As technology advances at a rapid pace, so do the jobs that it creates. However, careers that are based on technology do not necessarily change at the same pace – they keep up by evolving. While savvy tech experts can keep up with those changes by increasing their skill sets, new technological advances can also make standard jobs obsolete.
What does it mean for today’s job seekers? It means that they have to be proactive in learning skills that can help them benefit from evolving job opportunities. This includes looking up skills that can aid them in qualifying for a job market that is constantly in flux.
By keeping up with the latest innovations, you can keep your finger on the pulse of that change and benefit from it as well. Here are the top tech innovations and the effects they can have on the job market in 2019 and beyond
1. Hiring Trends will Change for the Better
Online job boards and email submissions may have worked for hiring agencies a decade ago, but they have become obsolete today for good reason. AI-based technology that was developed in 2018 is now allowing recruiting agencies to customize candidate searches. This includes mapping traits and skills that are strong predictors of performance and creating benefit packages that are tailored to target the right candidates.
In fact, today’s recruiting agencies rely heavily on job sites to not only find viable recruits but also to reduce their workload. Rather than aggregating job posts, job sites are now using machine learning to generate recommendations that are customised according to each candidate.
This new hiring trend takes not only employers into account, but also job seekers who are in search of opportunities that can use their particular set of skills. This results in quality candidates that are happy with their jobs and satisfied recruiters who have access to them.
2. Blockchain Management
Contrary to popular belief, blockchain technology has to do with more than just cryptocurrencies. The technology rose to prominence due to the way it secures data. To understand that, you need to understand what blockchain is.
Blockchain is basically data that can only be added to and not extracted from or changed. That is why it is referred to as a ‘chain.’ Since previous blocks cannot be accessed or altered, the information they contain remains secure. This means that there is no need for third parties to oversee or authenticate transactions. This is one of the main reasons why blockchain is used not only protect cryptocurrency, but also critical assets such as global supply chains, real estate transactions, and medical records.
As blockchain technology increases in influence, so too does the demand for professionals who can manage it. In fact, according to TechCrunch, blockchain related jobs are the second fastest growing jobs with around 14 opportunities for every developer. A developer or IT consultant who specializes in blockchain technology is also in high demand for recruiters in search of software engineers and tech consultants for a range of industries such as finance and retail.
3. Personalised Healthcare Technicians
One of the most critical applications of new technological advancements is in healthcare – specifically in improving and introducing methodologies and operations that can save more lives. Due to a serious lack of trained medical professionals, technology is often used as a replacement.
From systems that use AI to detect cancer or strokes, to the introduction of mobile pharmacies that serve patients on their doorstep, the healthcare industry is already on its way to becoming autonomous. In fact, the healthcare tech market is growing at such a rapid pace that it is expected to reach $356 billion by 2025!
2019 may be the year in which it reaches that goal especially when it comes to improving quality of care for patients. This includes the emergence of apps that aid patients in understanding their ailments and whether they should consult a doctor or not. This has allowed hospitals and clinics to cover their up-front costs, which is always good for business.
However, with the rise in healthcare tech there has also been a rise in awareness of personal data issues. Since most data is stored on the cloud, concern over how it is used and secured has led to the need for skilled customer support personnel who are proficient in data analysis and data management. Even though AI can sort through massive amounts of data quickly, it is yet to be perfected enough to replace human alternatives. A single glitch can cost dozens of lives but such emergencies can be avoided with skilled tech support personnel manning the system.
4. Cyber Security Professionals
Even though cyber security has been around for a while now, it has had to evolve to keep up with other technologies. After all, as tech evolves, so do the threats that are associated with them. Hackers have become increasingly savvy trying to access personal data that can go for thousands of dollars on the dark net. That means, they are not stopping their efforts anytime soon and will continue to search for new ways to circumvent security measures no matter how complex they are.
The technology that has been adapted to enhance cyber security includes cloud computing technology, hardware authentication and deep learning, three aspects that are essential in a cyber security professional’s repertoire of skills. This also includes data prevention loss and behavioural analytics which are growing faster in demand than other tech jobs. In fact, according to a report, there may be more than 3.5 million unfulfilled security positions by 2021 even though the industry offers a promising career path and impressive salaries.
The bottom line is that even though advancements in technology are improving our quality of life and promise fulfilling careers, there is a serious shortage of skilled individuals who can take them up. However, this does not mean that non-tech workers (such as HR representatives, nurses, project managers, customer care representatives) cannot be trained to thrive in those skills. Since most technical innovations are based on intuitive AI, the rate of success of training programs can be high.