Shifting trends in jobs, recruitment: LinkedIn

• Digital skills much sought after due to shifting trends
• Traditional credentials not the only things companies look for

AS THE world has gone increasingly digital due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a rise in demand for jobs that require digital and soft skills and hiring patterns have shifted from focusing on credentials towards skill sets, a new study has found.

According to LinkedIn’s Jobs on The Rise in 2021 report, a major trend observed is that most roles may be conducted remotely, pointing towards the importance of being equipped with basic digital skills.

The report also noted that globally, remote job opportunities on LinkedIn have increased four times since June. Professionals with digital skill sets will find themselves at an advantage in seeking employment opportunities within these fields, it noted in a statement.

To help navigate the workforce in 2021, the professional social media company compiled a list of job categories since the onset of the pandemic in Southeast Asia (including Malaysia), and the skills required for them (see table at end of article).

“This list of jobs on the rise demonstrates that there are still opportunities for job seekers with a range of skills and experience,” said Frank Koo (pic), head of Asia, talent and learning solutions at LinkedIn.

“By adopting a lifelong learning mindset and being open to picking up new skills through various courses – such as courses on digital skills or soft skills – workers can prepare themselves to take up these emerging roles.”

Besides this overarching trend, LinkedIn also identified the following sub-trends. They are:

1. Consumers in Southeast Asia have gone increasingly digital

During the pandemic, technology has allowed people to work and stay connected to their loved ones. One in three digital service consumers in Southeast Asia were new to the service.  More importantly, 94% of these new digital users are likely to stick with the service moving forward. 

LinkedIn expects that the demand for workers with tech skills will remain, from specialised engineers, to cyber security talent and data analysts. Other relevant jobs are: Data analyst roles, software and technology roles, cyber security roles, technology and engineering roles

2. Brands have found new ways to connect with consumers

The shift online throughout Southeast Asia has brought about an evolution in how brands communication with their consumers. LinkedIn’s data shows a 48% increase in companies posting on the platform in June 2020, compared to a year earlier. 

This has led to growth in demand for digital marketers — professionals who seek to engage consumers effectively online, and digital content creators — those who are able to produce entertaining content across a range of channels. The relevant roles are: Digital content specialist roles, public relations roles, digital marketing specialist roles

3. E-commerce boomed in 2020, leading to a rise of various sectors

While online travel and transport services suffered in 2020, e-commerce, online media and food delivery services surged.  The roles created by this boom do not require traditional educational degrees, or advanced technological skills.

The rise of e-commerce, for example, is fuelling more demand in logistics for warehouse skilled talent. These roles that may be filled by professionals of varying skills and experience and globally, the majority of people who fill these roles often come from non-emerging jobs. 

The relevant roles are: E-commerce roles, customer service roles, supply chain roles, business development and sales roles.

4. Traditional roles have evolved, as a result of COVID-19

LinkedIn saw jobs that were traditionally conducted in-person evolve to be online in 2020. For example, we saw a growth in digital lending, education and health-tech services. 

Those in these sectors need to have mastered the basics of technology, from communication tools, to social media platforms and basic office software. With these skills, workers will find that more opportunities will open up for them. The relevant roles are: Healthcare and medical support roles, healthcare and medical frontline roles, education roles, finance and insurance roles.

Jobs on the Rise in Malaysia