New year, new predictions. How to capitalise on these workplace trends.

As January comes around each year, we are encouraged to reflect on what has happened over the last 12 months and look forward to what lies ahead for us and the world we live in.

From new technologies to ever-changing ways of presenting your experience in a CV, the world of job seeking is constantly evolving. Here are my five predictions for what industry professionals and job seekers alike should be looking out for.

Professionals will look to 'recession-proof' their careers

The banks warn that a no-deal Brexit could send the British economy into recession in the not-so-distant future. You can expect organisations to tighten their purse strings over the course of 2019, while many professionals may decide to remain with their current employer rather than brave the job market – and risk being among their new company's first wave of redundancies.

The recruitment process will rely on robotics more than ever

More and more employers are leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance their recruitment efforts – and with good reason. When used appropriately, AI-powered recruitment tools can help to reduce or eliminate bias, improve the candidate experience, decrease time to hire and lower future turnover. However, the increased use of AI to quickly scan and evaluate candidates' online applications will require professionals to become incredibly strategic when engineering their CVs. Keyword optimisation and CV format and design choices will play a key role in determining whether your CV gets binned or makes it through this digital gatekeeper.

The gig economy will continue to grow

According to the latest report from the Office of National Statistics, more than 15 per cent of the UK's labour force is classed as self-employed. This trend will only gain momentum in the coming year. Expect to see more organisations experimenting with flexible recruitment strategies to find interim professionals to act as specialists for a particular project or initiative. Professionals who are interested in pursuing this type of career will be wise to revise their CVs to clearly demonstrate their specialised, technical knowledge, communicate their interest in flexible work assignments and emphasise their ability to work remotely.

AI will require the UK talent market to 'digitise' its skills

PwC has reported that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will create more jobs than it displaces; however, these new jobs will demand a much different skill set from the workers who will be displaced. The report has estimated that 7 million UK jobs in sectors such as transport and manufacturing could be displaced by AI between 2017 and 2037, while it has predicted a net increase of 200,000 jobs in sectors that require highly specialized skills such as scientific and technical services and health. Many UK professionals will need to digitise their skill set and potentially change careers altogether to remain relevant in the labour force.

CV writing rules will continue to change

UK job seekers would do well to take a cue from their American cousins in the new year when it comes to job applications. Thanks to the introduction of new data-protection regulations, the replacement of previous anti-discrimination laws with the Equality Act and the increased use of robotics during the recruitment process, many of the 'CV rules' professionals have followed for years will be thrown out in favour of a more streamlined document which resembles that of a traditional American resume. Take this CV quiz to find out if you would pass muster with today's HR managers.

Editor's note: This article was originally published in Employer News.

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