Hottest in demand technology skills and industries for 2024

Here are the technology skills heating up industries in 2024 and beyond!

Staying ahead in this rapidly evolving space means keeping up with the most in demand technology skills and industries. Here are the hottest skills right now to help you land your next dream role!

Imagine yourself in a busy kitchen – this is the tech industry. Just like a skilled chef, you need to continuously innovate to create new dishes that leave people craving more. In an ever evolving tech landscape, the delectable trends we cover in this article could be your secret ingredient to elevate your career!

Let us help you whip up the next cutting edge skills and stay ahead of the competition with a few in demand skills to the industries that are craving some tech flavours.

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Skip to:

• Essential skills for success
• In-demand technical skills for 2024
• AI and machine learning
• Cyber security
• Data science
• Cloud computing
• Blockchain
• Tech job seeking advice

Why in demand tech skills spice up your job applications

If you are reading this, you know that tech skills go beyond simple coding and web development. From automation and software engineering to cybersecurity and cloud computing, there are a variety of ways technology continues to drive business growth and transformation.

The biggest benefits for job seekers are for people who have ‘advanced technology skills’. For example, cloud architecture or maintenance, software or application development, artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Regardless of industry, businesses are constantly undergoing digital transformations, creating a growing demand for digital tech skills even in traditional sectors. According to a report by AWS Global Digital Skills, employees who possess advanced tech skills earn an impressive 49% more than those who do not utilize these skills in their current roles. It isn’t just a benefit for people, but for the growth of a business:

“59% of companies that employ advanced digital workers report annual revenue growth of 10% or more, a rate 13 points higher than companies employing intermediate digital workers and 18 points higher than companies that employ basic digital workers.”
AWS Global Digital Skills Report

Essential skills that are critical ingredients for Tech career success

One important thing to remember for both employee and employer is that essential skills including people skills are as important as technical skills in today’s job market.

Let’s go back to the kitchen again! Imagine a chef who is incredibly skilled at cooking but lacks effective communication skills… In this scenario, a talented chef has all the right cooking abilities but fails to clearly convey their expectations to their sous chefs. As a result, the sous chefs may misunderstand the instructions, leading to mistakes and delays in food preparation. The lack of effective communication may also cause miscommunication with suppliers, resulting in incorrect ingredients being delivered or orders being delayed.

Professionals in all fields must look at these essential skills to thrive:

• Communication
• Leadership
• Teamwork
• Problem-solving skills
• Time management
• Flexibility
• Motivation
• Emotional intelligence

Employers know the importance of these powerful skills alongside technical expertise. So, while AI, machine learning, digital marketing, and cyber security are highly sought-after skills, it is equally essential to develop and showcase skills like communication, teamwork, adaptability, and problem-solving abilities. It is vital to recognise and prioritise the development of both to excel in today’s competitive job market.

“People skills have proven to be to be the number 1 skill set for our clients in scale up mode: looking to identify a positive attitude towards learning and candidates that are inquisitive about the product and business they work within. This is especially aligned to explosive growth at the junior and mid-level end that allows businesses to grow and scale their teams at speed.”
Nick Clark, Practice Director in Software & Cloud – Salt UK

If you’re just starting out or making a career change, people skills are as valuable to employers in tech: interest, capability to learn and self-teach, communication and ability to work with feedback. Dom Selvon, CTO of Apply Digital, explains more in this interview.

The technical skills in demand in 2024

Let’s explore some of the in-demand technology skills heating up for 2024. Add these to your CV or development plan and they’ll help you sizzle!

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning – Hot topics in all industries
• Cyber Security – Consistently in demand.
• Data Science – Uncovering hidden insights.
• Cloud Computing – Bringing efficiency and scalability.
• Blockchain – Adding layers of trust and transparency.

Specific skillsets are in-demand in a variety of tech markets, including:

• Java
• Python
• SQL
• JavaScript
• Linux
• AWS
• Agile project management
• C/C++
• Software development
• APIs
• Data analysis
• HTML5
• REST
• DevOps
• Cloud technologies
• Artificial intelligence (AI)
• Machine learning (ML)

With these skills, you have a perfect recipe for success in the tech industry of 2024. Bon appétit!

Most in demand technology industries in 2024

Artificial intelligence and machine learning

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are in the mainstream, and are currently two of the most popular and in-demand tech skills hiring managers and recruiters are looking for today when hiring.

