Despite fears of a looming recession, global economic pressures, and worries over recent layoffs in many tech firms over the spring and summer, the jobs picture across Europe is still broadly good.

Particularly so in tech where many areas within the IT industry are thought to be (so far) fairly recession-proof, notably across industries like AI, cybersecurity , and cloud services.

In fact, the tech scene is currently experiencing levels of growth we haven’t seen since the early days of the dot.com bubble, with global IT expenditure expected to hit $4.5 trillion by early 2023 — a 5.1% increase, according to a report from Gartner.

It’s a good time for job switchers too as a recent global survey of tech workers found that those changing jobs can increase their salaries by up to 12% as well. So, whether you’re already working within the cybersecurity sector or are a professional looking to break into UX , focusing on the below areas will help you stay ahead of the crowd next year.

As more of our financial life moves from in-person to virtual, the need for cybersecurity is greater than ever. Research from the European Central Bank shows that 74% of internet users have bought something online in the past three months — and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

From online banking to shopping and the continued rise in cryptocurrency, demand for IT specialists with knowledge of cybersecurity is growing. This is driven by the fact that security is the biggest pain point for companies worldwide, with demand for experts in that sector set to rise rapidly.

For those looking to move into cybersecurity, upskilling in areas such as data encryption, risk mitigation and firewalls are key, while a familiarity with software security will put you ahead of the rest.

In terms of opportunity, there are dozens of cybersecurity roles currently available on The House of Talent Job Board , ranging from fully remote jobs, such as this Cyber Security Analyst role with Bankers Healthcare Group , to the also remote Cyber Security Architect job with American Express. Both of these roles require an understanding of current information security threats, including DDoS, botnets, and advanced malware.

UX designers are used to asking themselves questions such as “What takes a website from good to great”. The level of user experience or user interface, especially in a post-Covid world where more people are used to doing everyday tasks virtually, has ramped up. Now, users automatically expect the digital services they use to be as good as services they receive in person.

Recent global research from Gartner shows that 65% of customers believe the companies they do business with online need to improve their virtual customer service, while 75% of customers expect to receive a personalized experience.

As such, the demand for UI and UX designers is growing exponentially as companies struggle to keep up. For those working in design elsewhere and keen to take advantage of the demand, skills to brush up on include information architecture, wireframing, virtual design and user research and testing. Becoming familiar with libraries such as Angular Material and DevXtreme is essential.

There are currently over 100 open UX roles on The House of Talent Job Board , ranging from the fully remote Consumer Design Director role with PayPal to the more entry level but also remote Frontend Software Engineer role with Objektkultur Software.

Referring to all platforms that enable companies to better market their products, martech covers everything from SEO research to automation and email marketing. And the opportunity within that space is huge.

Skills to focus on include ecommerce principles and leading platforms such as Shopify and HubSpot, as well as social media best practice across marketing and optimization. Gaining familiarity with, and a working knowledge of areas such as copywriting, display ads, and email marketing will also give those looking to move into the sector a head start.

Currently, there are dozens of jobs across the martech space on The House of Talent Job Board –- including an eCommerce Product Manager role with Apple and an Email Marketing Automation Consultant role with LevelUp Group. Both of these roles require candidates who have the ability to recognize digital trends before they capture the attention of the general public, as well as a genuine interest in consumer behavior.

Explore all available opportunities on The House of Talent Job Board to find your next move

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