As we enter a brand new 12 months, it’s time to look forward to the foremost workforce trends we imagine you want to find out about for 2024.
Based on reports, almost two thirds of CEOs anticipate a return to the office full time within the near future. Meanwhile, Employers are placing greater importance on skills when hiring. AI continues to remodel ways of working, which suggests that upskilling shall be vital to your continued success. Greater than ever, it’s time to make big decisions about where – and the way – you desire to work, in addition to what you desire to do.
Listed here are six workforce trends to pay attention to so you may ensure your profession is successful in 2024 and beyond.
What are the highest workforce trends in 2024?
Focus shifts to skills as an alternative of experience
Employers understand that “unicorn” candidates (those with the “perfect education and experience” for his or her organisation’s requirements) are in brief supply. We’re seeing this in areas corresponding to tech and sustainability, where there aren’t enough experienced staff to satisfy demand. That’s why, increasingly more, employers are forsaking their never-ending checklist of criteria in favour of skills-based hiring. This approach involves recruiting any person for his or her skills and potential, as an alternative of just their qualifications or educational background.
This shift in attitude offers you more opportunities to explore in your profession, particularly if you desire to move right into a latest field or industry. Don’t be delay by not having the “right” higher education or employment history, and give attention to your skills and potential as an alternative. You possibly can read more about how and why you need to do that here.
Find suitable courses to allow you to develop technical skills and highlight these to hiring managers. Don’t ignore soft skills, either. Hays data shows that communication and self-motivation are the 2 most in-demand soft skills amongst employers without delay. My colleague, Jane Bamford, has already written about the right way to showcase these.
While you’re applying for a brand new job, highlight your relevant skills in your CV or application. It is best to also review your LinkedIn presence to be certain that that it reflects more accurately what you may bring to an organisation. This includes listing your skills in your profile and interesting with or posting relevant content.
It might be too soon for us to “wave goodbye to CVs and résumés” as some have predicted. Regardless, an absence of qualifications or experience in your chosen profession isn’t the barrier to entry it once was. This angle is a large win for untapped talent in all places, while employers and employees alike will profit from increased inclusivity and a various workforce.
Upskilling key to the AI revolution
It doesn’t matter whether you’re highlighting your capabilities to prospective employers or upskilling to your current role. It’s necessary to contemplate how AI tools are going to affect your profession and the talents you’ll need.
2023 was the 12 months of AI. ChatGPT didn’t just start a digital workplace trend at the top of 2022 – it turned generative AI into headline news almost day-after-day since.
Its evolution raised several questions, a few of which we’re still finding answers to. Would it not make us more productive to give attention to other tasks? Or wouldn’t it disappear as quickly because it arrived? Clearly the reply to the last query is not any – but the reply to the primary is determined by you.
A report from the World Economic Forum released in September suggests that AI could end in the creation of more jobs. These range from newer specialist jobs, corresponding to prompt engineer, to roles in higher demand – for instance, electrical engineers and people who work with data. In case you are already in considered one of these fields or need to reskill, be certain that you understand how AI goes to affect in your profession. Take time to upskill (you will discover suggestions in this Hays blog) and stay awake up to now on the most recent advancements.
Nonetheless, the reality is that each one of us are going to want to become familiar with AI tools. It’s not only technical skills that may prove useful, either. Don’t ignore soft skills that may allow you to manage these tools, corresponding to communication and flexibility. Conversely, take time to develop the soft skills that AI cannot replicate – for instance, creative considering.
Full-time office vs hybrid and distant working
While the pandemic was a catalyst for a shift to distant working opportunities, a worldwide KPMG study has found that 64% of CEOs expect employees to return to the office full time by 2026. Our Salary Guide in Australia uncovered that only a 3rd of employers are joyful for staff to come back to the office when it suits them – this number was 51% a 12 months ago. Within the UK, a Hays survey revealed that 43% of respondents are back within the workplace full time, while 39% of staff operate in a hybrid model.
That is going to divide opinion. Many individuals are actually used to greater flexibility in where they work and don’t need to return to their previous routine. Actually, Gartner reports that over half of staff would search for a brand new job if their flexible working was impacted.
