Talent professionals are buzzing about blockchain — many believing that it has the potential to revolutionize the industry. While that vision is still fuzzy, it looks like blockchain already is transforming who you hire.
The newly released LinkedIn 2018 U.S. Emerging Job Report reveals that blockchain developer has been by far the fastest-growing job from 2014 to today. The demand for blockchain developers has grown by an astounding 3,300%, nearly three times more than machine learning engineer, the No. 2 job on the list. Many of the other jobs on the list are also linked to emerging technologies, such as AI, machine learning, and renewable energy, while other fast-growing roles, such as administrative assistant and business support consultant, have been around for a long time.
Here are the 15 fastest-growing jobs — and some tips on where to find people to fill them — in the U.S.:
1. Blockchain Developer (33x growth)
- Top Skills: Solidity, Blockchain, Ethereum, Cryptocurrency, Node.js
- Where They Work: IBM, ConsenSys, Chainyard
2. Machine Learning Engineer (12x)
- Top Skills: Deep Learning, Machine Learning, TensorFlow, Apache Spark, Natural Language Processing
- Where They Work: Apple, Intel, NVIDIA
3. Application Sales Executive (8x)
- Top Skills: Software as a Service, Cloud Applications, Human Capital Management, Enterprise Resource Planning, Solution Selling
- Where They Work: Oracle, AT&T, Avaya
4. Machine Learning Specialist (6x)
- Top Skills: Machine Learning, Deep Learning, TensorFlow, Python, Artificial Intelligence
- Where They Work: Google, Amazon, Apple
5. Professional Medical Representative (6x)
- Top Skills: Pharmaceutical Sales, Sales Effectiveness, Product Launches, Medical Devices, Gastroenterology
- Where They Work: Exact Sciences, Taro Pharmaceuticals, Abbott
6. Relationship Consultant (5.5x)
- Top Skills: Banking, Retail Banking, Loans, Consumer Lending, Credit
- Where They Work: Regions Bank, Merrill Edge, Vanguard
7. Data Science Specialist (5x)
- Top Skills: Machine Learning, Data Science, Python, R, Apache Spark
- Where They Work: IBM, Facebook, McKinsey & Company
8. Assurance Staff (5x)
- Top Skills: Auditing, Accounting, Financial Reporting, Internal Controls
- Where They Work: EY, Plante Moran, Moss Adams
9. Sales Development Representative (4x)
- Top Skills: Salesforce, Cold Calling, Software-as-a-Service, Lead Generation, Sales Prospecting
- Where They Work: Salesforce, memoryBlue, Core-Mark International
10. Business Support Consultant (4x)
- Top Skills: Risk Management, Credit, Banking, Business Analysis, Business Process
- Companies Employing This Talent: Wells Fargo, Consumers Energy, Roche
11. Solar Power Consultant (4x)
- Top Skills: Solar Energy, Renewable Energy, Sales, Business Development, Marketing
- Companies Employing This Talent: Vivint Solar, Trinity Solar, Powur
12. Administrative Assistant (4x)
- Top Skills: Receptionist Duties, Administrative Assistant, Data Entry, Office Administration, Microsoft Office
- Companies Employing This Talent: Wells Fargo, JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America
13. Background Investigator (4x)
- Top Skills: Investigation, Background Checks, Private Investigations, Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice
- Companies Employing This Talent: CACI International, KeyPoint Government Solutions Perspecta
14. Machine Learning Researcher (4x)
- Top Skills: Deep Learning, Machine Learning, TensorFlow, Python, Algorithms
- Companies Employing This Talent: Amazon, Apple, Microsoft
15. Data Science Manager (4x)
- Top Skills: Data Science, Machine Learning, Apache Spark, Python, R
- Companies Employing This Talent: Facebook, Capital One, Microsoft
When we look closely at the data, here are some of the most interesting patterns that emerge and that may offer recruiters interesting possibilities when they have to start filling these jobs:
- Artificial Intelligence will remAIn in demand: We are being programmed to believe that robots and AI, like thieves in the night, will steal most of our jobs and all of our children’s jobs. The truth is actually both more complex and more interesting — humans with AI skills will be increasingly in demand. Six of our 15 emerging jobs are related in some way to AI. Five of the jobs have machine learning as a top skill, while four others call for mastery of Python, a programming code often used in AI projects. Three others list TensorFlow, a software library for dataflow programming that is considered the engine for Google’s AI.
- It’s Apple-picking time: As recruiters come to terms with jobs they may be filling for the first time, or filling in volume for the first time, they may find it helpful to see who is already employing people in these positions. Given that Apple became the first U.S. company valued over $1 trillion earlier this year and has 123,000 full-time employees, it’s no surprise that the tech giant is one of the top companies for three of the emerging jobs — machine learning engineer, machine learning specialist, and machine learning researcher. Wells Fargo is the No. 1 employer of two fast-growing but long-time jobs: business support consultant and administrative assistant.
- Is Big Data the little brother of Big Brother? Remember when the shadowy presence that was keeping tabs on our every move was referred to as Big Brother? Now that distinction belongs to Big Data, but the predictive analytics that we call Big Data is being deployed everywhere, for such useful purposes as strengthening public health care, developing new teaching strategies, improving supply-chain logistics, and preventing credit card fraud. Data science specialist, our No. 7 fastest-growing job, has had a five-fold increase since 2014 and data science manager (No. 15), a four-fold increase. Facebook is a top employer of both.
We recently looked at the jobs of the future, roles you will be recruiting for in 2030 that don’t even exist today. We found — surprise! — that many of those jobs will spring out of technologies, such as autonomous vehicles, alternative energy, 3D printing, and blockchain, that have become more and more widespread in the last few years. The good news then is that learning how to find talent to fill these emerging roles is likely to set you up to be a successful recruiter far into the future.
Methodology:
This report was created by analyzing LinkedIn Economic Graph data between 2014 - 2018.
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Topics: Data insights
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