Decline in Fully Remote Jobs Puts Pressure on Mid-Market Hiring Strategies

One of the biggest challenges for Mid-market enterprises (MMEs), or businesses that have between 500-1,000 employees, is managing the growing hybrid workforce.  

LinkedIn’s 2024 Mid-Market Enterprise Economy Report reveals that hybrid roles make up 13% of all job postings — whereas fully remote jobs have declined significantly by 40% year-over-year in MMEs. Despite this decline, remote work remains highly sought after, attracting 43% of all job applications, hinting at potential hiring difficulties and skill gaps. 

“[S]o moving to more hybrid or fully on-site roles may impact hiring funnels and make finding particular skill sets more difficult,” according to LinkedIn’s Economic Graph Team.  

The report also points out changes related to job skills, driven by technological advancements like Generative AI. Since 2015, a quarter of the skills listed in average job postings on LinkedIn have changed, and this pace is expected to continue, according to the researchers.  

Workers are responding to these work trends by building on their skill sets. The report found that on average, workers have added six new skills in the past year — focusing on skills in communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. This trend highlights the importance of continuous learning and formalizing skill development as workers at MMEs strive to stay competitive in the labor market. 

Generative AI is a large focus of upskilling efforts. The report cites its potential to influence a quarter of the skills needed for 84% of LinkedIn members. This technology is particularly impactful in industries such as Accommodation and Food Services, Technology and Media, and Education. MMEs, many of which are professional services firms, are integrating AI into their workflows. According to the data, the rise of roles like “Head of AI” has tripled over the past five years, which shows the new importance MMEs are placing on AI in future operations. 

The report notes that MMEs have a unique advantage — they’re big enough to benefit from saving money with larger operations, but they still need to stay flexible to compete with smaller startups in their sectors. It’s reported that these companies offer the best chances for employees to move up or switch roles internally, helping them grow in their careers. Focusing on important human skills like communication and collaboration will be key to staying competitive in the future of work, especially as hybrid work environments and AI continue to change the workplace.