Here Are The Most In-Demand Jobs For 2017

The start of a new year is a time when jobseekers flood the market. If you’re looking for a new job, you might want to suss out just how much competition there is out there in your line of work. Here’s a list of professions that are in high demand in 2017.

Professional recruitment firm Hays has compiled a list of jobs that employers will struggle to fill this year. The list is based on Hays’ analysis of skills that are in short supply and why they are needed in different fields of work. Without further ado, here it is:

• Financial and Commercial Analysts: Required to provide insights and analysis to operations to drive improved business performance.
• Payrollers: As an essential role, departing staff are immediately replaced.
• Professional practice accountants: Fine-tuned technical skills are not enough; employers want exceptional verbal and written communication skills, business acumen and the ability to engage with clients.
• Architects: Sought in the eastern states and South Australia for development projects that require planning and design. Revit software skills are valued.
• Paraplanners and Financial Planners: Candidates with a degree and Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning (ADFP) or Certified Financial Planner (CFP) are in short supply.
• Quantitative Risk Analysts/Modellers, particularly in credit risk: An increase in the amount of lending, the move to online applications and International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) 9 requirements have fuelled demand.
• Contracts Administrators, Site Managers and Project Managers: Needed across much of the country.
• Early Childhood Teachers: Qualified candidates are in high demand but short supply.
• IT Integrators/Coordinators: Skills in both teaching and learning, as well as technical IT expertise, are needed in schools.
• Renewable experience: As renewable energy becomes increasingly popular, these candidates are needed in the energy sector.
• Civil and Structural Engineers: Sought across the country in response to various infrastructure, residential and commercial projects.
• Residential Building Managers: In high demand in eastern states as more high-rise residential projects are completed.
• Case Managers: Needed in healthcare, specifically the disabilities sector, in response to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Employers want candidates with high volume case load experience.
• Senior HR Advisors and HR Business Partners: Professionals who add value to the bottom line rather than solely offering traditional HR services are sought.
• Senior Claims Consultants and Claims Assessors: Required in the life insurance industry as insurers restructure teams and decrease portfolio sizes for claims staff.
• DevOps Engineers: Given the automation trend, candidates with multiple skills are needed to create agile production environments.
• Mid to senior level Construction and Property Lawyers: Current construction and infrastructure projects and active property markets in certain locations create demand across the in-house, private practice and government sectors.
• Supply Chain/Inventory Managers: Those with tertiary qualifications and Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) experience are sought.
• Data Analysts: Needed to manage and manipulate data to gather insights and trends in order to inform, predict and therefore develop targeted calls to action.
• Clinical Research Associates: Pharma, biotech and medical device companies are outsourcing trials to contract research organisations, which creates this staffing demand.
• Production Managers: Regardless of whether a company manufacturers in Australia or not, products must be assembled and delivered on time and within budget.
• Change Managers: Adaptable Change Managers who can work across technology, process and cultural change are needed in the government and financial services sectors.
• Skilled Sales Administrators: Required to support growth in sales teams. Candidates need advanced technical skills and the ability to manage large amounts of data.
• Residential Property Managers: Sought in many states and territories to grow a rental property business.
• Store Managers: Needed in response to the growth of retailers.
• Policy Officers: Experienced candidates with strong written and analytical capabilities are wanted to progress government initiatives.
• Contract Managers: Necessary in many locations due to an increase in bids and tenders.
• Trade-qualified Carpenters: Sought by multiple companies, but there is a skill shortage.

It’s Not Just About Experience

While relevant skills in a given line of work is important, jobseekers can’t rely solely on experience to land a job they want, according to Hays managing director Nick Deligiannis.

“In compiling our list of skills in demand, one common trend was employers’ requests for candidates who can add extra value,” he said. “That could be through previous experience in a related discipline, prior process improvements or efficiency gains, additional tickets or qualifications or advanced digital or systems skills, all of which allow a candidate to perform supplementary duties. Any candidate who offers additional value stands out.”

We will be taking a closer look at in-demand jobs in the IT industry in the first quarter of 2017 later today. Stay tuned!

[Hays]