals is a priority.

Low-code and no-code solutions are emerging, enabling the creation of AI-powered applications without extensive coding knowledge. 

The industry is recognizing the importance of tech-savvy workers with solid IT skills.

skilled trades: embracing digital transformation

The skilled trade sector faces challenges recruiting and retaining talent, particularly needing more teachers. 

Environmental protection and green, sustainable building practices are gaining prominence, creating opportunities for tradespeople. 

Digital transformation is essential, with seven core digital skills becoming a necessity:

1. including technical, 
2. information management, 
3. digital communication, 
4. virtual collaboration, 
5. creativity, 
6. critical thinking, 
7. and problem-solving in digital environments.

Efforts are being made to rebrand the industry to high school students and promote diversity, especially in fields like:

• HVAC, 
• electricians, 
• and solar panel installation. 

Digital skills are the linchpin for adapting skilled trades to the future of employment.

Find out more about trends involving skilled workers and the sectors in which they work.

industrial management: prioritizing ESG and automation

Environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) remains a top priority for industrial businesses. They are optimizing supply chains to enhance resource productivity.

AI and augmented reality (AR) are taking over training and upskilling. The shortage of skilled labour is becoming more pressing as companies rely increasingly on technology.

5G technology is gaining traction in industrial automation, and employee education and reskilling are undergoing significant changes in response to AI and automation.

Discover other trends in the industrial management job market.

sales: leveraging data and virtual selling

Digital marketing's growth has led to an abundance of customer data. Predictive analytics for sales is helping sales teams make sense of this data to produce better outcomes.

Virtual selling is becoming the norm, and self-service and contactless selling are rising. Soft skills, including communication and negotiation, are highly valued in sales hires.

See how sales workforce trends are changing. 

marketing: data-driven decision making

The marketing landscape is undergoing a significant transformation due to digitization, strongly emphasizing decision-making driven by data. 

Technologies such as AI, machine learning, and statistical modelling are democratizing data analytics, making it more accessible to businesses.

Prioritizing creating high-quality and valuable content is paramount, particularly given the rapid proliferation of AI-generated content.

Emerging trends to keep an eye on include real-time data analysis, automation, and the utilization of influencers in marketing strategies.

Furthermore, concerns regarding data privacy are on the rise, pushing companies to adopt greater transparency in their data collection practices.

Stay informed about the evolving job market. Download our salary guide to access industry-specific insights.

Deepen your knowledge of marketing trends to gain an overview of tomorrow's world of work.

technologies: bridging the skills gap

As businesses expand across multiple cloud providers, the demand for cybersecurity professionals is skyrocketing. Bridging this talent gap through upskilling has become imperative. 

Moreover, the next five years will witness explosive growth in Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), creating exciting opportunities.

Furthermore, developing low-code and no-code solutions is streamlining the creation of AI-powered applications. 

Notably, the healthcare sector is experiencing substantial growth in AR and VR technologies, while the emergence of social VR is a trend to watch closely. 

Explore the evolving landscape of IT job trends and beyond.

energy and oil: embracing renewable energy

The demand for renewable energy is growing due to ever-increasing environmental concerns. Hydro, solar, and wind energy sources are gaining much-needed traction. 

The transportation sector is shifting towards electric vehicles, creating opportunities in charging infrastructure and smart grids.

Data analytics, digital transformation, and AI will be essential to optimize energy infrastructure and ensure efficiency.

explore the current trends in the job market.

Ongoing shifts in job market dynamics are transforming various industries, forging new pathways, and revolutionizing our work methods.

Keeping yourself well-informed and adaptable to these changes is essential for thriving in this evolving environment.

Feel free to download our comprehensive salary guide for insights into contemporary salary trends, allowing you to maintain competitiveness in today's dynamic employment sphere. 

Whether you are an organization searching for exceptional talent or an individual striving for career advancement, remaining well-informed is the pivotal factor for success in the perpetually evolving world of work.