Remote working jobs on the rise in Southeast Asia

In 2020, we saw unprecedented changes in the workforce. Some organizations streamlined their business functions, causing layoffs. Others revamped, and we saw that there was a rising demand for professionals with a diverse skills set. As we started working remotely, we saw a rise in demand for digital and soft skills. We also saw that employers had shifted from hiring based on credentials, and to hiring based on skills held. We saw professionals themselves take note of these trends and seek to reskill or upskill.

But what will 2021 bring? And what kinds of trends can we expect to see? To help workers in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, navigate the workforce in the new year, LinkedIn has identified  the fastest growing job categories since the onset of Covid-19*, the top 15 jobs on the rise in Southeast Asia (including Philippines) and the skills required for them.

Frank Koo, Head of Asia, Talent and Learning Solutions, said: “This list of jobs on the rise demonstrates that there are still opportunities for job seekers with a range of skills and experience. By adopting a lifelong learning mindset, and being open to picking up new skills through various courses — for example, courses on digital skills or soft skills — workers can prepare themselves to take up these emerging roles.”

For the full list of 15 jobs on the rise in Southeast Asia, please refer to this report. For an extract of jobs on the rise in the Philippines, please refer to Annex A.

One common and overarching trend we have noticed among almost all the roles on our list is that most may be conducted remotely.  Globally, remote job opportunities on LinkedIn have increased four times since June. Professionals with digital skill sets will find themselves at an advantage in seeking employment opportunities within these fields.

Other key trends we observe include:

#1: Consumers in Southeast Asia have gone increasingly digital

Covid-19 accelerated the adoption of digital platforms in the region. Technology has allowed people to work, stay connected to their loved ones and fulfill their daily needs like groceries, from the comfort of their own home. In fact, 1 in 3 of digital service consumers in Southeast Asia were new to the service.^[1] And more importantly, 94% of these new digital users are likely to stick with the service moving forward.^[2] As a result, we expect that the demand for workers with tech skills will remain, from specialized engineers, to cyber security talent and data analysts.

Relevant jobs:  Data analyst roles, software and technology roles, cyber security roles, technology and engineering roles

#2 Brands have found new ways to connect with consumers, leading to a rise in demand for digital marketers and content creators

The shift online throughout Southeast Asia has brought about an evolution in how brands communication with their consumers. LinkedIn’s data shows a 48% increase in companies posting on the platform in June 2020, compared to a year earlier.^[3] This has led to growth in demand for digital marketers — professionals who seek to engage consumers effectively online, and digital content creators — those who are able to produce entertaining content across a range of channels.

Relevant roles: Digital content specialist roles, public relations roles, digital marketing specialist roles

#3 E-commerce boomed in 2020, leading to a rise of various sectors
In 2020, while online travel and transport services suffered, e-commerce, online media and food delivery services surged.^[4] The roles created by this boom do not require traditional educational degrees, or advanced technological skills. The rise of e-commerce, for example, is fuelling more demand in logistics for warehouse skilled talent. And it is these roles that may be filled by professionals of varying skills and experience. In fact, globally the majority of people who fill these roles often come from non-emerging jobs.^[5] Relevant roles: E-commerce roles, customer service roles, supply chain roles, business development and sales roles,

#4 Traditional roles have evolved, as a result of Covid-19

In 2020, we saw jobs that were traditionally conducted in-person evolve to be online. For example, we saw a growth in digital lending, education and HealthTech services.^[6] This is unsurprising, as 70% of Southeast Asia is now online. Those in these sectors, and beyond, need to have mastered the basics of technology, from communication tools, to social media platforms and basic office software. With these skills, workers will find that more opportunities will open up for them.
Relevant roles: Healthcare and medical support roles, healthcare and medical frontline roles, education roles, finance and insurance roles

To adapt to the rapidly changing job landscape, professionals will need to proactively pick up new skills required for these emerging roles. LinkedIn has various tools and resources to support professionals including:

• #OpenToWork profile photo frame, which has seen LinkedIn members earn 40% more recruiter InMails and 20% more messages from their communities.
• Free learning paths released last year for in-demand jobs
• Courses on LinkedIn Learning (‘Expert Tips for Answering Common Interview Questions’, ‘How to Rock an Interview’, ‘Resume Makeover’, etc.) to help professionals land a job successfully

* These industries have seen the highest year-on-year growth rates in hiring, based on data between the April to October 2020 timeframe, compared to 2019.

Annex A

Jobs on the rise in the Philippines