7 Predictions for Tech Careers in 2023

1. Quiet hiring and a boom in the gig economy

As we go into 2023 everybody is still a bit cautious. Many companies are waiting to see how things will shape up. While hiring is on hold, businesses still need top talent to complete their projects and meet KPIs. That’s where independent contractors and freelancers can play a major role. The gig economy is poised for growth this year, Big Tech in particular, where many workers have been let go. Inflation is another factor stimulating the gig market in the U.S. Everybody is trying to make extra money, which is why the number of white-collar professionals looking for side projects tripled in 2022.

2. No return to the office — for top professionals

Although no one is in a rush to stop working remotely, hybrid work is gaining popularity. Eventually, some employees will have to return to the office, whether they want to or not. But top level professionals won’t have to abandon their dream life on the beach. They still have much leverage while negotiating with potential employers. After all, companies will need their skills and talents to successfully navigate through the challenges that the global economy will face in 2023.

3. Hiring and networking will increase globally

Companies now have more tools to work with international employees. Last year, global hiring increased 145% according to research from Deel and this will continue to grow in 2023. Australian, Canadian, and U.S. companies are interested in hiring people from the Philippines, while German, Brazilian, and Hong Kong-based organizations want to recruit from the U.S. This means networking should also be increasingly global as it’s already been for MBA graduates at top business schools.

4. Referrals will drive the job market and tech careers

Hiring a temporary contractor or a remote worker for a project that requires a lot of experience and expertise is not for the faint-hearted. For such gigs, executives and HRs are looking for referrals from within their close network. In fact, 70-80% of job openings never even get published. An estimated 80% of jobs are landed through personal networking. Considering that the gig economy is set for further growth in 2023, the need for referrals will pick up, too. Once again, who you know will define where you end up. A personal referral is the best way to establish trust and offer collaboration to a stranger. This is where networking, once again, is taking center stage.

5. Companies struggle to replace workers who left

At the end of 2022, the U.S. job market posted a near-historic low for layoffs. According to the Labor Department’s recent data, even when factoring in staff cuts across Big Tech, less than 1% of the workforce was let go in November. Companies were barely able to replace workers leaving — including voluntarily and involuntarily terminations. The market is a bit chaotic: finding what you need, both for employers and highly qualified professionals, is something akin to “mission impossible”. Networking is the fastest, cost-efficient way to hire workers, and AI tools could help businesses to save time and money.

6. AI-powered solutions will gain momentum

LinkedIn, which many have been using as a primary networking tool, is no longer sufficient for top experts, Gen Zs and tech professionals. They value their time and are looking for solutions that can help avoid meaningless connections and irrelevant cold pitches. AI solutions can help by matching business requests with the right people: no need for unexpected messages and countless follow-ups. Also, not every professional knows how to properly sell themselves, sometimes feeling awkward and dejected when they compare themselves to the profiles of their more eloquent counterparts. AI could possibly help such people create a bio that’s based on publicly available information and data on the Internet.

7. Most professional connections will be made online

The world has returned to in-person conferences and events, and now we finally can meet in person. Still, if you attended events in 2022 you probably noticed that some speakers still join remotely, and many people attend virtual sessions. Almost 70% of event organizers said hybrid will be their go-to format for future events. Most professionals who meet at a conference can later connect on Zoom or use networking apps to keep the conversation going. With more events hosted in the metaverse, we’re excited to see what it will have to offer in 2023.