In-Demand Skills For White-Collar Jobs: Insights and Trends in the Professional Sector

High-skilled, white-collar, jobs surged by 240% in the gig economy alone in 2022. This data is from a study done by gig platform Awign.
It is perhaps reasonably prudent to conclude that the demand for white-collar jobs grew by at least half that rate in the full-time jobs sector.
High-skilled, white-collar, roles are in demand in edtech, ecommerce, fintech, health-tech and quick commerce. Specialist roles that are in demand include those of data scientists, full-stack developers, Java and React developers, and cloud engineers.
Experts also believe that non-IT sectors may drive the demand for white-collar jobs. These include jobs in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, fast-moving consumer goods, hospitality and tourism, healthcare, oil and energy, automobiles, steel and machinery, chemicals and renewables.
What is evident is that, irrespective of the roles, the professional job market is constantly evolving, with certain skills and sectors experiencing higher demand than others. In this article, we will delve into the insights and trends in the professional sector, focusing on the in-demand skills for white-collar jobs.

Understanding these trends can help job seekers and professionals align their skill sets with the current market demands and increase their employability.

Tech skills

Without doubt, the technology function continues to dominate the job market, with 40% of the active demand for freshers and entry-level talent in this field. Tech skills such as programming, software development, data analysis, cybersecurity, and cloud computing are highly sought after. The rapid advancement of technology and the increasing digitalization across industries have led to a significant need for professionals with strong tech skills.

Look around you and you will find that almost every company is trying to build and sustain a technology edge. This requires either a complete overhaul of their existing technology architecture or building a cutting-edge technology platform from scratch. Either of these scenarios requires people with high-quality tech skills coming on board. Technology architects, hardware and software specialists, cybersecurity experts and domain experts in blockchain and allied fields are therefore in great demand.

Sales, business development and marketing

Sales, business development and marketing roles also make up a significant portion of the active demand for freshers and entry-level talent. Companies across sectors recognize the importance of driving sales and business growth, leading to a consistent demand for individuals with excellent communication, negotiation, and marketing skills. Candidates with a knack for building relationships and driving revenue are highly valued.

With the clamor from brands seeking attention in the crowded marketplace, companies want strategists and leaders to drive their sales, business development and marketing functions. Aggression, agility, creativity and innovation are the top traits that are in demand. Companies want their teams to be resourceful, too – they must spend less but get a huge impact out of their sales and marketing campaigns. Impact here is defined by conversions. So, roles here are for highly-skilled people, who are go-getters and are result-driven.

Finance and accounting

The finance sector, including financial services and accounting, remains a vital component of the job market. Strong analytical skills, financial acumen and the ability to handle complex financial transactions are in high demand. Professionals with expertise in financial analysis, auditing, risk management and financial planning are sought after by organizations in various sectors.

The roles in this domain are for people who are sharp and performance-oriented. If you are a creative number cruncher who knows the art of financial modeling and are an astute accountant, you will be in great demand. Ultimately, technologies may change, products may evolve and markets may be driven by various factors, but financial management has only a singular criterion: profits. If you can help the organization squeeze profits out of every unit of currency that is earned, you are the person that everyone will want on their team.

Engineering

The engineering sector continues to offer promising job opportunities for freshers and entry-level talent. The demand for engineers spans across multiple industries, including IT services, manufacturing, infrastructure and telecom. Specializations such as mechanical, electrical, civil, and software engineering are highly valued, as they contribute to innovation, problem-solving and project management.

An engineer’s job may seem monotonous and, often, boring. But, it is a specialist engineer who can help maintain high quality standards. And only when product quality is high can the profits be high.

Customer Support, Operations, and Administration

Roles related to customer support, operations, and administration are also essential in the professional sector. Companies recognize the importance of delivering exceptional customer service and maintaining efficient operations. Individuals with strong communication skills, organizational abilities, and a customer-centric approach are in demand. Additionally, candidates with expertise in project management and process optimization are highly sought after.

In an increasingly AI and bot-driven world, customer support comes at a premium. Companies are looking for people with empathy and relationship-building skills in the customer support roles. Additionally, there is great demand for people who are multi-taskers and process leaders, people who can lead operations seamlessly and efficiently. Project management, execution excellence, negotiation and collaboration are some key skill sets that are in demand.

Sectoral Demand

The demand for freshers and entry-level talent is spread across various sectors. IT services and software products account for 20% of the demand, highlighting the continued growth of the technology industry. Financial services and hospitality sectors follow closely at 10% each, reflecting the importance of these industries in driving economic growth. Other sectors, such as health and wellness, infrastructure, telecom, goods and logistics and retail, also offer significant job opportunities for white-collar professionals.

However, due to the global banks shakeup and their impact on the market, there is a downward trend and scope for slow growth across multiple sectors. , According to our research at Xpheno specialist staffing the active jobs for BFSI have dropped by 25% month-on-month and the non-technical sectors have faced a smaller percentage (4%) in active vacancies. For the technology sector, the number of active jobs has gone down by 13% month-on-month and 56% year-on-year.

Conclusion

The professional sector is dynamic, with specific skills and sectors experiencing higher demand than others. Tech skills, sales, business development, marketing, finance, engineering, customer support, operations, and administration are currently the in-demand areas for freshers and entry-level talent.

It’s crucial for job seekers and professionals to stay updated on the current trends and align their skill sets with the evolving job market. By acquiring and honing these in-demand skills, individuals can enhance their employability and seize exciting career opportunities in the professional sector.