We delve into the nine biggest trends that recruiters, companies, and employees will see in the job market in 2022.
The job market has been through a huge amount of upheaval over the last two years thanks largely to the pandemic, and the situation isn’t likely to calm down in 2022. Since the job market is so volatile, it’s more important than ever to stay on top of the substantial changes and trends. That’s not just true if you’re a recruiter or employer, either; if you’re a jobseeker, then staying on top of things is your best chance and landing the best position. We’ve rounded up nine of the top trends that you should expect to see in 2022 and explained why they’re going to be such a big deal. Read through this, and you’ll have all the information you need to get the most out of your working life in 2022. And if you need more information about the jobs market, here’s our round-up of the ten best ways to recruit talent for your business, and head here to see our verdict on the best US job sites. The global pandemic saw tens of millions of people subjected to enforced lockdowns, which meant that many people had to adapt to working at home – and lots of people found that they liked it. A survey conducted by FlexJobs found that 58% of people wanted to work at home permanently after the pandemic, and that 39% wanted a hybrid environment. Studies have also found that remote workers are more productive than in-office staff, and that remote working opportunities mean that companies can hire from a more diverse pool of talent. People’s preference for home and remote working isn’t going to go away, especially as COVID-19 variants emerge and prolong lockdowns in various countries. Indeed, it’s less of a trend and more of a permanent change. Candidates will expect home and hybrid working options as standard when they apply for positions, while companies will have to offer flexible and home working options if they want to attract and keep the best talent. Some people will prefer the office, some people will want to work at home, and others will need a mix of both – and the best companies will cater to this need. Remote work won’t just be on the rise in 2022 – different kinds of work will continue to be a key trend in the job market. We’re seeing more positions for contract work, project work, and one-off commissions, and more people are finding that self-employment is a better option for them than conventional employment. The gig economy is a big deal now, too, and that’s not set to change either. These diverse kinds of working will continue to grow in 2022, and that means companies will have to adapt to a far more varied kind of jobs market. More people want more flexibility these days, and traditional salaried and hourly positions just aren’t cutting it anymore. The job market in 2021 saw more open positions than there were candidates, which means that job applicants were in a position of power.
