In an age where dozens of industries are being reshaped with fewer employment opportunities, an economy that is slowing down (contrary to what the Bureau of Labor Statistics is telling people) landing a job in certain industries has become more difficult than ever before. With industries like manufacturing and mining expected to decrease their employment by more than 25% by 2031 in the United States, individuals entering or re-entering the workforce must make an informed decision when choosing an employment sector.
From the reasons they are contracting to more promising alternatives, read on as we cover eight of the fastest-contracting employment sectors in 2024 that require an expert-written resume to land a job in!
1: Tobacco Manufacturing
Currently employing 10,700 people in the United States alone, the tobacco manufacturing company is expected to see a drastic decrease in its workforce by 53.3% before 2031. Primarily caused by the decline in tobacco use across the world, many tobacco manufacturing plants are closing their doors, leaving many employees without a job. Similarly, with the advance of factory technology, much of the required labor can be performed by machinery, further pushing humans out of the sector.
2: Legal Secretary
Like many industries, the legal industry is quickly laying off secretaries following the increased automation of administrative tasks and the world being overtaken by Artificial Intelligence (AI). While this position is primarily occupied by workers nearing retirement age, very few legal secretary positions are being refilled following the retirement of current employees. With an expected employment decrease of 21.8% by 2032, becoming a legal secretary is no longer a stable career choice.
3: Hand Cutting and Trimming
As with many construction-related jobs, hand cutters and trimmers are quickly decreasing in demand, with data suggesting that we could see 28.5% fewer hand cutters and trimmers by 2032. Much like administrative work, trimming of various materials has become an easily automated task, allowing many employers to operate machinery without the need to pay for human labor. As such, it is worth considering other construction careers for a better chance of avoiding layoffs.
4: Payroll
Payroll and timekeeping, a sector that once employed hundreds of thousands of people could soon see a significant decrease in employment. With 74% of payroll clerks being over 40 years old, many are approaching the end of their careers, which is expected to reduce the number of payroll-related positions, as these retiring employees will not be replaced. Like many other sectors, the decrease in available payroll opportunities comes as a result of increased automation of many tasks that were once performed by humans.
5: Mining
Although a large sector, the number of people employed in the mining sector is rapidly diminishing. From roof bolters to loading and moving machine operators, many jobs are being eliminated from the mining industry, with an expected decrease of 28.5% of roof bolters and 17.7% of loading and moving machine operators by 2032.
However, unlike other sectors that are deliberately reducing their workforce, the mining sector is facing a significant staff shortage, with a lack of qualified workers with the skills required. And the prevalence of outsourcing to other countries to save on cost. This creates a growing opportunity for young people looking to enter the industry and fill in-demand positions.
6: Telemarketing
A profession that was once in high demand, telemarketers, is among the many careers becoming outdated and out-of-demand. With a projected -20.6% employment growth by 2032, an estimated 20,100 telemarketing jobs will be lost in less than a decade. Besides no longer being the most effective marketing strategy, telemarketing is becoming increasingly difficult due to the introduction of the National Do Not Call Registry, which prohibits telemarketers from calling thousands of numbers in the United States.
Similarly, with Caller ID technology now being widespread, fewer telemarketing calls are being picked up, causing a significant drop in telemarketing jobs within the country.
7: Engine & Machine Assembly
Primarily attributed to the advance in automation technology, the engine and machine assembly sector is expecting to see an 18.9% decrease in employment by 2032. In addition to using further advanced technology to replace humans, the sector is also among many others that outsource a majority of its work to foreign countries with cheaper worker wages, allowing the company to be more profitable. This leaves significantly fewer work opportunities for Americans looking to enter the engine and machine assembly industry.
8: Logging
While the need for logging workers will always be there, recent years have seen a significant decrease in demand for workers in this sector. Like many other sectors on our list, logging is expected to lose a significant portion of its workforce, with a projected 13% decrease in employment across the sector by 2032. This change is believed to be the result of environmental concerns and new environmental legislation put in place by the government. In fact, with over 50 mill closures reported over a 15-month period in the United States alone, it is clear that the logging industry is seeing a concerning trend for employers in this sector.
Stay Competitive with an Updated Resume
As various forces including artificial intelligence and changing consumer demands cause the closure of many job vacancies, staying competitive in your job search is more important than ever. With an average of 118 people applying to a particular job listing, standing out from the crowd is the only way to land a job in 2024.
So, if you are looking to enter the workforce or change careers this year, try our free resume review service in Colorado to see how your resume ranks among other job seekers in your sector, or contact us to see what else we can do for you today!
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