The Glassdoor and Indeed’s Hiring and Workplace Trends report suggest that 2023 will have a tight job market where competition to attract top talent will continue.
As the job market evolves, job seekers must watch for the key trends to remain relevant and competitive:
1. Skills-based hiring is on the rise
2. Human Skills are a must-have for the future of work
3. With greater flexibility comes great responsibility
4. The never end of new developments in AI and Automation
5. Change and more change…
So let’s examine more closely what you need to know so you can better prepare when looking for that next great position.
1. Skills-based hiring is on the rise
Research by Remote shows that skills-based hiring was up 63% last year as more employers value experience over academic qualifications.
This is a very positive trend for job seekers, as it opens doors for those without a degree but with a wealth of valuable experience. For employers, this is an opportunity to increase the talent pool and speed up the recruitment process and diversity.
This trend will continue to increase in 2023.
What does this mean to you?
You must ensure that you have the expertise and skills employers are looking for and show how you will apply them to get results.
2. Human Skills are a must-have for the future of work
Another job market trend is that more and more employers are looking for people with a combination of hard and soft skills, with a much stronger emphasis on soft skills.
Hard skills are the technical knowledge and expertise we bring to our role, whilst soft skills (also referred to as human skills)l are the ones we bring to the team and organisation as human beings.
Pearson’s Skills Outlook report on “Power Skills” analysed job market trends in four big economies – US, UK, Australia, and Canada. They found that, while technical skills continue to be valued, there are top five most sought-after skills that employers are seeking today, and they are all human:
- Communication
- Customer Service
- Leadership
- Attention to Detail
- Collaboration
Their report also projected the skills that will be most in demand by 2026:
- Collaboration
- Customer Focus
- Personal Learning & Mastery
- Achievement Focus
- Cultural and Social Intelligence
To the above skills, I would add:
- Conflict management
- Problem-solving
- Critical thinking
- Kindness
- Negotiation skills
- and a strong work ethic
What does this mean to you?
Human skills might not be easy to grasp for everyone, and they can be harder to hone than many hard skills; check which soft skills you need to develop or enhance. These will set you up for long-term success within the organisation.
3. With greater flexibility comes great responsibility
Most of us are now used to working remotely and with greater flexibility. This new way of operating required employers to trust their people and give them more autonomy and empowerment.
To earn this flexibility, we need to deliver results, and our freedom around physical location and time needs to be balanced with greater efficiency and delivery of excellent results.
What does this mean to you?
You can take advantage of the flexibility available to you and increase your work-life harmony. But also ensure that you continue to deliver high-quality results to your organisation. Keep regular contact with your manager and your team. Be visible. Invest in yourself and in your growth.
4. The never end of new developments in AI and Automation
Automation and AI are here to stay. We might love it. We might hate it. But we must accept it. Many experts suggest that some professions could be eliminated in the next ten years. But in 2023 and beyond, organisations will continue to invest in automation and AI to streamline processes and ways of working. The focus now is eliminating repetitive and time-wasting tasks such as data management.
What does this mean to you?
Adaptability and lifelong learning will be crucial in the future of work. Plan ahead and adjust to these new technologies through retraining or career changes. Stay up to date with these developments in your sector and role.
5. Change and more change…
We usually say that change is the only constant in life. The reality is that the world of work has gone through dramatic changes practically every year. We witnessed the impact of Covid, the war in Ukraine and, more recently, inflation on our lives. The economic turmoil and constant technological innovation mean that the future of work is uncertain in practically every industry.
What does this mean to you?
Learning about our VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) world and adapting your working behaviours to support organisational changes is one step you can take.
Dr Burke and colleagues from Colombia University research suggest nine behaviours to thrive in a VUCA environment:
- Flexibility – willingness to try new things
- Speed – rapidly grasping new ideas
- Experimenting – testing out new ideas
- Performance risk-taking– taking on challenges
- Interpersonal risk-taking – asking for help
- Collaborating – leveraging the skills of others
- Information gathering – endeavour to develop your knowledge
- Feedback seeking – request for feedback
- Reflecting – taking the time to reflect on your performance and results
In summary:
Keep up to date with industry and job market changes and trends. Learn the new technologies that are driving changes in your role or industry. If you identify that your skills are in-demand and being outsourced by organisations, why not create a side business?
The competition in the job market is high, but so is the war for talent, so it’s essential to adapt to what organisations need to find a great job (or jobs) that you’ll love.
If you need my help, here is what you can do:
