Careers on the Rise: The Most In-Demand Jobs in 2023

It’s safe to say that the world of work has changed exponentially, especially over the last few years. In only a short time, we’ve gone from the typical 9 to 5 jobs to remote, hybrid and flexible working practically overnight.

While COVID-19 absolutely helped to accelerate the digitisation of the workforce, it’s likely it was only a matter of time before it got there on its own. However, since this shift has happened sooner rather than later, it’s leaving professionals from every industry wondering what the future of the workforce will look like and what part they’d like the play in it. 

If you’re one of the many people looking for a fresh start, below we review some of the most in-demand jobs in 2023 to give you a better idea of what other roles might suit you.

In-Demand Jobs in 2023

1. HR Director 

Similar titles: Chief Human Resources Officer, Chief People Officer, Head of Talent Management

If you’re interested in the wonderful world of HR, becoming an HR Director might be a great career path for you.

HR Directors are typically in charge of the organisation’s HR and L&D departments as well as developing and executing the overarching HR strategy, particularly in financial planning, talent acquisition, and employee engagement.

Whether you want to step up in your current HR career or make the switch to the people profession, you may want to consider enrolling on an online professional CIPD qualification before leaving your old role behind. CIPD qualifications can give you the knowledge, skills and credentials you need to land an HR Director role - or at least a mid to senior role that will help you make you way there - all while you learn on your own time, at your own pace!

2. Diversity and Inclusion Manager 

Staying in line with the HR theme, if you’re someone who wants to support innovative and progressive initiatives to improve diversity, equity and inclusion strategies in the organisation, then becoming a D&I Manager may be the perfect role for you.

You’ll be in charge of designing company policies that reinforce diversity at work and how to address the various levels of harassment while still managing to protect minority groups. You’ll also train hiring managers on how to attract, manage, and retain diverse employees.

If you’re not sure whether you have the correct skillset , as mentioned above, a professional CIPD HR qualification (with us, for example!) is a great place to start to get you on track.

3. Talent Acquisition Specialist 

Similar titles: Talent Acquisition Manager, Delivery Consultant, Recruiter

If you’re a people person who loves to interact and engage new and potential talent for your organisation, you may want to consider a role as a Talent Acquisition Specialist.

In this role, you’ll focus on long-term HR and L&D strategies to attract, interview, hire and onboard employees within the organisation with an aim to find the ideal matches for your company’s long-term goals. 

Organisations know that they need to rely on their employees to play a key role in their success, and Talent Acquisition Specialists know how to get the right people in the right roles.

4. Teacher 

Arguably one of the most important career paths, teaching is back on the rise again in 2023 (and parents will be glad to be rid of online schooling now that the pandemic has finally slowed down).

While both primary and secondary school teachers are in high demand these days, secondary school teachers are of particular value in the UK this year.

So, if you have previous teaching experience, are good with people and have a passion for sharing your knowledge with others, consider shifting gears and move into teaching to help educate and guide the young people of Britain.

5. Business Analyst 

These days IT plays a major role in the success of modern organisations, so if you’re someone interested in the fast growing field of information technology, this role might be right up your ally.

Business analysts typically work closely with company stakeholders to identify goals, objectives and best practices for data collection and to analyse the organisation’s current systems and processes to determine what can be improved in alignment with the organisation’s needs.

In other words, business analysts conduct research and analysis in the aim to provide solutions to businesses and their clients.

If you’re interested in this kind of role but need to brush up on your current skills, it might be worth taking a look the BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis. You’ll learn the basics to becoming an impactful Business Analyst with the added benefit of being accredited by an internationally recognised qualification from The Chartered Institute for IT.

6. UI/UX Designer 

A couple of the most popular jobs in the tech-related field are User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) design.

If you’re interested in or already have experience in web development, there’s no better time than right now to get your new career going! UI and UX designers are in high demand as the working world is quickly becoming digital, and organisations need people to make sure that websites and mobile applications look good and function as they need to so that organisations can generate and conduct business efficiently.

