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With employees setting back into work after the festive period, the new year is a prime opportunity for staff to consider their career options for 2018.

Understanding which employers are recruiting and where the opportunities lie is essential for any jobseeker.

In 2018 nearly three-quarters of Irish employers are planning on recruiting staff, 75pc of whom say that they expect finding candidates with the right skills to be the most challenging aspect of the hiring process, according to a survey of almost 1,700 employers and employees by recruitment firm Hays Ireland.

The survey also found that most employees – 58pc – are dissatisfied with their current salaries, and just over one in two say that they expect to move jobs within the next 12 months.

As part of its research, Hays has revealed the top roles that employers are looking for in 2018, based on jobs with high market demand.

In a sign that the economy is booming again, topping the list of roles that employers are looking for are jobs in the building sector, with quantity surveyors, building services engineers, and architectural technicians making-up the top three.

Newly qualified accountants are set to be the fourth most sought after employees in 2018, while medical devices research and developers/design engineers complete the top five.

“It’s clear from looking at our top ten that professionals working within the digital technology, finance and construction industries can expect a good 2018 in terms of salaries and job opportunities,” Maureen Lynch, director at Hays Ireland, said.

“We’re seeing continued investment in these areas across Ireland. High on employers’ wish-lists are candidates with experience in these areas, a willingness to work hard, and the ability get some great results.”

The remaining positions in the top ten roles that employers are looking for in 2018 comprise of microbiologists, multi-lingual specialists, java developers, data analysts, and risk analysts.

According to Hays, these roles are commanding significant salary increases because of a shortage of suitably qualified and experienced candidates in these areas.

“2018 should see a steady growth in job creation and salaries across multiple sectors. Salary increases are particularly apparent in technology, engineering, pharma, and banking and finance and we would expect this trend to continue over the coming 12 months,” Ms Lynch said.

Speaking to Independent.ie Ms Lynch went on to say that many of the country’s more progressive employers are looking to differentiate themselves from the competition through more creative means in response to the growing competition for in-demand skills.

“This includes investing in professional development opportunities, and taking a more holistic approach to creating flexible workplace environments more conducive to long term employee productivity and job satisfaction.”

On the matter of Brexit and the Irish employment market, Ms Lynch told Independent.ie that there was still not a clear understanding on its long-term impact on the employment market or on local salaries.

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