Hiring activity for white-collar workers increased in Q1 FY25. The Indeed Hiring Tracker reports a 7% rise in hiring from April-June 2024 compared to January-March 2024. With 73% of employers actively recruiting, momentum is building in key sectors despite broader economic challenges.
As per the tracker, there’s a looming concern about widening skill gaps with 61% of employers foreseeing these gaps increasing significantly within the next two years if skilling initiatives are not prioritised. Despite this, only 23% of employers currently offer personalised training programmes, underscoring a critical disconnect between recognition and action.
For instance, the sales and marketing roles have emerged as critical areas of focus for employers with 30% of hires in sales and 23% in marketing. “This shift signals a strategic push by companies to bolster their growth and performance. As organisations aim to strengthen their market presence, these roles are increasingly seen as pivotal to driving business success,” according to the tracker.
The demand for IT roles remains robust too in Q1 with roles like data analysts (23%), data engineers (16%), and data scientists (11%) at the forefront of the hiring activity.
“Employers are not just looking for proficiency in areas like data science, cybersecurity, and coding; they are also prioritising soft skills such as communication, time management, critical thinking, and problem-solving. This dual focus highlights the evolving expectations from talent where adaptability and a broad skill set are key,” the tracker said.
Indeed’s data highlights that 61% of employees expect a 20%-40% salary jump through upskilling. This expectation comes from the fact that in a rapidly changing job market, professionals with advanced and relevant skills are more likely to command better salaries and job offers.
In addition, there’s a rising demand for career counselling (43%) and mentorship (57%) among job seekers which suggests that they are increasingly looking for guidance in navigating changes in a dynamic market as they fear making the wrong career moves or not fully understanding which skills will be most valuable in the future.