According to the latest predictions from the UK’s Office for National Statistics, the top 10 in-demand jobs in the United Kingdom for 2023 are anticipated to include software developers, IT professionals, healthcare professionals, data analysts, customer service representatives, marketing specialists, financial advisors, accountants and auditors, engineers and architects.
These jobs are expected to be in high demand due to their ability to provide a wide range of services and solutions that can assist businesses to remain competitive in an ever-changing market. Additionally, these jobs require specialised skills that can only be acquired through extensive training and experience. As such, employers will undoubtedly be seeking candidates with the necessary skills and qualifications.
To increase the potential of reaching the interview stage for any career path, a strong and clear curriculum vitae (CV) is vital. For example, a well-crafted CV for a data analyst sets candidates for this position apart from the competition by demonstrating a proven ability to handle complex data sets, draw actionable insights, and make data-driven decisions. This article provides a primer to the most in-demand jobs in the UK in 2023, alongside tips for career-minded individuals to enhance their prospects when determining a developmental job pathway.
The top 10 jobs in the UK in 2023
The jobs listed below are anticipated to account for around two-thirds of all employment in the UK by 2023, with health and social care professionals being the most sought-after job role. The emergence of this trend can be logically attributed to the steadily ageing population that requires increasing medical attention.
1. Software Developer/Engineer
2. Data Scientist/Data Analyst
3. Cybersecurity Specialist
4. Healthcare Professionals (Nurses, Doctors, Pharmacists, etc.)
5. Digital Marketing Specialist
6. Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Specialists
7. Renewable Energy Engineers
8. Financial Analysts/Accountants
9. UX/UI Designers
10. Project Managers
Analysis and descriptions of the top 3 results
The top 10 jobs in the UK for 2023 are expected to be in the fields of healthcare, technology, finance, education, engineering and business. As previously mentioned, healthcare is projected to remain one of the most in-demand sectors; technology is also expected to be a major driver of job growth as companies continue to invest in digital transformation initiatives; finance will likely remain a key sector as businesses identify new means of managing their finances more efficiently and effectively.
Meanwhile, education is predicted to witness an uptick in demand as the public increasingly seeks to accrue higher qualifications and specialised skills; engineering will remain a fundamental area of employment as companies consistently develop new products and services to remain competitive; finally, business roles such as marketing and sales will be highly sought after as companies endeavour to reach new customers and expand their market share.
The top three jobs are defined as follows:
- Software developer/engineer: A software developer is a professional who designs, develops, tests, and maintains software applications. They are responsible for the entire development process of a software product from conception to deployment. Software developers use programming languages such as Java, C++, Python, and JavaScript to create applications that can be installed on computers or mobile devices, working with databases and other technologies to ensure that the software they develop consistently meets user requirements. Additionally, software developers are typically involved in the design of user interfaces and other aspects of the user experience within an application.
- Data scientist/analyst: A data scientist is a professional responsible for collecting, analysing, and interpreting vast amounts of data. They utilise their expertise in mathematics, statistics, and computer science to uncover patterns and trends in data that can be utilised to make more informed decisions. Data analysts are akin to data scientists but focus more on the analysis of existing data sets. They use their knowledge of statistics and programming languages such as Python or R to identify patterns in data and draw conclusions. Data analysts also create visualisations of data to effectively communicate their findings. Both roles require strong problem-solving skills and an understanding of how to interpret complex datasets.
- Cybersecurity specialist: A cybersecurity specialist is a professional specialising in protecting computer systems, networks, and data from malicious attacks. They are responsible for designing, implementing, and managing security measures to protect the information systems of organisations. Cybersecurity specialists must have a deep understanding of the latest cyber threats and be capable of identifying potential vulnerabilities in the networks of organisations. Moreover, they must also be able to develop strategies to mitigate these risks and respond quickly when a breach occurs. Cybersecurity specialists must remain current with the latest technologies and trends to effectively protect their data within an organisation, possessing strong communication skills to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical personnel.
The rise of remote working
In recent years, remote working has exponentially increased across multiple sectors. The most popular online jobs in the UK include freelance writing, virtual assistant, web design and development, social media management, customer service, data entry and online tutoring.
Freelance writing is one of the most common online jobs in the UK as it facilitates individuals to work from home and set their own hours; virtual assistants are typically in high demand as they provide administrative support to businesses remotely, minimising office space; web design and development is another burgeoning career prospect that requires a sound understanding of coding languages (such as HTML and CSS).
As social media platforms continue to be integrated throughout multiple aspects of our lives, social media management is another lucrative option for those with experience in managing social media accounts for businesses or organisations; customer service roles are becoming more frequently available for individuals with superlative communication skills and the ability to handle customer inquiries efficiently.
In terms of administration jobs, data entry is another vocation that has transitioned to an online context that involves entering details into databases or spreadsheets accurately; finally, for those with a teaching background, online tutoring is fast becoming a popular means of supporting yourself whilst helping others learn new skills or subjects.
What common qualifications or skillsets are required?
For individuals who find it challenging to discern where to begin with their careers (but wish to remain adaptable), several overarching skillsets are exceptionally beneficial across several sectors:
- IT and computer skills: Many employers will list specific software or programming languages they require candidates to be familiar with. However, even if you do not have specific experience with the technologies an employer is seeking, having strong general IT skills is an excellent foundation for different careers.
- Communication skills: Communicating effectively is key in any role. However, this is particularly pertinent for customer-facing positions. If you are applying for a role that involves dealing with customers daily, ensure to highlight excellent communication skills in your application.
- Leadership qualities: Many top jobs in the UK require candidates to have inherent leadership qualities – this could involve leading a team of people or simply being able to take charge when required. For those with any experience leading a team or assuming responsibility, underline this trait throughout your CV.
The optimal opportunities for career growth and development
In 2023, accountants, software developers, sales agents, human resource managers, and marketing managers are several examples of careers that accommodate excellent career growth pathways. For example, accountants are in high demand as the economy continues to dominate the public consciousness and businesses must handle their finances effectively; an accountant’s annual pay is approximately £40,000. Software developers are also high in demand as many organisations require personnel to create and maintain custom software systems; the average annual income for a software developer is £45,000.
Meanwhile, sales agents are increasingly required to sell items and services to customers on behalf of enterprises; the average annual compensation is £30,000. Businesses rely on human resource managers to guarantee that the correct candidates for positions are hired and they are managed efficiently; the average annual income for a human resources manager is £50,000. Lastly, marketing managers are responsible for designing and implementing marketing initiatives to promote a company’s products or services; the average annual compensation for a marketing manager is £60,000.
The current salaries of in-demand jobs in the UK
The salaries of in-demand jobs in the UK vary greatly depending on the industry and job role. For example, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), software developers earn an average salary of £45,000 per year, while nurses earn an average salary of £30,000 per year. Other in-demand jobs include IT professionals, who earn an average salary of £40,000 per year; accountants and finance professionals, who earn an average salary of £50,000 per year; and marketing professionals, who earn an average salary of £35,000 per year.
However, salaries also depend on experience level and location. For instance, a software developer in London can earn up to £60,000 per year, while a nurse in Manchester may only earn around £25,000 per year. It is therefore critical to research the salaries for specific roles before applying for a job and assess if you will be rewarded with a fair wage.