LinkedIn Job Report: Fastest-Growing & In-Demand Roles

LinkedIn recently unveiled its list of the top ten most in-demand and rapidly growing job positions for the third quarter. This data provides insight into the sectors and roles currently attracting the highest demand, offering a useful guide for job seekers and businesses alike.

Notably, the financial sector saw significant job growth during Q3, signalling a renewed interest in finance roles across various levels. Traditional roles also remain highly sought-after, with positions such as salespeople, nurses, and retail workers ranking among the most in-demand jobs.

In the tech sector, demand continues to be steady. Software engineers and full-stack developers are among the top ten most-requested positions, reflecting the ongoing need for digital expertise and technical skills in an increasingly tech-driven world.

This snapshot of Q3 job trends highlights both the resilience of traditional roles and the stable demand for technical skills, offering a well-rounded perspective on the current UK job market.

According to LinkedIn’s latest quarterly analysis, the job market is seeing significant shifts in hiring trends, particularly in the financial sector. The demand for finance roles has grown substantially over the third quarter, reflecting changes in both market needs and economic conditions.

This trend suggests that businesses are prioritising financial expertise, perhaps due to economic adjustments or shifts in consumer spending. As the sector expands, roles across various finance specialisations are becoming increasingly sought-after.

LinkedIn’s data highlights how these trends are shaping the broader job market, providing valuable insights for professionals considering a career move. For job seekers with skills in finance, this period may offer new and promising opportunities.

Overall, the latest LinkedIn report sheds light on how the employment landscape is evolving, emphasising the rising demand for financial roles among other emerging trends.

Fastest-Growing Jobs in Q3 2024

LinkedIn’s data reveals the following roles had the highest quarter-over-quarter growth in job postings:

Collections specialist (+168%)
Business partner (+151%)
General manager (+148%)
Courier (+137%)
Business manager (+136%)
Ultrasound technologist (+135%)
CT technologist (+122%)
Tax accountant (+113%)
Tax consultant (+113%)
Technical specialist (+104%)

Most In-Demand Jobs Overall

While some roles show rapid growth, these positions maintain the highest total volume of job postings:

Salesperson (no change in rank vs. previous quarter)
Software engineer (+1)
Registered nurse (+1)
Retail salesperson (-2)
Project manager (no change)
Customer service representative (+1)
Delivery driver (N/A)
Full stack engineer (no change)
Store manager (+6)
Application developer (N/A)

5 Key Takeaways for Digital Marketers

Here’s a more detailed look into the key trends shaping demand in the current job market for digital marketing and related roles:

Business Partnerships Are in High Demand
Roles that focus on business partnerships have surged by 151%, indicating that companies are prioritising collaboration across teams to achieve strategic goals. This trend calls for marketing professionals to enhance their skills in working across departments, particularly in aligning their work with sales, finance, and operations. Marketers are also expected to become well-versed in martech (marketing technology) stack integration, as this is essential for data flow and collaboration. Additionally, there is a growing need for marketing to be directly tied to business objectives, making it critical for professionals to showcase how their strategies drive measurable results for the company.
Technical Skills Remain Vital in Digital Marketing
Technical expertise continues to be a cornerstone for digital marketers, particularly in roles that require advanced martech knowledge and data analysis skills. As automation tools evolve and expand, staying updated on the latest technologies is crucial. Digital marketers are encouraged to continually improve their data analytics skills to identify trends and maximise campaign performance. Understanding APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) is also becoming a must-have, as APIs allow for better integration of tools and data sources, enabling smoother, more efficient workflows. Mastering these skills can set marketers apart in a rapidly digitalising industry.
Sales Roles Lead the Pack
Sales-related roles remain at the top in terms of demand, underscoring the need for marketers to bridge the gap between marketing and sales. There’s a significant emphasis on producing sales enablement content, which involves creating resources that empower sales teams to communicate the value of products effectively. Marketers should also focus on developing strong lead generation tactics that produce quality leads, rather than quantity alone. Additionally, optimising the sales funnel is essential to ensure prospects move smoothly from awareness to conversion. Building a close relationship with the sales team and aligning objectives is crucial in this area.
Customer Service and Marketing Are More Connected Than Ever
Customer service roles are still highly sought-after as companies recognise the value of creating a seamless experience across every customer interaction. Marketing professionals are now expected to understand omnichannel approaches to customer service, allowing them to manage and synchronise communication across multiple channels, from social media to live chat. This integration enables a unified brand message and better customer insights that can inform future campaigns. Marketers are also encouraged to learn more about chat marketing, which leverages live chat and chatbot technology to engage users in real-time, guiding them along their customer journey.
Project Management Skills Provide a Competitive Edge
Project management (PM) skills are more valuable than ever in digital marketing, as companies seek professionals who can manage complex campaigns and ensure timely delivery. Marketers with expertise in agile methodologies can manage projects flexibly and adapt to change quickly. Campaign planning and execution require careful tracking of KPIs and a focus on metrics that directly impact revenue. Demonstrating clear return on investment (ROI) is key for project managers in marketing, as companies increasingly demand transparency on how marketing activities contribute to the bottom line.

Overall Insights
Today’s most successful digital marketers are those who combine robust technical skills with the ability to work seamlessly across teams, such as sales and customer service, and who can prove the impact of their work through solid metrics. This broad skill set enables marketers to drive value and influence across their organisations, helping them stand out in a competitive job market.

Methodology

LinkedIn’s recent analysis focused on global premium job listings between April and September 2024, offering valuable insights into current hiring trends. To ensure a balanced and reliable dataset, LinkedIn examined only positions with at least 1,000 job posts each quarter. This method helped avoid skewed results and ensured that only roles in consistent demand across various employers were considered.

Additionally, the analysis excluded any roles predominantly filled by a single company, keeping the focus on positions with broad-based appeal across industries. This approach provides a clearer view of the general job market, highlighting the types of roles that are in demand globally and across diverse sectors.

With the next quarterly report due soon, LinkedIn’s analysis is expected to bring even more detailed insights. These upcoming findings could reveal how evolving market conditions continue to influence hiring needs, providing both employers and job seekers with valuable information to guide their decisions in the dynamic employment landscape.