A look inside remote job trends

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our working lives, and we’re seeing the impact on the job market – especially in relation to remote jobs.

Using LinkedIn data we analysed the growth of remote job postings, views, and applications, as well as the top applied for remote roles. Our data shows that the “new normal” of working from home may be here to stay. 

Globally the share of job postings for remote jobs on LinkedIn has grown 181% from the first week of March to the last week of May, 2020. Meanwhile the volume of job searches using the “Remote” filter on LinkedIn has increased ~60% since March 1st.

Global growth in volume of job searches using “Remote” filter

Source: LinkedIn Data

Remote job postings are increasing at varying rates across EMEA

The data reveals there are dramatic increases of remote job postings across each country, which is unsurprising as the world entered lockdown. While some of the countries analysed are far higher than others, overall the trends demonstrated substantial increases all round.

However, there are interesting variations among countries. For instance, Spain has seen a 282% increase in remote job postings, while France saw a 136% increase.

Note: Remote job postings refers to jobs that have been posted on LinkedIn where the built-in remote work option was allowed and/or the job title includes keywords related to remote work.

Remote job views are increasing per country, but not equally

The activity in views of remote jobs has also increased greatly. However, interestingly, in most cases, the increase has not matched the same growth rates that have been seen in job postings.

For example, despite Germany having a 200% increase in remote job postings, there was a 118% increase in job views for remote roles.

Whereas the data has shown us that in France, the growth in remote job postings (136%) was almost matched by the growth in activity of those viewing remote job posts (133%).

So while remote job postings are growing dramatically, remote job views have not grown at the same rate. Companies have had to adapt more agile recruitment tactics to continue to function, but perhaps in a climate of economic uncertainty, the workforce has not adapted at quite the same rate. The evidence that companies are adjusting hiring strategies, and building in longer-term remote working as part of job specifications, could indicate that flexible working becomes the standard in future. This in turn could help to expand the typical talent pools – that may have been restricted by physical locations – to include potential candidates outside of cities and capitals.

The question is how will this trend continue post lockdown, and how will businesses continue to build remote talent management into their long term strategies?

Note: Remote job views refers to job viewing activity on remote job postings identified on LinkedIn, where the built-in remote work option was allowed and/or the job title includes keywords related to remote work.

Remote job applications are growing, but in some countries more than others

Overall remote job applications are up in each of the countries we analysed, but there are variations in the percentage increases per country worth noting.

The UAE saw the highest increase in remote job applications at 293%, whereas Germany had an 84% increase – a big increase all the same. Although the dramatic increase in those applying for remote roles could be driven by those seeking employment after reductions, it may also be driven by those applying for roles which previously may have been seen as physically bound to an office location, and have now pivoted to a remote working set up.

Interestingly, Germany had a 200% increase in job postings with ‘remote’ as part of the description, and a 118% increase in remote job views, but the increase in those actually applying for these roles was 84%.

Note: Remote job applications refers to job application activity on remote job postings identified on LinkedIn where the built-in remote work option was allowed and/or the job title includes keywords related to remote work.

However, the types of remote jobs being applied for have similarities

There is clearly a growth in application for remote jobs across all seven countries. As for the types of roles that have seen the largest growth, the top jobs applied for included marketing, data, technology, sales and customer support representative roles.

The top remote job applied for in France was Marketing Manager with a significant increase of applications. Similarly in the UK, the number one applied for remote job was Head of Marketing which saw a large increase since March 1st.

Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain all saw the Customer Support Representative jobs coming out as the roles with the highest growth in applications.

In the UAE, applications for remote Sales Executive roles grew the largest amount – making it the top applied for remote role.

Note: Remote jobs refers to jobs that have been applied to through LinkedIn job posts that have the remote work option allowed and/or the job title includes keywords related to remote work.