Need to brush up on your skills? The Chartered Institute for IT also offers a BCS Foundation Certificate in User Experience that will help you gain practical insight into UX skills, concepts, tools and techniques.

7. Marketing Specialist 

Marketing has fast become a lucrative career in virtually every industry, and as such, there are thousands of organisations looking to improve their marketing strategies - digital and otherwise - by hiring the marketing specialists they need to make an impact.

So, if you’re a creative, detail-oriented individual that can adapt quickly to the always-changing marketing landscape, then a career in marketing could be a great change for you!

Perhaps the best thing about marketing is that it’s relatively simple to get your foot in the door if you’re looking for a career change as there are tons of varied marketing roles depending on what area of marketing you’re most interested in, including content marketing, search engine optimisation (SEO), and social media marketing.

If you don’t currently have marketing experience but have experience in sales, campaign management, or communications, you may easily sidestep into a marketing career, however, there are a number of CIM marketing qualifications that are perfect if you want to formalise or build on your existing skills.

8. Software Engineer 

The role of a software engineer is to focus on the creation of specific programmes and operating systems.

With technology advancing everyday, software engineers will continue to be in high demand into the foreseeable future, so if you’re interested in or already know how to analyse and modify existing software or design, develop and construct end-user applications that align with organisational needs, this is the well-paid and rewarding career you’ve been looking for.

Keep in mind that while a software engineer tends to possess similar skills as a software developer, a developer doesn’t always have the same technical knowledge necessary to have a practical understanding of the big-picture design and management of an entire system.

9. Nurse 

We already knew that nursing was one of the most in-demand (and genuinely demanding) jobs in the world, but when the pandemic hit we realised just how much we took our health care staff for granted.

That being said, it’s not surprising that nursing is still currently a high-priority role that hospitals, doctor’s offices, and care facilities alike are looking to fill.

So, if you truly enjoy caring for others, have previous nursing experience - or are willing to go through the necessary schooling - there are plenty of nursing opportunities waiting for you in UK and around the world.

10. Import Specialist 

Import specialists work closely with both national and international suppliers, ensuring that goods are shipped safely to and from the UK (and around the world) by any means necessary (i.e. plane, train, automobile or boat).

With the rise of online retail, especially during the pandemic, it makes sense that import specialist roles are currently on the rise. Thanks to platforms like Amazon, it’s become an expectation of the general public that their good and services are provided quickly and efficiently, but we often forget the amount of work that goes into getting our goods into the shop, let alone directly to our door.

So, if you’re a highly organised individual interested in a dynamic role in customs regulations, international logistics and procurement and supply, starting a career as an Import Specialist might be an exciting choice for you!

11. Accountant 

Every business needs a finance team to help them stay on budget and make those critical financial decisions.
An Accountant collects, audits, tracks, and manages the organisation’s finances while also managing the expectations of senior management in regards to the level of spend available for various ventures.

The great thing about a career in accountancy is that you don’t necessarily need any previous experience to simply get your foot in the door and start on your way to becoming a full-time accountant.

For example, if you have the fundamental proficiency needed in English and Maths, you can enrol on one (or more) of the many professional qualifications with the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) to kickstart or simply progress your career in finance in no time.

12. Project Manager 

In any organisation or industry, projects big and small need someone to manage them effectively, and if you’re someone who loves to plan, delegate, and oversee projects then starting a career as a Project Manager may be exactly what you’re looking for!

Project managers’ main function is not only to plan but to help organise and execute projects on a specific timeline with a specific budget. You’ll choose project resources, prepare budgets, track progress, and keep any stakeholders informed as you go, adjusting accordingly to any challenges along the way.

If you’re interested in a project management role but feel that you might need to formalise your skills before diving into actually applying, it’s worth taking a look at studying a PRINCE2 qualification, as their qualifications are typically prerequisites for many project management careers anyway, and their methods are used worldwide.

Want to learn about even more careers on the rise? Check out these in-demand jobs in the UK and the Middle East from LinkedIn.


Looking to change or enhance your career? Enrol on a 100% online professional qualification from our range of courses in HR, L&D, finance, project management, and more.