Jobs on the Rise According to LinkedIn in 2026

Jan 19, 2026

Explore the changing job landscape projected for 2026, driven by real data insights. Discover the booming AI sector and emerging roles like AI engineers and data annotators, crucial for training models. Learn about the surge in self-employment as more individuals embrace entrepreneurship and autonomy. The podcast emphasizes the rising demand for human-centric jobs, highlighting roles that value empathy and connection. Plus, get a practical three-step framework to navigate your career path in this evolving market.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

Preparedness Gap In The Job Market

76% of professionals feel unprepared for a job hunt despite over half planning one this year.
LinkedIn's data-driven list reveals where actual opportunities are growing, not guesswork.

INSIGHT

AI Roles Dominate Growth

AI roles like AI engineer, AI consultant, and AI/ML researcher are among the fastest-growing jobs.
Data annotators are essential humans who label data so models can learn accurate patterns.

INSIGHT

Gender Imbalance In AI Jobs

Top AI job titles show a stark gender imbalance with AI consultants 82% male and AI engineers 77% male.
This highlights demographic gaps within booming tech fields that influence hiring and culture.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

EP 3118 The 2026 job market isn't just a mystery—it's a roadmap of real-world data showing where the money and opportunities are shifting. Stop guessing where your industry is headed and start positioning yourself for the explosion in AI, self-employment, and high-touch human roles.

Timestamps

00:19 – The 76% unpreparedness gap in today’s job market.
00:53 – Trend 1: The AI Boom and top emerging roles.
01:27 – What is a Data Annotator?.
02:05 – Trend 2: The 69% surge in self-employment and "Founders".
02:59 – Remote work comparison: Founder vs. Sales Exec.
03:25 – Trend 3: Why human-centric jobs are thriving.
04:51 – A 3-step framework to navigate your 2026 career path.
ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER
People hire Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter to provide No BS job search coaching and career advice globally because he makes job search and succeeding in your career easier.

Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group coaching during your job search at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us.

You will also find great info and job search coaching to help with your job search at ⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠ You can get free copies of 25 Interview Questions and Answers, How to Craft a Compelling Elevator Pitch in 20 Seconds or Less, Get Ready for the Job Jungle, Diagnosing Your Job Search Problems, No BS Resume Advice, and Prove Your Worth First, Then Negotiate. Receive free weekly suggestions and more.

Subscribe to No BS Job Search Advice Radio, the #1 podcast in Apple Podcasts for job search with more than 3100 episodes.

Connect on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠

We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ and notice is provided that it is provided by Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay. Please contact us to negotiate the use of our content as training data.