Top 3 trends that will have an impact on job seekers in 2023

1. Hiring for soft skills is on the rise

The pandemic and shift in the job market has caused clients to place more importance on hiring soft skills such as communication, collaboration, teamwork and work ethic. In the current job market where there is a skills-shortage, many employers have realised that they can train technical skills and therefore the ‘tick box’ criteria that existed previously on job descriptions has become more fluid, giving less experienced candidates more opportunity.  

Think about your best attributes, and update your CV to promote important soft skills - what aspects of your personality have been valuable in previous roles that might be adaptable in a new role?  Prepare examples of when you have demonstrated these skills positively in the workplace, so that you can confidently bring them to life in an interview. 

2. Remote and Hybrid working is here to stay

The desire for workplace flexibility has not lessened and 78% of candidates working a hybrid pattern advised that this gave them an improved work-life balance.  

We are seeing the trend for hiring managers to keep hybrid options available to attract top talent, therefore, widening the opportunities available to candidates seeking remote work. This is great but bear in mind that hybrid roles often lead to higher applications, making it essential that you stand out from other candidates. 

Tailor your CV to a position to demonstrate that you are a great match for the role:  look at each job role in isolation and consider what are the key points the client is looking for, look at the company’s website, get a feel for their culture and what is important to them, you should then clearly highlight how you match as many of those aspects as possible. Most importantly, in this new working world of hybrid working, it is still important to many employers that there is a willingness to meet face-to-face in an office, so make sure you show you are flexible in your approach to hybrid working. 

3. Keep on top of your online profiles

64% of Hiring Managers say they screen the social media profiles of potential candidates. Consider how you look on social media to a potential employer. Keeping your LinkedIn profile up-to date and professional is a must if you are seeking a new role in 2023! 

Make sure your experience is not just a list of previous roles, add your key responsibilities, personal attributes, and the skills you have learnt so that your level of experience is obvious and clearly explained. Take an additional check by looking at profiles of other people in similar roles to you to see what stands out in a positive way, if there is anything missing from yours, then adapt your profile accordingly. Think about the articles you like and the comments you make to ensure you are outwardly portraying yourself in the best possible light to a future employer. 

While considering your LinkedIn profile, it is worth reviewing how you are portraying yourself elsewhere online. True, your Instagram and Facebook accounts are personal and not necessarily work-related, but that does not mean a future employer will not look at them. Check what is publicly available to view and consider whether this is how you want to be portrayed by your new manager.  

Feel free to contact us if you would like further advice about how to promote yourself in the best way possible as you look for your new job in 2023.