2024 Workplace Trends

The energy of a New Year sparks excitement for transformative opportunities that lie ahead. With trends, including AI resiliency, skills-based hiring, a growing sustainability shift and others impacting overall workforce conditions, professionals of all experience levels are compelled to use their agility to thrive in 2024. Many professionals are already maneuvering through the dynamic work ecosystem.

Resiliency and AI

As more organizations continue integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into their business practices, professional development is imperative. FOBO, or “fear of being obsolete,” is driving many to adapt. To an extent, nearly every job will be disrupted by AI, some more than others.

Experience in using AI is something many organizations value when hiring. By familiarizing themselves with various AI programs, professionals amplify their hard skills. Technological advancements and adoptions won’t stop. It’s vital to remain ahead of disruptions to ride the waves of change.

Skills-Based Hiring

Many hiring teams are beginning to focus on skills and knowledge levels over educational experience, referred to as skills first or skills-based hiring. This requires tailoring resume details to create a skills-oriented work history. Utilizing quantifiable points and detailing tangible outcomes helps job applicants better highlight past achievements along with what they’re capable of accomplishing.

With this hiring method becoming more prominent, future-proofing capabilities helps professionals showcase their growth mindset in an ever-changing job market.

Future-Ready Soft Skills

In a world with increasing technological-work integration, soft skills remain prominent. These capabilities help professionals have productive connections and interactions with coworkers, colleagues or clients. Soft skills utilized across various job areas include:

• Empathy
• Communication
• Collaboration
• Problem Solving
• Leadership

These types of capabilities are relevant and applicable to a majority, if not all, job titles. Out of The World Economic Forum’s 10 in-demand skills, eight are soft skills. Professionals should continually seize opportunities to practice and improve soft skills.

Work and Climate Sustainability

The climate crisis is at a turning point, prompting action worldwide. As a result, many jobs focus on environmental sustainability. “Green jobs” are projected to create over eight million jobs by 2030. Specific higher education or training is needed in some instances, but there are many green job opportunities that include transferable skills, such as communication and writing capabilities.

Job seekers interested in pivoting their careers for the greater environmental good are encouraged to check corporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments to ensure there’s alignment between their personal outlook and an organization’s goals and views.

The Job Candidate Experience

Now for employers – While the employee experience should be prioritized, so should the experience for job applicants. Beginning with the submission of a job application, to the applicant’s final interview stage, a job candidate's experience is comprised of each interaction with a prospective employer.

Regular communication and consideration of the job applicant’s efforts positively impact their perception of an organization and its hiring team. Regardless if an applicant is the best fit for the job opening, creating a pleasant, valuable experience is essential for reputation and retention.

An Inclusive Work Culture

Representation in the workplace is vital to help team members feel welcome. However, corporate efforts are moving beyond that. By shifting away from a diversity-only approach, leaders ensure all employees feel heard while positively impacting worker engagement and unlocking the potential of a diverse workforce.

Last year, the American economy was at risk of a recession, with many making a connection to the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hike campaign. In 2024, economists expect a soft landing. The job market had robust hiring in 2022, with growth totals cooling in 2023 as demand across a majority of job sectors, and wage growth, eased. With 39% of hiring leaders planning to increase hiring in 2024, there’s a lot of optimism for resilient hiring growth this year.

The dynamic work landscape will continue evolving in 2024 and beyond. Embracing change isn’t just a necessity, it’s a gateway to growth. Instead of viewing trends, such as emerging technologies and hiring shifts, as disruptions, redefine them as opportunities for professional development. The world of work is rich with jobs for those eager and ready to transform and propel themselves to the next stage of their careers.

🤔 Which of these trends do you think will impact the world of work the most in 2024? Share your vote in a comment below.

Click here to read past editions of Making It Happen where I share insight to help professionals thrive in the world of work. I also share advice and highlights on YouTube, watch here. Visit my website to learn more about me.

Did you enjoy this blog? Let me know by clicking the “like” button below.