Keppie Careers

Social media speaker, social media consultant, job search coach

CareerBuilder's 2010 Jobs Forecast wrap up

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CareerBuilder released its 2010 Jobs Forecast, and Anthony Balderrama touched on the highlights in a recent CareerBuzz:

If you’re wondering where the jobs are, look to the West, where 24 percent of employers intend to add full-time workers. Employers in the Northeast anticipate the next highest amount of hiring, followed by the South and Midwest.

The industries where you can expect to see the largest hiring increases are information technology, manufacturing, financial services, professional and business services and sales.

Other notable results from the survey? Some good news for job seekers: “20% of employers plan to increase their number of full-time, permanent employees this year, up from 14% in 2009.” On the flip side, “9% plan to decrease headcount, down from 16% in 2009.” Most (61%) don’t anticipate hiring or firing workers.

The survey asks hiring managers and human resource professionals to comment on a variety of topics of interest to job seekers and employers. Some highlights from the survey include companies’ plans to:

  • Replace lower-performing employees. Although most employers surveyed would grade their workforces a “B” or above (85%).
  • Emphasize social media to strengthen their brand. 37% will focus more on social media and 8% plan to hire someone to do the job.
  • Rehire laid-off workers. 32% plan to bring back workers, some in the first six months of the year.
  • Continue to provide flexible work arrangements. 35% (up from 31% last year) will offer alternate schedules, telecommunting, compressed work weeks, summer hours, job sharing and/or sabbaticals.
  • Cut perks and benefits. 37% (up from 32% last year) plan to cut employee incentives. Bonuses are the biggest cut (15%), followed by medical coverage (10%), suspended 401k matching, condiments, incentive trips, academic reimbursement, vacation time and wellness benefits.

Other items from the survey:

  • Mature workers get the nod from 27% of surveyed companies who say they are open to retaining their workers who are approaching retirement. 1% say they may rehire retirees from other companies this year. 10% may offer incentives to keep workers approaching retirement age with their company. This works well for those approaching retirement age, as 37% of employers surveyed reported that they have employees requesting to stay on, up from 22% last year.
  • Freelance or contract workers will still be on the books this year for 30% of surveyed employers, up from 28% last year.
  • The environment is a greater focus for 11% of employers who plan to add “green jobs,” which is on par with last year’s figures.
  • Bilingual employees are in luck. 40% of employers plan to build a bilingual workforce, although the survey does not specify what languages are in demand.

Read highlights HERE or download the full report HERE.

No matter what your job target, you can benefit from personalized advice! Don’t forget that clear, concise, optimized job search materials AND a strong, well executed plan are key for job search success! I can help with every part of your job hunt! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching?  If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While you’re at it, don’t forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since we’re on the subject of doing something new…Are you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers.

photo by segozyme

Best careers for 2010

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Last year at about this time, I noted that The Associated Press reported, “It’s a big economy; 350 million people — there’s always going to be people hiring.” True enough, but if you were one of the 15.4 Americans out of work, it might not have seemed like such a big economy.

Do Your Research

Every job seeker should keep an eye on his or her industry and make plans for the future with an informed outlook. It’s a good idea to set a Google alert for organizations and fields of interest to you so you’ll be aware when there are newsworthy ups and downs in your market. Clearly, there are trends in industries. While there are no guarantees (even some government workers – traditionally thought immune from layoffs – have been under the gun), keeping an eye on these surveys and data should help direct those seeking career change make their plans.

You also want to see how predictions hold out year-over-year. For example, last year, I reported that the health care sector was expected to expand, as were opportunities in green energy organizations. These continue to be fields that make the growth lists. In fact, U.S. News reports that healthcare did expand its payrolls in 2009, though “not at the clip customary for a healthier economy.”

U.S. News notes, “Sometimes, a recession shows you that the best jobs aren’t the ones that grab headlines or dazzle strangers. Rather, they’re the ones that offer a stable paycheck and a little satisfaction at the end of the day.” Excellent point. You may be surprised by some of the professions on this list.

The most interesting surprise on the list for me? “Employment of security system installers is forecast to jump 25 percent between 2008 and 2018.” Hmm…Clearly the fact that we are feeling less than secure has an upside for some professions!”

Here is U.S. News & World Report’s list of top jobs for 2010, broken down by categories considered promising growth fields:

Science and Technology

Health care

Education and Civic

Business and Finance

Creative and Service

Be sure to review U.S. News’ entire, informative article outlining the various opportunities and their methodology.

Don’t forget that clear, concise, optimized job search materials AND a strong, well executed plan are key for job search success! I can help with every part of your job hunt! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching?  If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While you’re at it, don’t forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since we’re on the subject of doing something new…Are you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers.

photo by nishwater