The job market remains in motion

At the end of last year, employers and experts were a little more confident and saw light at the end of the tunnel, including for this year's employment prospects. Various geopolitical conflicts, announcements of job cuts, and rising unemployment figures dashed this hint of confidence again in the first quarter.

But how are these developments affecting the demand for skilled workers? The analysis of 9,301 job advertisements paints a mixed picture: in some work areas, the share of job offers has fallen. In others, where one might expect a decline, it has risen instead. Employers continue to seek many skilled workers in the commercial-technical field and in metalworking professions. Engineering and IT professions, too, have passed through last year's trough. And those keen on leadership will find doors opening: employers are finding it increasingly difficult to fill vacant management positions. The sample contains a higher proportion of management positions than ever before since data collection began in 2008.

Hardly any topic is debated as hotly as the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on professions and employment. The analysis shows: AI may be on everyone's lips, but it still rarely appears in requirement profiles.