In fact, this can vary from employer to employer, however it’s still time to take into consideration what you would like. In case you’re happier or more productive within the office, this prediction may suit you. Actually, the KPMG study uncovered that 87% of CEOs are considering rewarding workplace attendance with favourable assignments or promotions.
Alternatively, would you like a hybrid and even fully distant role? In case you’re selecting to vary roles, be certain that to set any job search filters to accommodate this, and enquire in regards to the situation throughout the application process. Similarly, for those who’re planning to remain together with your current employer, speak to your manager about whether the present system works for you, or in the event that they are planning any changes to this. If their answer doesn’t slot in together with your expectations, perhaps it’s time to contemplate moving on?
Economic uncertainty results in greater demand for contingent staff
In case you prefer hybrid or distant working, then perhaps you need to consider changing the best way you’re employed altogether. A Hays poll on LinkedIn found that greater flexibility was the primary good thing about being a non-permanent, or contingent, employee.
As we shared in Hays’ recent annual report, demand for contingent staff will proceed to grow into 2024. It’s because many organisations could make savings in the long run by hiring contractors for certain roles or shorter projects, as an alternative of everlasting employees.
This implies the climate is ideal for switching to contracting in an area where your skills are in demand. Travis O’Rourke, CCO at Hays Americas, ran a LinkedIn live event earlier this 12 months on becoming a contractor. He points out that, in addition to the rise in opportunities, the advantages of this profession path include the potential for higher remuneration and freedom to decide on projects.
Nonetheless, the transition to this profession requires several things. Firstly, you’ll must have the talents and experience that organisations want for specific projects. At the identical time, you should be motivated to upskill and develop in your personal time, since you’ll have less access to learning resources from employers.
Becoming a contingent employee is a profession that suits people who find themselves pro-active to exit and find opportunities. The excellent news is that those shall be more available in 2024.
A pivotal 12 months for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I)
2024 is predicted to be a pivotal 12 months for DE&I after many organisations made cuts on this area in 2023. Why does this matter to you? As my colleague, Yvonne Smyth, has previously written, an employer’s commitment to DE&I tells you quite a bit in regards to the culture. A various and inclusive environment means experiencing a culture of respect, innovation and growth. It’s also about ensuring that your voice is heard, you will have equal access to opportunities, and also you’re provided the platform to make the impact you would like.
So, how can you recognize whether an employer is committed to DE&I if you’re job hunting? The perfect place to start out is thru research. What do current or former employees must say on Glassdoor? Do their social media channels depict an inclusive culture? Are there any reports that show their approach and even progress they’re making on this area? Make sure to do your homework and are available armed to any interviews with questions to make sure you’re comfortable with their culture.
The following thing to do is reap the benefits of the variety inside your organisation. We’re all a part of a multi-generational workforce, and it’s vital that we don’t miss the chance for an exchange of data and concepts that may profit everyone.
An efficient option to do that is to discover a mentor. Our Learning Mindset Report found that 66% of staff and 76% of employers were joyful with the success of the mentorship schemes during which they were involved. By approaching one another with an open mind and sharing your expertise with each other, everyone wins.
For younger staff, mentorship means learning from experienced colleagues or people in your network. It’s not only these individuals who have potential for growth, though. What about reverse mentorship? For those working later in life, or maybe even “unretiring”, there may be plenty to realize from Millennials and Gen Z. In fact, these are the generations to whom digital skills are second nature. There’s also a greater need than ever to take motion with regards to sustainability – could this be your opportunity to find more about ESG and Net Zero?
Your 2024 jobseeker checklist
Following these workforce trends, the keys to profession success in 2024 are:
- Develop the correct skills for the job you would like and to organize for the changes that AI is bringing.
- Audit your LinkedIn presence and update your CV so that they reflect your soft skills and highlight your potential to employers.
- Seek opportunities for a knowledge exchange, ideally with any person from one other generation.
- Find an employer that aligns together with your purpose and priorities, whether that’s commitment to DE&I or flexibility in where you’re employed.
- Explore the potential of contingent work as a option to meet employer demands and exercise more control over your profession.
Technology and fresh perspectives are set to make this a really exciting 12 months. Here’s to a prosperous 2024, stuffed with joy and success.
