Manual Quality assurance job

I'm currently exploring opportunities in manual testing, with experience in the banking domain (Trade Finance). I'd like to understand how the market looks these days- do companies still actively hire manual testers, or is the demand mostly shifting towards automation? I'm also looking to prepare for interviews and would appreciate suggestions on what skills are most valued right now. I'm casually exploring, but also open to opportunities that offer good career growth and a hike. Would be grateful for your insights and guidance on current market trends and preparation tips. Thanks in advance!