Economic uncertainty is an inevitable part of the modern world. Many factors impact economic signals, and fears of downturns are always present. The economy affects job creation, availability and unemployment.
In 2023, the job market has been strong overall, and unemployment has been low. That could all change, of course. If it does, you’ll be glad to know there are still many hot in-demand jobs that won’t cool.
What jobs are in demand regardless of the economic picture?
There are several ways to define what an in-demand job is. They typically have many vacancies — newly created ones or for mission-critical roles — and projected job growth. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is a good source to measure job growth rates.
Here are some key findings about in-demand jobs:
- Healthcare roles, including nurse practitioners, health services managers, substance abuse counselors, medical assistants and physician assistants, are projected to see substantial growth through 2031. Nurse practitioners had the highest projected growth at 45.7%. No matter the economic climate, healthcare services are mission critical. The labor shortages in the field are a result of pandemic burnout and fewer people joining the industry. It’s a safe bet that the healthcare industry will continue to create more jobs.
- Development jobs in software and web will also grow, according to the BLS. Big tech has initiated layoffs in these fields, but many open roles remain. As the world and businesses increasingly depend on technology, these job surges are unlikely to decrease.
- Analyst positions in data science, information security and market research are high-paying, in-demand jobs. This industry will continue to grow as companies look to collect, analyze and act on data.
Other resources that can offer insights on in-demand jobs include industry studies, data from social media and projections for newly created jobs due to innovation, legislation or investment. Here are some examples.
The (ISC)2 2022 Cybersecurity Workforce Study concluded that there are 3.4 million unfilled cybersecurity roles, and the gap will only widen. Cybersecurity is an essential role and not something most companies will cut.
Many social media platforms and career boards track in-demand jobs based on job posts and some roles that consistently fit in the high-demand and recession-proof category are:
- Research and development engineer
- Mental health specialist
- Facilities engineer
- Registered nurse
Another way to define in-demand is by looking at newly created jobs critical to infrastructure. The electric vehicle (EV) industry is thriving because more consumers are ready to adopt this technology. Demand for EVs means the industry needs more technicians with the skills to service and maintain these vehicles. The workforce isn’t keeping up with this boom, so this is another example of an in-demand job that’s critical and not likely to see contraction regardless of the economy.
Why should you consider in-demand jobs and the benefits they provide?
By choosing an in-demand career, you’ll have more options and opportunities. You may also be able to find work anywhere in the country and have job security. Many of these roles have above-average salaries, and they could include extra perks, such as hiring bonuses. Faster placement and advancement are also possible to accelerate your career path since there is less competition for these roles.
What are some key skills for in-demand jobs?
Many in-demand jobs require specialized technical skills. For example, healthcare positions involve extensive training and education, the level of which depends on the position.
Jobs related to technology also require special skills, such as coding abilities and knowledge of networks, infrastructure and cloud computing. Certifications are often a prerequisite for many of these jobs, but the requirement of a four-year degree is on the decline.
Soft skills that are transferable across many in-demand jobs are also key, including communication, leadership, critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity and collaboration. You can develop these through courses, work and life experience and independent exercises. They’ll serve you well no matter your career path.
Watch the video below for more insights on getting in-demand jobs.
Skills-to-career matching helps candidates land in-demand jobs.
Skills-to-career matching represents a new way for businesses and job seekers to connect based on their abilities, aptitudes and attitudes. It’s not a process where an employer evaluates your resume and gives you a fail or pass depending on what words appear in it.
This approach transforms the traditional hiring process to focus more on all the skills someone has or is developing to do that job well. It’s a people-centered approach that provides a better, more equitable experience for you and helps companies hire the best people for their roles.
Seeking an in-demand career that will be stable is an excellent choice. Now, you need to chart your path to get there and understand all the skills necessary to succeed. We use this method at pepelwerk, a career-matching platform that can help you identify what in-demand job is right for you and guide you on how to land it.
Explore how it all works and why it’s different by attending one of our events.
