Employers are balancing their desire for continued growth and innovation with a necessary shrewdness in light of “the uncertain business environment ahead,” according to a recently released index on in-demand skills.

Scaling up HR departments seems to be top of mind for employers. By Business Talent Group’s count, employer interest in benefit-planning professionals and compensation strategists is on the rise — 100% and 215%, respectively. An off-shoot of executive search company Heidrick & Struggles, BTG focuses on placing project managers, interim executives and management consultants. Its 5th annual skills index, released July 28, is an analysis of staffing requests over the past year.  

Interest in global human resources professionals rose 314%; demand for interim HR leaders jumped 400%. But requests for cost reduction experts also jumped 400%.

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