The Job Title Disappearing Fastest (and What To Do If You Have It)
Some occupations will likely stand the test of time, but others won’t last forever. As technology brings new advancements, certain jobs will become obsolete.
In 2025, the job title of word processors and typists was the fastest declining occupation in the U.S., according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Specifically, employment is expected to decline by 34.4% through 2035.
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Don’t panic if your job involves similar duties, but falls under the title of court reporter or simultaneous captioner, medical transcriptionist, secretary or administrative assistant or data entry keyer, as these titles are excluded from the fast-disappearing designation, according to the BLS.
However, if word processor or typist is your job title, it’s time to pivot. If this your line of work, find out below exactly what to do in four steps.
Find Your Transferrable Skills
“Many people think that since their job title is disappearing, they are no longer employable,” said Anne Ryan, career coach and speaker at Anne Ryan Consulting, LLC. “That is not the case at all.”
She noted that word processors and typists have a strong set of foundational — or soft — skills, such as precision, written communication and discretion. Take inventory of these skills by writing them down and providing specific examples of each that could be added to your resume, she said.
Look for Jobs That Require These Transferrable Skills
Next, you’ll want to decide what role you’d like to transition into, she said.
To accomplish this, Rebecca Henninger, career coach and founder of The Job Girl, shared an exercise to complete. Get a piece of paper and create three columns titled “What I do now,” “What problem this solves” and “Where else that problem is valuable,” she said.
“For example, ‘format documents’ may become ‘produce accurate, client-ready materials under tight deadlines,’” she said. “That capability can translate into administrative operations, legal support, project coordination, document control or other roles where accuracy and information flow are important.”
Reskill To Make Yourself More Hirable
After that, she recommended reviewing 15 to 20 current job postings for similar roles, looking closely for repeated skills, tools and problems. “That shows you where the most marketable gaps are,” she said.”
When you’ve identified common abilities needed that you don’t have, use this knowledge to reskill, she said. Being informed will allow you to pursue new skills that are in demand. “If 12 of those postings ask for the same platform, AI tool, records system or project management skill, that is a strong signal,” she said.
Update Your Personal Branding
When you’ve reskilled yourself into a strong candidate, you’ll be ready to start seeking new jobs. Ryan said to start by updating your personal branding — i.e., resume or LinkedIn profile — to fit the job you want. “Most people write for the job they have now instead of the job they want next,” she said.
Next, you’ll need to create a job search strategy that’s 90% networking and 10% applying to jobs online, she explained. As for getting hired, finding a new job might take longer than expected. The average job search in the U.S. lasts 6.6 months, according to the United Way of the National Capital Area.
Try to remember that finding a job in this market is a marathon, not a sprint, Ryan added.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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