Hybrid roles dominate postings while green skills surge in demand, LinkedIn data shows.
Irish workers are increasingly choosing stability over change as competition for new roles intensifies.
Fresh data from LinkedIn shows a marked decline in job search activity, with professionals leaning into what the platform calls “job hugging” – staying in their current positions rather than actively seeking new opportunities.
Job search intensity, measured by the ratio of applications to applicants, fell by 3.9% year-on-year in October. That drop is more than double the average decline across EMEA and LATAM markets, which stood at 1.5%. Only the UK, France and Germany recorded steeper falls, with the UK down 9.4%.
Cara O’Leary, LinkedIn’s Ireland country manager, said the trend reflects a more competitive hiring environment.
“Internationally and in Ireland, we are seeing a trend where more workers are opting to stay in their current roles rather than actively seeking new opportunities. This is down to a more competitive jobs market as companies advertise fewer roles,” she said. “We have observed a decline in job search intensity, which fell by nearly 4% year-on-year in October.”
Flexibility remains a key draw
Despite the slowdown in job searches, Ireland continues to lead on flexible work. Hybrid roles accounted for 37.3% of all job postings in October, tying with the UK for the highest share across EMEA and well above the regional average of 30.8%. Remote positions also remain prominent, with Ireland ranking second in EMEA at 8.2% of postings, just behind the UK at 8.6%.
Demand for remote work is strong. Across EMEA, remote roles attracted 14.7% of applications, but in Ireland the figure was higher at 18.4% — nearly one in five applications.
“Flexibility continues to be a key differentiator for companies seeking to attract and retain the best talent,” O’Leary said. “Hybrid roles now account for more than one-third of all job postings, and remote opportunities remain highly sought after.”
Green skills gain momentum
LinkedIn’s Green Skills Report 2025 highlights another trend shaping the labour market: sustainability expertise. Green talent is being hired at rates 46.6% above the global average. Energy management emerged as the fastest-growing green skill category, with adoption up 17.4% year-on-year. The surge is driven by AI-powered energy demand and the expansion of renewable energy supply, particularly in technology, media and utilities.
“As demand for sustainability and energy-related expertise accelerates, Irish professionals who invest in these skills will be exceptionally well positioned for the future,” O’Leary said.
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