In the fall and winter, 52% of U.S. companies are looking to fill new positions—these are the roles that are most in demand.

Although many jobseekers still face lengthy interview processes and intense competition for certain roles, this situation may soon improve.

Julia Pollak, the chief economist at ZipRecruiter, tells CNBC Make It that it's becoming increasingly difficult to secure employment.

In July, the unemployment rate rose to 4.3%, and the duration of joblessness lengthened as hiring slowed, stoking concerns about a possible economic slowdown.

Despite high interest rates and rising wages, many companies still want to hire, according to Pollak.

Robert Half's operational president, Dawn Fay, observed that many of her clients in New York were concerned about an impending recession and reduced their hiring in the first half of 2024.

She says that her clients are starting to prioritize building out their human resources teams, even in a soft labor market, while other fields such as finance, sales, and professional services are hiring again.

In June, a survey by Robert Half revealed that more than half (52%) of U.S. companies with 20 or more employees plan to hire for new permanent positions in the second half of the year, while another 43% plan to fill vacancies.

"Fay explains that companies have been operating with limited resources for most of the year, resulting in their employees feeling overwhelmed or experiencing burnout. In response, they are now seeking to hire new staff to address crucial business requirements."

Where the 'biggest demand' for talent is

You may want to explore job opportunities in health care or government if you're seeking employment or planning to start your job search.

These industries have experienced the most consistent demand on ZipRecruiter in recent months, according to Pollak, due in part to their ongoing recovery from pandemic-era job losses.

This summer, business and professional services, including jobs such as consultants, accountants, and project managers, have been "leading the charge" on hiring, according to Robert Half.

Fay states that these are the areas with the highest demand for skilled workers.

How to stand out in a competitive job market

For job seekers, Fay recommends having a broad perspective and being receptive to new opportunities.

Also: "Don't underestimate the power of networking."

"Fay explains that networking is a smart strategy for landing a job in any market, as hiring managers value referrals from existing employees who are familiar with the company and can recommend candidates who are a good fit."

"Screening thousands of candidates can save you a lot of time and effort," she adds.

In a more competitive job market, it's crucial to be the first and fastest.

Setting up job alerts, applying to online opportunities, responding to recruiters promptly, and following up with follow-up emails after job interviews are all important steps to take in the job search process.

If you don't act quickly, you could miss out on opportunities.

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