Workable recruiting data: key job trends and hiring insights

In this article, we will break down key insights from our Workable recruiting data to uncover valuable trends in jobs and candidates.

The recruitment landscape has seen significant changes over the past two years, with the interplay of the pandemic, changing workforce demographics, the rise of remote/hybrid work and of course technological advancements, particularly within the AI space. 

By examining our own data, we aimed to identify emerging job trends and gain insights to enhance our hiring practices.

Which job functions are attracting the highest number of candidates? What functions are dominant in the current job market? What are the top job roles today? Our data speaks volumes.

Top 20 job functions by total number of candidates

The distribution of candidates across various job functions provides a valuable lens into current employment trends and shifting priorities within the job market.

By examining the top 20 job functions attracting the highest number of candidates, we gain insights into the overarching patterns influencing job seeker behavior and industry demands.

Dominance of technology and engineering

A clear trend emerges from our recruiting data, highlighting the dominance of Information Technology and Engineering roles. Information Technology leads with a substantial 14.6 million candidates, followed closely by Engineering with 13.7 million.

This strong interest underscores the growing importance of technology and innovation in the modern economy. 

As digital transformation accelerates and technological advancements continue to reshape industries, the demand for IT and Engineering professionals remains robust, reflecting their critical role in driving economic and industrial progress.

Broad appeal of customer-focused roles

Customer Service and Sales roles also attract significant attention, with 11.9 million and 11.7 million candidates, respectively. This substantial number reflects the continued emphasis on enhancing customer experience and driving revenue. 

The large pool of candidates in these functions indicates that businesses are increasingly prioritizing roles that contribute to customer satisfaction and sales performance, recognizing their impact on overall success.

Rise of data and analytical roles

The interest in Data Analyst positions, drawing 4 million candidates, highlights a growing trend towards data-driven decision-making.

Organizations are increasingly relying on data to inform strategic choices and optimize operations. The rise in candidates for these roles reflects a broader movement towards integrating analytics into business strategies, as companies seek to leverage data for competitive advantage.

Varied interests in traditional and emerging roles

Our recruiting data also reveals a diverse range of interests across both traditional and emerging job functions. Administrative roles attract 7.1 million candidates, while Human Resources and Finance draw 5.7 million and 4.8 million candidates, respectively. 

This enduring interest in established roles indicates their continued relevance in maintaining organizational efficiency and financial health. Simultaneously, newer functions such as Product Management (2.9 million candidates) and Consulting (2.4 million candidates) reflect the evolving nature of the job market, driven by changes in business needs and market dynamics.

Top three roles within top 20 functions by total number of candidates

Understanding the distribution of candidates across job functions provides a broad view of employment trends, but a deeper dive into the most sought-after roles within these functions reveals even more nuanced insights. 

This chapter focuses on the top three roles within each of the top 20 job functions, based on the total number of candidates in the Workable network. 

Five function groups and their share of candidates

For the purposes of this analysis, we divided our recruiting data into five distinct function groups to provide a clearer picture of the job market and its candidate distribution. 

This segmentation allows us to explore the various roles and the proportion of candidates within each group, offering valuable insights for employers and recruiters.

The following sections provide a detailed examination of each function group, highlighting their respective shares of the total candidate pool and the specific roles they encompass.

Technical Jobs (27.33%)

Technical jobs account for the largest portion of our candidate pool, representing 27.33% of all candidates. This group includes roles in IT, Engineering, Data Analysis, and Design. 

The prominence of technical roles reflects the increasing reliance on technology and specialized skills in today’s workforce. Employers in this sector should focus on showcasing opportunities for innovation, career growth, and skill development to attract top technical talent.

People & Service Jobs (25.64%)

People & Service jobs constitute 25.64% of the candidate pool. This category covers roles in Customer Service, Sales, Human Resources, Health Care Providers, and Education. The significant representation of this group highlights the importance of interpersonal skills and service-oriented roles.

Business & Management Jobs (11.03%)

Business & Management jobs represent 11.03% of the candidate pool. This group includes Project Management, Product Management, Management, Business Development, and Consulting roles. 

Although smaller in proportion compared to technical and people & service roles, business and management positions are critical for organizational success. 

Administrative & Financial Jobs (10.86%)

Administrative & Financial jobs make up 10.86% of the candidate pool. 

This function group includes Administrative roles, Finance, and Accounting/Auditing positions. Despite being a smaller segment, these roles are essential for the smooth operation of organizations. 

Other (25.14%)

The “Other” category encompasses a diverse array of roles not covered by the previous groups, representing 25.14% of the candidate pool. This broad category reflects the variety of roles and industries outside the major function groups. 

Detailed role-specific data within these functions can guide employers in understanding candidate trends and tailoring their recruitment strategies accordingly. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for effective talent acquisition in an increasingly competitive job market. 

Additionally, the distribution of candidates across various job functions and roles highlights the evolving demands and interests within the market.

Thirsty for more data? Read our latest hiring pulse edition.

Key takeaways from Workable’s recruiting data

To wrap up, the following four key takeaways will provide a clear roadmap for effectively navigating the evolving job market and optimizing your recruitment efforts. Check out the insights from Workable’s recruiting data below:

1. High demand for technical and IT roles 

With IT and Engineering roles attracting over 14 million and 13 million candidates respectively, it’s clear that technical skills are in high demand. 

With no surprise here, this trend reflects the growing importance of technology in various sectors and the increasing need for skilled professionals to manage and innovate in these areas. 

Roles such as Full Stack Developer, DevOps Engineer, and Data Engineer are particularly popular, indicating a strong interest and requirement for specialized technical expertise.

2. Notable interest in people and service-oriented roles

Customer Service, Sales, and Human Resources roles collectively draw substantial interest, highlighting the crucial role of people and service-oriented functions in businesses.

Customer Success Managers, Sales Development Representatives, and HR Talent Acquisition Specialists are among the top roles, showcasing the need for professionals who can enhance customer experience, drive sales, and manage human resources effectively.

3. Administrative and Financial jobs hold steady importance 

Administrative and financial roles, though not as numerous as technical or service roles, still attract a significant number of candidates. Executive Assistants, Accountants, and Administrative Assistants are key roles within this category, emphasizing the ongoing need for organizational support and financial management in businesses.

4. Emerging trends in Project and Product Management: 

The interest in Project Management and Product Management roles indicates a growing focus on structured project execution and product development. 

Additionally, with the rise of AI tools, more generalist roles like Project Manager and Product Manager are in high demand, reflecting the need for professionals who can oversee projects from inception to completion and manage product life cycles effectively. 

By leveraging these insights based on our recruiting data, businesses can enhance their recruitment processes, attract the right candidates, and ultimately drive success in an increasingly competitive job market.