If you’re looking for a job, you’re likely to be struggling. Many people are reporting that despite applying for tons of positions, sending plenty of resumes and networking consistently—they aren’t landing interviews, and they are regularly ghosted by potential employers. It’s harder than ever to find a job.

And this is occurring at the same time that organizations are saying they can’t seem to recruit great candidates. It probably feels like a hall of mirrors.

Amid the discouragement and frustration, you need to know where to find the jobs, who’s actually hiring and how to set yourself apart. New data provides insight on where the opportunities are, so you can reach your goal to land your next role.

Where to Find a Job and How Set Yourself Apart

A new report from Agile HRO citing data from SHRM’s 2024 Talent Trends survey includes some terrific insights if you want to find a job. Here’s where the hiring is happening and where to look.

1. Jobs That Are Hard to Fill

One of the first places to look, is at jobs that companies struggle most to fill. Many of these are based on the trends driving the future of work—and they will be the doors that are likely to be open.

These are the positions that take the greatest effort for employers. The percentages indicate the proportion of organizations saying the roles are difficult to fill.

• Skilled medical, nurses, doctors, specialists – 89%
• Skilled trades, electricians, carpenters, machinists, mechanics – 85%
• Engineering and architecture – 83%
• Skilled technicians such as health, telecom, environmental technicians – 81%
• Construction and extraction such as mining – 79%
• Community and social service workers such as counselors and therapists – 78%
• Protective service workers such as firefighters, law enforcements, security guards – 76%

Go after these roles if you have the skills and they interest you. And even if you’re not qualitied for these positions, you can consider adjacent work.

For example, if organizations are reporting they have trouble finding counselors or therapists, they may also be seeking coaches, guidance professionals or office managers. Or if a company is having difficulty filling jobs in engineering, they may also be looking for people do work in the areas of design, CAD, quality or sales.

It’s also worth exploring whether these in-demand roles offer on-the-job training or the opportunity to take the job and gain a competencies while you’re employed. Companies hire for current skills, but also for the desire to learn and the future potential to contribute—so you can set yourself apart by offering to learn and grow into the role.

Bottom line: Go where the jobs are, look in adjacent roles and offer to learn while you’re employed.

2. Jobs That Require Credentials or Certifications

Another surefire way to find a job is to highlight your credentials, obtain certifications or boost your education—because organizations are struggling here as well. In fact, 19% of employers say they can’t find people with adequate credentials or certifications.

The industries that struggle most are,

• Healthcare and social assistance – 31%
• Government and education – 26%

Plenty of jobs require certifications—from paralegals or insurance professionals to architectural support, counseling, development or coding roles.

Bottom line: Explore roles that require certifications or credentials—then go where your credentials shine or obtain certifications that will set you apart.

3. Jobs That Require Technical Skills

Similar to the challenge of credentials and certifications, companies also seek those with technical skills.

Overall, 37% of employers say that candidates lack the necessary technical skills. And the industries that report the greatest difficulties include,

• Manufacturing – 53%
• Professional, scientific, technical services – 49%
• Construction, utilities, agriculture and mining – 47%

Technical skills can include many different capabilities. Examples include programming, project management, technical writing, graphics, accounting, AI, data analytics and even cybersecurity.

Bottom line: Investigate roles that require some technical skills, and if they interest you, highlight the skills you have, build your competencies or offer to learn while you work. Be the candidate who offers the skills employers can’t find in others.

4. Employers That Seek Responsiveness

Another strategy to find a job is to do what other job candidates aren’t. This point is less about the roles themselves and more about your approach. Employers are seeking people who are responsive—and they’re not finding them as much as they’d like.

In fact, significant numbers of hiring professionals report they are ghosted by candidates, so when you stay in touch and demonstrate effective communication, you will stand out.

Overall, 46% of companies say they are ghosted by candidates—and certain industries faced more ghosting than others. These include,

• Healthcare and social assistance – 60%
• Wholesale and retail trade, transport and warehousing – 60%
• Manufacturing – 56%

Bottom line: Be proactive, perseverant and present for companies. Go where others aren’t responsive and you’ll get ahead of the pack.

Find a Job You’ll Love

While the job search can be disconcerting and disheartening, you can make it through to a wonderful new role.

Be intentional and stick with it—as you explore jobs in the places with the most opportunities, from hard-to-fill roles to those that require credentials, certifications and technical skills. And be impeccable with your responsiveness and communication.

All these will certainly come together so you find a job and so you can look toward a bright future.