The local labor market is currently caught between two eras. On one hand, the economy is still powered by the essential work of office administrators and engineers. On the other, the growing wave of digital transformation is beginning to reshape the remaining job openings.

Data from the latest “In-demand Jobs Wrapped” report by Jobstreet by SEEK showed that while the tech world gets the headlines, the bulk of the hiring remains in the machinery of office life.

In 2025, administrative and office support positions made up 28.6 percent of all job postings on the Jobstreet by SEEK platform, suggesting that, for all the talk of automation, Philippine businesses still prioritize the people who keep offices running.

The report showed that Philippine businesses still value human oversight over total automation. While it’s easy to assume that software is taking over basic tasks, many local companies are still hiring more administrative staff to help manage their new digital tools.

Moreover, much of this hiring is also driven by the return to physical offices. As more companies in hubs like Metro Manila and Cebu move away from fully remote work, they need people on the ground to keep things running.

In addition, for many small and medium-sized businesses, hiring an office manager is often more effective and affordable than buying expensive new software.

There is also a cultural side to this, as Filipino consumers still prefer talking to a person rather than a chatbot. Whether you’re a client or a coworker, having a human point of contact is a sign of good service and reliability.

Meanwhile, engineering was the second-most active area for hiring at 10.2 percent last year, with education and training close behind at 9.2 percent. These figures point to a country that is still very much focused on building physical infrastructure and teaching the next generation of workers.

Dannah Majarocon, who leads Jobstreet by SEEK in the Philippines, noted that the goal remains simple: connecting people with jobs that actually matter to their lives. But what “matters” to workers is also changing.

While the call center and customer service industry accounts for 9.1 percent of job posts, it also has the most restless workforce. More than 12 percent of the people actively looking for new roles on the platform come from this sector.

Majarocon said this high activity suggests a workforce that is constantly on the lookout for better pay, shorter commutes, or more sustainable hours.

The tech sector, specifically information and communication technology, accounted for 6.6 percent of job ads. While it isn’t the largest slice of the pie, it is where the most significant changes are happening.

Companies are looking for people who can handle AI-generated outputs and digital tool outputs. This doesn't mean every clerk needs to be a coder, but it does mean that being comfortable with new software is becoming a non-negotiable part of the job.

Other sectors showed steady but more modest hiring numbers. Accounting stood at 5.8 percent, sales at 5.0 percent, and the combined fields of manufacturing, transport, and logistics at 4.7 percent.

Smaller segments like retail and marketing both hovered under three percent. While these numbers are smaller, they represent the essential services that keep the local economy moving.

Beyond the numbers, there is a clear shift in what candidates are asking for during interviews. People are no longer just looking at the salary. Flexibility has become a top priority. Whether it is a hybrid schedule or the ability to work from home, candidates are often walking away from roles that require a five-day-a-week office presence.

There is also a growing interest in how companies treat their people and the environment. Workers are increasingly checking if a company’s values align with their own before they sign a contract.

As 2026 progresses, the challenge for Philippine employers will be balancing these new expectations with their operational needs.

The companies that find success will likely be those that recognize that their staff are looking for more than just a paycheck; they are looking for a workplace that respects their time and their growth.