Job Seeking? These Industries Are Hiring Now

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Despite being on par with pre-pandemic levels, recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows job openings have dropped to their near-lowest level in the last two years.* However, job seekers should remain optimistic and take encouragement from low unemployment rates, both nationally and for specific professions, and from sustained growth in several smaller industries.

For example, workers within the tech and IT industry, had on average a 0.7% unemployment rate across 2024, followed by government and public sector (1.6%), financial services (2.1%), and education services (2.5%).

Moreover, according to Robert Half’s research specific to roles within finance, administrative, technology, legal, and marketing functions, the sectors seeing the year-on-year gains in 2024 were business and professional services, finance and insurance, healthcare, manufacturing, and information technology industries.

Where are we seeing growth in the job market?

What industries are hiring now? Research for Robert Half’s Demand for Skilled Talent report helps answer these questions.

Here are some highlights of Q4 2024 job posting growth across industries compared with the same period in 2023. These findings are based on our analysis of 2 million positions over the last two years appearing on more than 8,000 independent job boards and company websites.

Expanding industries in Q4 2024

Utilities: +121%

Business and professional services: 98%

Financial services: 78%

Healthcare: 54%

Tech and IT: 51%

Construction: 44%

Education services: 37%

Real estate: 37%

Manufacturing: 33%

Top jobs in Q4 2024

View the report

Software engineer/developer: +74,000 jobs

Customer service specialist: +70,400 jobs

Administrative assistant: +46,100 jobs

Project manager: +39,500 jobs

Office manager: 19,400 jobs

Staff and senior accountants: +17,600 jobs

Marketing manager: 9,800 jobs

Systems administrator: 9,700 jobs

Stay ahead of the competition and make informed decisions about your career path. See Robert Half’s Demand for Skilled Talent report for valuable insights into industries hiring now.

Reasons to feel positive about the job market

It’s easy for job seekers to feel discouraged about reports that the number of job openings is declining. But keep in mind that the latest Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary (JOLTS) report from the BLS shows there were still 8.1 million job openings at the end of November. Additionally, the U.S. economy added 256,000 jobs in December, far exceeding economists’ expectations.

Workplace research from Robert Half suggests many employers are feeling confident about growth and investing in hiring new talent: Nearly all companies intend to hire in the first half of this year, with 63% looking to add net-new positions rather than simply staffing vacated roles.

Small businesses, which are often seen as a bellwether for economic conditions, also have a positive outlook. The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index climbed to a six-year high in December. NFIB’s research also found that 35% of small business owners had job openings in December that they were unable to staff because they could not find candidates who met their requirements.

Tips for job search success in industries hiring now

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Economic conditions and the labor market are always evolving. But the trends and indicators outlined above suggest many industries are hiring now, and employers will be looking to hire skilled talent in the months ahead, too.

To maximize your job search success, consider the following strategies:

Expand your industry focus: If opportunities are limited in your current field, explore adjacent industries where your skills and experience may be transferable. Fields like technology, healthcare and financial services are actively hiring across multiple roles.

Showcase your impact in job applications: Resumes and cover letters should emphasize specific contributions you made in previous roles—like cost savings, process improvements or revenue growth. These details about how you’ve added value can help you stand out.

Leverage your personal and professional networks: Reaching out to former colleagues, mentors and industry connections on LinkedIn or through professional organizations can help you uncover hidden job opportunities.

Sharpen your digital presence: Speaking of LinkedIn, make sure your profile is up to date and ready to catch a hiring manager’s eye. Highlight your key achievements and relevant skills, and consider sharing industry insights or engaging in discussions to help increase your visibility. (See these tips for building your LinkedIn profile.)

Engage proactively in continuous learning: Many employers seek candidates with up-to-date skills who can hit the ground running once they’re hired. Consider investing in relevant certifications or online courses to help fortify your qualifications and improve your marketability when competing for jobs in industries hiring now.

Finally, keep in mind that work flexibility might be on your side, depending on the roles and sectors you are targeting. Hybrid and remote jobs are widely available in many industries. That means you can cast a wider net when applying for jobs and compete for opportunities beyond your location.

Methodology: Our analysis is based on 2 million job postings within the U.S., provided by Textkernel, from over 8,000 company websites and job boards between Q1 2023 and Q4 2024.

*Job Openings and Labor Turnover – November 2024, BLS, January 7, 2025.

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