The job-seeking dream team helping to navigate the 2024 hiring market

Job seekers are facing the year ahead with one goal: to find the role that’s right for them. Standing in the way are challenges at a global scale — the introduction of AI is beginning to transform industries, a debate is raging about the value of flexibility vs a return to the office and all the while, Australia's hiring rate has slowed.

But a prepared job seeker also has the world at their fingertips, because more than ever, they are looking beyond the roles they have done before to secure a job on the rise in new and exciting industries — LinkedIn data shows 52% of Australian professionals are actively seeking opportunities outside their current industry or role.

Read More: Check out the 25 fastest-growing jobs in Australia

We have brought together experts including productivity and wellbeing optimiser Amantha Imber , Hiring Buddy founder Darren Terkel , learning and development coach Bích Thủy Thiều-Quang Kohli , HR consultant Shelley Johnson and careers expert Aaron Matrljan . This dream team will help you navigate job-seeking challenges, encourage you to find your purpose and build confidence for interviews and applications in the year ahead.

Check out their insights, and join the conversation: What’s your advice for growing a successful career? Weigh in with a comment on this article or share your own post using #GetHiredAustralia

How is AI changing the roles I want to apply for?

With rapid developments in AI changing the way we work, LinkedIn data shows that skills for jobs in Australia have changed 27% since 2015, meaning those in the same role are needing to upskill at a greater rate. AI is only accelerating this change and LinkedIn data shows one in three professionals do not know how to match their skills to the job they want, making the jobsearch process more difficult.

AI can free up professionals to do more complex and creative work, says Hiring Buddy founder Darren Terkel, but he also tells LinkedIn, “This shift brings challenges, primarily the need for skill adaptation.”

“To stay competitive, candidates must embrace continuous learning and upskilling,” he says. 

“The rapid evolution of AI necessitates a workforce that is agile and adaptable, able to learn new technologies and apply them effectively. This is where education plays a pivotal role.”

So what should you start learning to prepare for future job interviews?

“The hard truth is, we don’t know exactly how AI will impact the future of work,” says HR consultant Shelley Johnson. “We can try to predict the jobs and industries most impacted. But humans are notoriously bad at forecasting the future.”

She says author Morgan Housel argues in his book, Same as Ever, that it's better to focus on things that won't change rather than trying to predict future changes.

“Does that mean we bury our heads in the sand when it comes to AI? Nope. It means we need to build skills and behaviours to handle change and respond in a way that sets us up for success,” she says.

Johnson suggests focusing on three skills — curiosity, creativity and antifragility. Read her full post here.

For productivity and wellbeing optimiser Amantha Imber, it’s simple:

“Don't be nervous about AI replacing you. Instead, be nervous about people who can use AI replacing you,” she said. 

Do you agree? Read her full post and join the conversation here.

👉 See more of Shelley Johnson’s content to better understand HR.

👉 Follow Darren Terkel for more job-seeking content.

I have a job but they’re making me return to the office. What should I do?

The Covid-19 pandemic changed the way workplaces spoke about flexibility. All of a sudden, lockdowns made the ability to work from home core to business productivity and homeschooling necessitated embracing irregular work hours. Since then, job seekers tell LinkedIn they still prioritise flexibility, but some organisations have wound back remote measures.

Imber says it has become so important for professionals’ work-life balance that its removal is causing some professionals to go elsewhere.

“If your workplace has regressed into mandating you to come back to the office against your will, it might be time to find an employer that recognises that choice matters,” Imber tells LinkedIn.

“Flexibility shouldn't be a one-way direction, it should be a two-way conversation.”

Read Imber’s full post here and share your thoughts.

Learning and development coach Bích Thủy Thiều-Quang Kohli agrees, saying she suspects a return to the office, “is largely driven by the need to fill office spaces and support the CBD businesses, and of course a sense of micromanagement in disguise”.

She says that a mandate makes it hard to broach but says it’s worth having a conversation with your manager about your needs before looking for a job elsewhere.

“Come prepared to highlight the value you can bring to the manager, team, and business given you have the flexibility,” she tells LinkedIn.

👉 See more of Amantha Imber’s insights into productivity and wellness.

👉 Follow Bích Thủy Thiéu Quang for more advice on learning and development.

How is job seeking different in economically challenging times?

Careers expert Aaron Matrljan says a sluggish hiring rate makes it all the more important to consider job searching a wide-reaching vocation that extends beyond job applications.

Here’s what he recommends you also do:

Network — Utilise the strong relationships that you have formed across your industry.

Upskill — Use any downtime to make yourself more employable.

Be seen online — Display a high attention to detail by ensuring that your LinkedIn profile is detailed and accurate and matches anything you are sending out to employers. Also ensure that your social media presence is one that creates a positive impression.

Choose stability — If you have choice amongst potential employers then consider the pipeline of work and breadth of clients each offers. 

Play it safe — If you are fortunate enough to be employed, don’t resign until you have secured a position.

Terkel adds it’s important to be flexible in a tight jobs market, saying, “Be open to contract roles to adapt to the market. Many people have been hired into permanent positions this way. Your experience can be valuable, and it's generally easier to get hired quickly.” Read his full post here.

👉 See more of Aaron Matrljan’s content on job seeking.

Want to learn? Here’s an unlocked LinkedIn Learning course about how to get a job in economically challenging times.

As job seekers look to the year ahead, it’s important to keep in mind that the world of work may be changing, but there are always experts willing to share their knowledge, if you know where to look for it. Be sure to follow Top Voices in Jobsearch and Careers Amantha Imber , Darren Terkel , Bích Thủy Thiều-Quang Kohli , Shelley Johnson and Aaron Matrljan .

Reported by: Cayla Dengate

About this article

This article features experts from LinkedIn's Top Voices program covering jobsearch and careers. Top Voices is an invitation-only program featuring a global group of experts on LinkedIn covering a range of topics across the professional world, helping members uncover valuable knowledge relevant to them.

LinkedIn members who meet high trust standards, are consistently active on the platform and share valuable expertise are eligible to become a Top Voice. You can learn more here [and check out other Top Voices articles in Australia here].

Interested in building your audience on LinkedIn? 

New voices emerge all the time — and there’s nothing stopping you from turning your own ideas into powerful conversations. Try creating a post to share your expertise or thoughts on the latest trending news, and you may be surprised at the community you find. If you’re struggling with where to start, follow our LinkedIn Guide to Creating page for content inspiration, tips, news, education and more.