In order to identify the positions that were most likely to stay unfilled for more than 60 days—a sign that they were "hard to fill"—the study looked at job ads from January 1, 2024, to December 1, 2024.

Privacy analyst job posts rank highest, with 54% of posted positions still unfilled after more than 60 days. The "artists" postings come in second.

Indeed claims that this may be partly due to the trend of using the term "artist" outside of purely creative disciplines, but it may also be related to the increased attention and investment in sectors like film, animation, and game development.

Engineering positions are prominent, and it is difficult to fill positions for process engineers, senior engineers, and senior electrical engineers. Building engineers, welders, and electrical technicians are among the occupations in the construction industry that are difficult to fill.

Sarah Carroll, an Indeed Career Expert, stated, "This new data highlights the key skill gaps in the current workforce, revealing the areas where supply is not meeting demand."

"The findings may be particularly useful for those seeking a new year career change, as we know traditionally January is a busy time for career switchers," she stated.