These technologies have revolutionised various industries, including healthcare, finance, and transportation. Companies are increasingly relying on AI and machine learning to automate processes, improve efficiency, and gain valuable insights from large datasets. As a result, professionals with expertise in AI and machine learning are highly sought after.

Additionally, the rapid advancements in AI and machine learning are opening up new possibilities and creating exciting career paths for individuals interested in this field.

• The number of professionals on LinkedIn who have the skills in artificial intelligence (AI) has grown by 68% this year.
• The top locations for these skills are USA, India and the UK.
• Alongside AI and machine learning, professionals also have skills in Python (47%), software development (29%) and SQL (29%).

“When speaking to clients over the last few months, it has been clear there is a vast need and skill gap in many businesses around AI and Machine learning. Companies want to introduce and adopt more AI but need to source leaders who can take them through this evolution.”
Louis Johnson, Practice Director in Software & Data Engineering – Salt UK

Popular job titles for AI talent

• Machine Learning Engineer
• Data Scientist
• AI Research Scientist
• Computer Vision Engineer
• AI Product Manager
• Robotics Engineer
• AI Solutions Architect
• AI Consultant

Your LinkedIn profile is another opportunity to tell your unique story – without a word limit!  Here are our 9 top tips on how to get your LinkedIn profile noticed

Cyber Security

Cyber security is an essential skill for businesses to have in-house. It safeguards internal systems, networks, and programs from cyberattacks, which aim to compromise users’ personal data or program functionality through hacking or unauthorized access. Qualified candidates possess extensive expertise in data encryption, malware prevention, and implementing security measures and protocols.

As well as IT and Tech industries Cyber security as a skillset is in demand across industries including Higher Education and Telecommunications. In the past year the industries showing the highest one year growth globally are E-learning, Renewables and Environment and Restaurants.

• The number of professionals on LinkedIn who have the skills ‘CyberSecurity’ has grown by 39% this year
• The top locations for these skills are USA, UK and France
• Alongside Cybersecurity as a vast and varying professions, the top specific skills in the areas include Network Security (30%) Information Security (26%) and Linux (24%).

“Cyber security is growing. Earlier this year Gartner reported that by 2026 70% of boards will include one member with cybersecurity expertise. Its essential for candidates in this industry to ensure they’re fully prepared to not only be a technology expert, but also develop communication and people skills. Cyber Security is no longer an ‘IT issue’ – it is far more of a business issue which can affect every aspect of an organization.”
Michaela Killick, Head of Cyber Security Recruitment – Salt USA

Popular job titles for Cyber Security talent

• Cyber Security Analyst
• Cyber Security Engineer
• Malware Analyst
• Security Architect
• Information Security Manager
• Incident Responder
• Cyber Security Consultant
• Cryptographer
• Network security engineer
• Compliance manager

Search for cyber security jobs in
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Data Science

Data Science is an essential skill for employers. It involves the analysis and interpretation of large sets of data to extract valuable insights and make informed decisions. Qualified candidates possess extensive expertise in statistical analysis, machine learning algorithms, and data visualisation techniques.

The field offers numerous opportunities for career growth and advancement, making it an attractive choice for individuals looking to enter or excel in the world of analytics and data-driven insights with growth in Education, Public Sector and Retail.

• The number of professionals on LinkedIn who have the skills ‘Data Science’ has grown by 54% this year.
• The top locations for these skills are USA, UK and India.
• The top skills Data Science skilled professionals posses as well include Python (72%), Data Analysis (57%) and Machine Learning (55%).

“The value Data Science brings to a business can be priceless: from allowing for data-driven decision-making and predictive analytics, to identifying opportunities like personalisation based on customer insights. This skillset gives businesses a competitive advantage.”
Louis Johnson, Practice Director in Software & Data Engineering – Salt UK

Popular job titles for Data Science talent

• Data Scientist
• Data Analyst
• Data Engineer
• Machine Learning Engineer
• Research Assistant
• Data Science Manager
• Data Specialist

Check out our open data roles!

Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is a hot trend in the tech industry, and acquiring skills in this area is highly beneficial for tech professionals. It not only opens up a wide range of career opportunities but also enables professionals to drive innovation, contribute to digital transformation, and ensure long-term job stability in an increasingly cloud-centric world.

