We’re all looking for ways to see around corners and get a glimpse of the future before it takes shape. Right now, the search and staffing industry is undergoing a major transformation. And with it comes a slew of questions about what the industry will look like in the next decade and beyond.
To help the search and staffing industry chart the best course forward, the LinkedIn team dug through our data. The result: the first-ever Search and Staffing US Emerging Jobs Report. Read on for a preview of the fastest-growing jobs in the United States and the cities and industries where these jobs are located.
Tech is the future. But it’ll be powered by people skills. As technology advances, it’s not surprising to see roles like AI specialist, robotics engineer, and data scientist round out the top three fastest-growing jobs. But even though the rest of the list is tech-heavy, a number of non-tech roles – like customer success specialist, product owner, and sales development representative – are climbing the ranks. It’s expected that these roles, which are fueled by the growth of technology services that require hands-on people skills, will stay on the up-and-up.
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Where the jobs are now – and where they’re headed. It doesn’t come as much of a shock to see major urban centers like San Francisco, New York City and Los Angeles dominating this year’s list. But up-and-coming secondary cities with lower costs of living like Austin, Charlotte, and Pittsburgh are reshaping the American job map.
The shift of remote work from niche to norm is also an interesting dynamic to watch. Previously considered a perk, remote work is quickly becoming a priority. More than 40% of millennials, who now make up the largest generation in the workforce, say that the flexibility to work from anywhere is a priority when evaluating job opportunities. And companies are taking note.
Which industries are ahead of the hiring curve? Spoiler alert: It’s not just tech. Industries from healthcare to education and beyond are gearing up for the new world of work. More and more, people with technical skills have options that go far beyond your typical tech company. And as the digital transformation pushes forward, most industries will employ what were typically thought of as tech workers. What does this look like? Think of city governments hiring developers to build apps about water conservation, or brick-and-mortar retailers doubling down on digital marketing pros.
Conversely, more and more tech companies are allocating headcount for non-technical roles in sales, marketing, and design. When you put these two factors together, it’s not hard to picture a future where tech talent is more evenly spread across tech and non-tech companies.
What’s next?
None of us can truly see around corners. But search and staffing agencies in the next decade will need to understand the delicate balance of both technical and human skills in order to be successful.
Emerging technologies and new operating models will continue to change the way the industry functions. Client needs will always be evolving. And competition will almost always be fierce. But regardless of what changes are on the horizon, the search and staffing agencies continually looking at data to understand the industry’s evolution will be at the forefront of whatever comes next.
Download the full LinkedIn Search and Staffing US Emerging Jobs Report.
