Careers Weekly: The Most In-Demand Jobs, New Must-Reads For The New Year And Sticking To Your Resolutions

Here is this week’s Careers newsletter, which brings the latest news, commentary and ideas about the workplace, leadership and the future of work straight to your inbox every Tuesday. Click here to get on the newsletter list!

If a new job is among your New Year’s resolutions, you’re not alone: Some 41% of employees plan to look for a new job in the first half of 2022, according to a recent survey by the firm Robert Half, up from 32% six months ago..

It may not be 2021, when the biggest career story was that job vacancies were through the roof. But it’s still a hot job market and workers in many industries have plenty of leverage. 

As we chronicled last week, the most in-demand jobs for 2021 were really a tale of two trends: Jobs that were decimated in 2020 came roaring back, while jobs such as warehouse logistics workers, which saw triple-digit increases in postings, grew as the pandemic upended consumption habits.

Some surprising results from the analysis, which was run exclusively for Forbes by ManpowerGroup: Event planners, recruiters and truck drivers were among the jobs that saw the biggest increase in postings in 2021. Some of this growth is likely to continue, such as the 107% uptick in demand for finance, data and business analysts, says Manpower’s vice president of market intelligence, Raleen Gagnon. 

Amid the pandemic, “there’s no easy way to compare and project where you’re going, as there’s a lot of unknowns still,” Gagnon told Forbes. “Companies are doubling down on those analyst jobs. There’s so many new variables not accounted for in their new models. … Those roles will continue to be hot.” Also in demand—if less surprising: Nurses, who are burning out from the continued demands of caring for patients suffering from Covid-19, particularly those who haven’t been vaccinated.

For professionals who look at our list from Manpower and see hourly positions, fear not: Technology and white-collar hiring tends to be stronger in the first two quarters of the year, says Gagnon, so it’s a great time to get started on your search. Happy hunting—and happy new year!

FEATURED STORY

The Biggest Career Crashes Of 2021

2021 was known as the year of the “Great Resignation,” but some departures were more notable than others. Firing employees on Zoom and impersonating a customer to impress potential investors were the sparks behind some of this year’s most notable career flame-outs. Others are hanging on, but suffered reputational damage that they’re now trying to repair. From the Cuomo brothers to Better.com CEO Vishal Garg, read more here about last year’s biggest career crashes.

WORK FROM HOME

Forbes contributors about working remotely—and working smarter

The remote workplace helps introverts shine. Here’s how to make sure it works for you.

Goldman Sachs, Citi and JPMorgan Chase are the latest companies pushing back their return to office plans.

The stacked squares on Zoom calls may seem equal, but new research explores how leaders still visualize status on remote video calls. 

EMBRACE THE FUTURE

Forbes contributors on starting the New Year off on the right foot

Why the “why” behind your New Year’s resolutions is so important to achieving them.

What behavioral science tells us about sticking to our New Year’s resolutions.

Here’s how to break up with your toxic boss in 2022. 

LEARN TO LEAD 

Forbes contributors on managing, leading and mentoring others

What business executives can learn about leadership from former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who died last week.

Turn conflict into constructive dialogue with these leadership tools. 

Here are 10 leadership ideas that will help you lead smarter in 2022.

BOOK CLUB

The latest reads on work, leadership and careers

Have a New Year’s resolution to make your next career move, and need a guide for getting it done? Want to be a smarter leader or better advocate, or more wisely manage your time? We’ve scanned the publishers’ 2022 catalogs for the career and leadership books that look poised to be the most helpful, compelling—or, at least in one instance, the most fun. 

Key quote: With 10 books on our list, it’s hard to pick a favorite. But we’re most intrigued by Dan Pink’s new book, The Power of Regret, and his thesis that the concept of having “no regrets” is nonsense, and we should use this “indispensable emotion” to make better decisions, improve performance and find greater meaning.