As the job market continues to evolve, it’s important for job seekers to stay up-to-date on new job market trends in order to remain competitive. The hiring landscape of 2023 is already showing signs of emerging trends and dynamic changes. 

It’s probably no surprise that many companies will continue the shift towards remote operations and flexible work options, but the 2023 hiring landscape has already shed light on several key job market trends that candidates may not have thought about. From an emphasis on soft skills to a focus on diversity and inclusion initiatives, it’s important for job seekers to familiarize themselves with these trends so they can better position themselves as top contenders in their field.

Let’s examine what job seekers need to know about the trends affecting the job market in 2023, so they can be better prepped when they go looking for that next great position.

1. Surprising growth industries

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the occupations expected to experience the most growth in the next decade might not be quite what you thought. The fastest-growing occupations include nurse practitioners, wind turbine service technicians, theater ushers, and cooks.

As you can see at the link, the list includes a mix of both high-skilled and low-skilled jobs. This is indicative of an aging population and a professional world that isn’t innovating as fast as the headlines might have you think. Automation may never take jobs that require a personal touch, and you don’t have to get an advanced tech degree to find work.

That said, two of the fastest growing industries in the US — healthcare and IT/cybersecurity — do require some more advanced skills. Cybersecurity jobs are expected to grow by 28% by 2029 due in large part to an increasing prevalence of cyberattacks.

Regardless of your current expertise, keeping up with job market trends by keeping an eye on data like this will help you identify opportunities for skills to learn or career paths to consider.

2. Increasing leverage for employees

Glassdoor and Indeed’s Hiring and Workplace Trends report indicated that 2023 would continue to have a tight job market where businesses will compete to attract top talent.  The result? Workers will have greater leverage in asking for the terms they really want, from pay levels to benefits to remote and hybrid work options and whatever other perks they desire.  

College graduates will benefit from this newfound leverage, too. Companies plan to hire 14.7% more graduates in 2023 versus 2022, and almost half of them feel the class of 2023 is jumping into a “very good to excellent” job market.

3. Employers want mixed skillsets

Another one of the job market trends to watch? Employers are looking for workers who have a combination of hard skills and soft skills.

Hard skills refer to specific abilities such as technical knowledge or programming language proficiency. Soft skills are typically interpersonal qualities such as communication, problem-solving, and teamwork.

Most employers in 2023 and beyond look for candidates proficient in both.

Some of the most sought-after hard skills include computer programming, data analysis/data mining, software development, web development, cybersecurity, and project management.

You may not have these skills currently, but there are many resources available online to help you build a foundation in any of them.

Most employers in 2023 and beyond will look for candidates proficient in both hard and soft skills.

The most in-demand soft skills are a bit more abstract. Think critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, strong communication skills, leadership capabilities, negotiation skills, attention to detail, and a strong work ethic.

Soft skills don’t exactly come easy to everyone, and they can be harder to hone than many hard skills, but don’t put all of your eggs in the hard skills basket. Employers seek out employees with these types of versatile attributes since they can apply them across any industry or job function. That sets these new hires up for long-term success within the organization.

4. More flexible working arrangements

In recent years, there has been a shift away from traditional 9-5 office work towards more flexible working arrangements. Companies are recognizing the many benefits of allowing employees to work remotely, such as greater efficiency, cost savings, and improved job satisfaction. 

This trend is only going to continue in 2023 as more and more businesses adopt remote work policies. A McKinsey study found that 58% of respondents worked at home at least part of the time, a staggering number compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Job seekers who are open to flexible working arrangements (such as working from home or on a freelance basis) will have an easier time finding employment next year. Flexible and remote working arrangements allow for a job seeker in some sectors to take advantage of opportunities that may arise anywhere in the world.

In addition to having access to a worldwide job market, flexible work may help you take greater command of your schedule by taking on contract, part-time, or temporary opportunities. When you find work that’s copacetic with your day-to-day routine, you can strike a healthier balance between your professional and personal lives.

5. Companies are making efforts to battle burnout

Nearly half of workers worldwide claim to be worried about burnout; the Great Re-evaluation and “quiet quitting” have been the result.  Many companies are all too aware of this and are taking measures to combat the ennui and feelings of disengagement that are present among many corporate employees.  Especially Gen Z workers who have a profoundly different attitude toward work than their predecessors.

Companies like McDonald’s and Nestle have launched mass coaching programs within their organizations.  These programs are meant to teach managers how to obtain skills they’ll need to better communicate, motivate, and retain workers by giving them a sense of shared mission or community that will help them head off attrition and the costs of turnover.

In job market trends, the only constant is change

For the past few years, the world of work has experienced dramatic changes practically every year. But changes aren’t the same in every industry. With economic turmoil and the omnipresence of technological innovation, the future of work is uncertain in practically every industry.

As such, it’s important to read the news and keep up with industry changes and job market trends. If new technologies are changing how your industry operates, learn them. If companies begin outsourcing for your specific skill sets, start a side hustle. The job market is as competitive as ever, but so is the war for talent, so it’s important to adapt to what businesses need in order to find a great job (or jobs) that you’ll love.

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