Job trends to watch for in 2018
- Dec 20, 2017
- Written by Ken
5 job trends to watch for in 2018
The job market is healthy but changing.
While some industries and many individuals continue to struggle, 2017 saw the job market get even stronger.
Unemployment reached record lows and despite two major hurricanes and an uncertain political landscape, the economy added 1.9 million new jobs as of November.
In some professions (though not all), this has led to what could be described as a war for talent. That’s true in some technology jobs, healthcare, e-commerce, and key professional services, according to data from Glassdoor. In fact, as the year comes to a close, the jobs and recruiting site reported that there are a record 6.1 million open jobs in the United States today.
That does not mean the labor market is all good or in any way stagnant. The types of workers needed has begun to change. That’s something Glassdoor’s Chief Economist Andrew Chamberlain addresses in the company’s What’s Ahead for Jobs? Five Disruptions to Watch in 2018 report.
“Although the nation’s labor market is strong heading into 2018, average wages for many remain stubbornly flat and a stark divide remains in who benefits from continued job growth, with tech skills earning a premium and many other jobs facing significant changes with the rise of AI and automation,” said Chamberlain.
What five trends are on tap?
If you are currently in the workforce or plan to enter it or change jobs in 2018, there are some things you need to know. Not all of these will have an immediate impact in the new year. Some will take time while others are already becoming evident.
AI is changing the future of work: In 2017 we began to see hints of this with fast food chains adding ordering kiosks and warehouses using automated order pickers. This trend will accelerate in the coming year.
Modernization of mobile job applications: In general, while it’s possible to apply for some jobs from a mobile device, it’s not practical. That’s going to change as companies create tools to reflect how people use devices.
Job growth in healthcare, technology, and labor-intensive roles: As the U.S. population ages, demand for healthcare workers will increase. Technology job growth has already started and labor-intensive jobs — specifically ones that don’t make sense to automate — will grow as well.
Increased transparency in the application and interview process: