Recruitment experts reveal the most in-demand skills for 2024 per sector

With the right skills, you can steal the competitive edge in 2024. With burgeoning business growth, low employment rates, and stable salaries at odds with the cost of living, advancing your position over the next 12 months could all come down to getting the right skills in place. And our experts have the insights to guide your way.

Whether you want to make smart investments in training and development, increase your professional value, or make more targeted hiring decisions for the year ahead, our recruitment experts can help.

We've compiled this quick-glance guide from data and insights collected for the Robert Half 2024 Salary Guide, which contains independently collected survey responses from 500 employers and 1000 employees across UK SMEs and large organisations.

Download now: Robert Half 2024 Salary Guide

Economic uncertainty may still be rife, but that isn't stopping businesses planning for growth and continuity. According to our data, 47% of employers intend to add permanent headcount, and most will maintain contract, freelance, and project support roles into 2024. However, the war for talent is stunting these plans and creating a tighter jobs market.

The cost-of-living crisis is heavily impacting the UK hiring market. Workers want salary increases in line with inflation — something 22% of employers say they can't do. Low unemployment rates and the demand for skilled talent have given workers confidence in their ability to find a higher-paying role elsewhere, leaving three-quarters of employers concerned about their ability to retain and attract skilled talent.

Read more: Robert Half Jobs Confidence Index

Talent management will be a key focus for employers in 2024. Not only will they be looking for HR talent with experience in employee relations and recruitment, but they'll also look at perks and benefits to circumvent a wage spiral. According to our data, workers are looking for financial allowances for working from home, meal vouchers, and fuel assistance.

Finance and accounting

1. Financial modelling

2. Data analytics

3. Digital proficiency

4. Cashflow management

5. Forecasting

The most in-demand skills for tech and IT talent are being driven by the eCommerce, fintech, and financial services industries. These industries are supporting new growth and digital/cloud projects with talent specialising in cyber security, ERP implementation, and full-stack development.

Tech talent with strong people skills can expect to do well in the 2024 job market as employers hunt for candidates with stakeholder management, people management, relationship management and communication skills.

IT and technology

1. Cloud (AWS/Azure/GCP)

2. Dynamics/NetSuite/SAP

3. Python/SQL

4. React JS/Node JS/Angular JS

5. .Net

The eCommerce, fintech, and financial services industries are driving the most in-demand skills for tech and IT talent. These industries are supporting new growth and digital/cloud projects with talent specialising in cyber security, ERP implementation, and full-stack development.

Tech talent with strong people skills can expect to do well in the 2024 job market as employers hunt for candidates with stakeholder management, people management, relationship management and communication skills.

Marketing and creative

1. CMS

2. Marketing automation tools

3. SEO

4. CRM

5. Graphic design

The creative and marketing sector is prioritising permanent and contract hiring in 2024 to help mitigate the burnout and heavy workloads their teams are experiencing. Management roles are some of the most sought-after for contract and permanent jobs.

The skills in demand for creative talent in 2024 continue to support the move to data-driven marketing. Professionals who can quickly and decisively act on trends and data insights, use tools to track progress, and present it back with results continue to be in hot demand. Because of this, employers are also keen to hire candidates with Google Ads certifications, SEO skills, and analytical skills.

Administrative, HR, and office support

1. Human resources information system (HRIS)

2. Compensation and benefits management

3. Budgeting

4. Microsoft 365

5. Data analytics

With talent management hot on the agenda for 2024, employers are looking for HR candidates with proven skills in employee relations, recruitment, and compensation and benefits management. Digital skills like Microsoft 365, HRIS experience, and data analytics are crucial to support thorough people reporting.

Businesses are also looking for admin, HR, and office support professionals with DEI and ESG experience to underpin their evolution towards a greener, more inclusive future. Admin and office support candidates with project management and stakeholder management skills will also be popular in 2024.

Legal

1. Commercial contract negotiation and review

2. Data privacy law

3. Commercial real estate

4. Construction and engineering contracts

5. SaaS agreements

Qualified legal talent with commercial and generalist experience will continue to be in high demand in the jobs market in 2024 as firms focus on bolstering teams or starting in-house legal functions.

Our recruiters have seen a strong demand for legal candidates with soft skills that cover stakeholder management, project management, and horizon scanning. Workers with skills and experience in cyber security legal consulting, fintech, and crypto are some of the hardest to find, making their professional value particularly high at present.

Financial services

1. IFRS 9

2. Tax

3. Financial modelling (VBA)

4. Year-end/month-end reporting

5. Data management

Despite the tight market, recruiting for the financial services sector is burgeoning. 61% of employers intend to hire for permanent roles in 2024, and they are especially interested in candidates with experience in financial crime, accounting and fund management.

Outside of industry qualifications like ACAMS, CISI, and ICA, the most in-demand FS professionals should have evidence of strong stakeholder management skills, excellent communication skills, and the ability to be flexible and collaborative in their work approach.

Would you like to learn more about hiring trends, in-demand skills, and salaries for 2024? Download your free copy of the Robert Half 2024 Salary Guide, or visit the advice blog for more deep dives and insights. You can also contact our team to find top talent in your sector or browse open roles now.

Generations in the workplace: why inclusive meetings are more productive

Expert advice: how soon after redundancy can I start a new job?

AI in the boardroom: risk, reward, and innovation