5 Job Trends to Look Out for in 2017 Glassdoor makes its predictions about the year ahead.
By Nina Zipkin
There is always a level of uncertainty when it comes to looking for a new gig, but having the information you need to make the right decision is key.
To that end, Dr. Andrew Chamberlain, job-hunting platform Glassdoor's chief economist, recently released a report detailing his predictions for the factors that will shape hiring practices and the job market in 2017. Read on for the five trends that emerged from his research.
1. Data science will find its way into human resources.
Many companies have hired data scientists to better streamline the way they approach things such as marketing and logistics, but in the year ahead, Chamberlain expects that more HR departments will take that tack when they are dealing with employee engagement, from utilizing A/B testing to tracking their feelings.
Related: Why You Need to Embrace the Big Data Trend in HR
2. Automation will be everywhere.
While technology won't make jobs disappear entirely, multiple industries including retail, finance, transportation and, of course, manufacturing will see automation augment existing roles. To offset these changes, Chamberlain recommends professional development -- on both a personal and a company level -- focusing on building skills that will be complementary and separate from the machines that will become an integral part of the work.
3. Say farewell to ostentatious office perks.
In critiquing the startup world, there is often the concern that companies that provide cushy perks -- ping pong tables and video games, catered lunches, on-site spa treatments -- are more style than substance. In the year ahead, Chamberlain sees those kinds of bonuses beginning to recede from view in lieu of more of an emphasis on things such as paid leave and comprehensive healthcare packages.
Related: The Work Perk That Matters More Than Free Food, Gym Equipment or an Open-Office Plan
4. There'll be efforts to close the gender pay gap.
In 2017, Chamberlain predicts that companies will be more transparent about what they pay their employees, and armed with that knowledge, there will be an uptick in businesses working to ameliorate wage inequality. In a Glassdoor survey earlier this year, 67 percent of American employees said that they were not likely to apply for a position at a company known to pay men and women differently for the same work.
5. The idea of the "gig" economy will be reshaped.
In the coming year, Chamberlain writes that while Airbnb and Uber are widely known, the reality of the gig economy is that it likely won't expand beyond the current task-oriented phase it is in now. However, the ethos of the gig economy, especially with regard to flexibility in making your own hours and working from anywhere, will become more prevalent in more established fields.