Industries that have been advancing their cloud computing and infrastructure skills include the military, e-learning, aviation and banking.

• The number of professionals on LinkedIn who have the skills ‘Cloud Computing’ has grown by 14% this year.
• The top locations for these skills are USA, and UK with Canada indicated as an hidden gem.
• The top skills Data Science skilled professionals posses as well include Software Development (34%), SQL (27%), and Linux (22%).

“The Cloud market, more so than any other, comes with a high volume of technologies that essentially do the same thing. When looking to plan your career or next career move think less about your experience with specific technologies and more about your attitude to learn comparable technologies that you have worked with already. Whether it be containerization, container orchestration, IaaC or Cloud platforms, don’t limit yourself in applying to companies just because you haven’t specifically used the technology that they use – if you understand the underlying principals a strong attitude to learn will quickly close the knowledge gap.”
Nick Clark, Practice Director in Software & Cloud – Salt UK

Popular job titles for Cloud Computing talent

• Cloud Engineer
• Software Engineer
• Solutions Architect
• Chief Technology Officer
• Cloud Architect
• Dev Ops Engineer
• System Engineer

Looking for your next role? We have lots of opportunities in Cloud Infrastructure, Cloud computing and DevOps

Blockchain

Blockchain technology has evolved dramatically over the years since its first association with cryptocurrencies. It’s fast becoming one of the top skills to learn. Blockchain technology has come a long way from its association with cryptocurrencies. It has evolved into a transformative force that has the potential to disrupt traditional systems and empower individuals and businesses alike.

As well as IT and Tech industries Blockchain is showing demand in industries including Financial and Banking Services, Higher Education and Management Consulting, all with an above 30% increase of professionals working in these industries.

• The number of professionals on LinkedIn who have the skills ‘Blockchain’ has grown by 35% this year.
• The top locations for these skills are UK, USA, India and Singapore .
• The top skills professionals who cite Blockchain as a skill include Python (30%), Javascript (29%) and Software Development (28%)

Popular job titles for Blockchain talent

• Blockchain developer
• Software Engineer
• Blockchain project manager
• Full Stack Engineer
• Blockchain solution architect
• Blockchain UX designer 

Time for dessert? How to sweeten your tech skills during a job search.

Having the skills, technical or personal, is a great start, but it’s all about how you showcase these skills to support your application and stand out from the crowd. Here are some of the ways we’d recommend you demonstrate your unique skills both on your CV but also on your online profile such as LinkedIn to help companies and recruiters find you.

1) Highlight your tech skills on your CV and LinkedIn Profile

Before you start, we suggest reading our ultimate guide to writing a CV in 2023 to help you with creating a CV that will grab the attention of the hiring manager and recruiter. 

The next important step is to carefully analyse job descriptions to help identify which key skills employers are looking for in the winning candidate. That way you can prioritise these skills on your CV before submitting your application. 

2) Create a professional summary of your tech skills

Emphasising relevant tech skills in a short but detailed professional summary section is a great way to capture the hiring manager or recruiter’s attention.

You can provide specific examples of projects or accomplishments that demonstrate your proficiency in these skills. Additionally, you can highlight any certifications or training programs you have completed to further showcase your expertise.

3) Include a key skills section

We highly recommend including a key skills section for the hiring manager or recruiter as it offers a way to showcase your in-demand tech skills. For example, including “Java programming”, “Database management”, or “SQL”, along with including a few soft skills such as “teamwork” and “leadership”. 

4) Write a great cover letter

A cover letter is the perfect way to stand out from the crowd and convince the recruiter or hiring manager to invite you for an interview. 

If you’d like to find out more about what to include and the best format to use, you can read our handy guide on Writing A Great Cover Letter In 2023 as we reveal a few insider tips to help you write a great cover letter to land your dream role. 

5) Create a online portfolio to showcase your work 

It’s no secret that potential employers will often look at candidates’ online profiles before making their final decision, so you need something that will set you apart from the rest. 

Our Ultimate Guide On How To Make An Online Portfolio is filled with top 10 tips that can help you kick-start the process of breathing life into your work. 

Looking for more handy tips to add to support your tech job search? 

• How to make a career change 
• Ultimate Job Search Checklist: How To Find Your Dream Job
• 9 Top Tips To Get Your LinkedIn Profile Noticed 
• How to write a great cover letter in 2023? 6 simple tips to help you get noticed