Companies now recognize that a skilled employee is often more valuable than someone with a degree but little experience. While this may be discouraging for Millennials burdened with student loan debt, it’s good news for those who entered the workforce early and built years of hands-on experience.

If you lack real-world experience, connect with an industry-specific staffing company. They can place you in temporary roles that strengthen your resume and put you in front of hiring managers. If you’re already employed, ask to be cross-trained in a role that excites you. There are many practical ways to gain valuable experience without adding student loan debt.

2. Talent Communities are Where the Jobs Are

Job posting spam has gotten out of control on major job search sites like Monster, Indeed, and Craigslist. Job seekers feel frustrated by sifting through irrelevant postings. Hiring managers, in turn, are disappointed with the quality of candidates they receive from these massive platforms.

The new hiring trend for 2016 is talent communities. These are industry-specific websites that connect people in targeted fields, such as managers, marketers, or skilled trade workers. A great example is the National Apartment Association’s Public Communities page. There, you’ll find groups for CAM (Certified Apartment Managers), CAMT (Certificate for Apartment Maintenance Technicians), and many more.

Find your industry’s talent community online and join the conversation!

3. Obamacare Is Coming, Full-Time Employees Beware

2016 is the year Obamacare takes full effect. Many companies will respond by laying off full-time employees and replacing them with contract workers to avoid hefty healthcare costs.

According to Forbes.com, 95% of companies with 100 or more employees will need to provide insurance. Companies with 50 to 99 employees must also insure their full-time workers. Blue Cross of North Carolina, for example, has already raised rates by 35%.

As a result, businesses are expected to rely more heavily on contract workers and freelancers—a hiring trend that will only grow stronger.

4. Telecommuting Is On the Rise

Offices are getting smaller as companies realize that the virtual work space can save them big bucks. Millennials, the largest group of workers today, have voiced that they prefer a flexible working environment and companies have taken that to heart. Coupled with a move towards contract workers, companies are set to remove geographic barriers to their hiring pool. The trend in 2016 will be to allow employees to work remotely, meaning the job searcher is no longer limited to open positions in their city.

5. Company Branding Is a Must

2016 looks to be the year that job searchers are catered to more than the hiring managers. Companies such as Amazon and Netflix have lead the way in branding their corporate culture in a desirable fashion, earning them a talent pool that is knocking at their door to be a part of what they have created. You will see many companies across multiple industries offering redesigned offices, tuition reimbursement, better maternity and paternity leave, and flexible schedules. You will also see companies getting more involved in charitable causes as the younger generation takes over management roles that the baby boomers are leaving vacant in exchange for retirement.

The job seeker in 2016 will make sure to highlight their volunteer experience and ask about the company’s culture and what makes it different from its competitors.

There you have it! This year will be a very exciting year for employment. Make sure to get yourself in line with what the 2016 hiring trends are and snag yourself a position with a company you will love working for.