by Caroline M.L. Potter, Yahoo! HotJobs
No one can predict the future, but spotting emerging trends is possible. After the tumult of 2008, will 2009 be any easier on the U.S. workforce? Find out what to expect in the year ahead so you can be prepared to spot opportunity and minimize risk.
1. Smaller companies may offer more job security.
Each week brings news of more and more layoffs at some of America's largest and most influential companies. This may indicate that the time is ripe to move to a more modestly sized organization. Says John A. Challenger, CEO of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, the nation's first outplacement consulting firm, "Small companies don't offer any immunity from being cast out, but they can be more nimble than large companies, reacting more quickly to turnarounds." He adds, "Small companies are taking advantage of this time to upgrade their talent," recruiting professionals who may have come from industry giants.
2. Hired guns will be in higher demand.
Challenger, whose company has offices across the U.S. as well as a global presence, points out, "Over the last decade, we've been seeing more companies looking to hire people on a part-time, temporary, or project basis, and each recession accelerates that interest. Employers today are fighting to control their costs in what has become a service economy, and employee costs, specifically, are under constant scrutiny."
Using contractors and freelancers can keep a company lean during lean times. He adds, "A corporation can bring people on as needed, for particular work. Companies don't want to go through big layoffs. They are aware of the damages that can cause. So they're turning, more and more, to a self-employed workforce."
3. Expect a pause or two in the hiring process.
Even if you're the ideal candidate for a job and the hiring manager is busy checking your references, an offer may not be immediately forthcoming. Challenger states, "While the hiring process varies from company to company, what I'm hearing is that a lot of candidates are getting put on hold. Times are bad so employers are going to wait and see a little bit longer."
Hiring freezes won't be uncommon, but even when an organization is staffing up the process could be lengthy. "There are more candidates out there, so companies will be more careful and look for the best fit. They are not hiring willy-nilly as in times of expansion."
4. People will postpone their retirement.
Between a poorly performing stock market, the Madoff scandal, and a weak real estate market, many folks will be working long past even the most well-planned retirement. Says Challenger, "I think a lot of people lost so much retirement wealth in the stock markets. Some lost 20% of their retirement savings, so I think this means many of them will need to work another three to five years." This could be a boon to employers who often look to retain tried and true workers over their less experienced counterparts during bearish times.
5. There will be an "Obama effect" on the jobs market.
The new administration has a lot of momentum in its corner -- and a lot of expectation from the public. The employment expert points out, "The optimism [surrounding President Obama] is one thing; we'll see how long that will last -- and it will be tough for that to last in a recession, at least insofar as jobs go."
But, he continues, "The infrastructure and rebuilding program to create jobs will be there. A primary goal of this administration is to create a couple million jobs. That is task number one. And they're really going to be working at it."
No one can predict the future, but spotting emerging trends is possible. After the tumult of 2008, will 2009 be any easier on the U.S. workforce? Find out what to expect in the year ahead so you can be prepared to spot opportunity and minimize risk.
1. Smaller companies may offer more job security.
Each week brings news of more and more layoffs at some of America's largest and most influential companies. This may indicate that the time is ripe to move to a more modestly sized organization. Says John A. Challenger, CEO of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, the nation's first outplacement consulting firm, "Small companies don't offer any immunity from being cast out, but they can be more nimble than large companies, reacting more quickly to turnarounds." He adds, "Small companies are taking advantage of this time to upgrade their talent," recruiting professionals who may have come from industry giants.
2. Hired guns will be in higher demand.
Challenger, whose company has offices across the U.S. as well as a global presence, points out, "Over the last decade, we've been seeing more companies looking to hire people on a part-time, temporary, or project basis, and each recession accelerates that interest. Employers today are fighting to control their costs in what has become a service economy, and employee costs, specifically, are under constant scrutiny."
Using contractors and freelancers can keep a company lean during lean times. He adds, "A corporation can bring people on as needed, for particular work. Companies don't want to go through big layoffs. They are aware of the damages that can cause. So they're turning, more and more, to a self-employed workforce."
3. Expect a pause or two in the hiring process.
Even if you're the ideal candidate for a job and the hiring manager is busy checking your references, an offer may not be immediately forthcoming. Challenger states, "While the hiring process varies from company to company, what I'm hearing is that a lot of candidates are getting put on hold. Times are bad so employers are going to wait and see a little bit longer."
Hiring freezes won't be uncommon, but even when an organization is staffing up the process could be lengthy. "There are more candidates out there, so companies will be more careful and look for the best fit. They are not hiring willy-nilly as in times of expansion."
4. People will postpone their retirement.
Between a poorly performing stock market, the Madoff scandal, and a weak real estate market, many folks will be working long past even the most well-planned retirement. Says Challenger, "I think a lot of people lost so much retirement wealth in the stock markets. Some lost 20% of their retirement savings, so I think this means many of them will need to work another three to five years." This could be a boon to employers who often look to retain tried and true workers over their less experienced counterparts during bearish times.
5. There will be an "Obama effect" on the jobs market.
The new administration has a lot of momentum in its corner -- and a lot of expectation from the public. The employment expert points out, "The optimism [surrounding President Obama] is one thing; we'll see how long that will last -- and it will be tough for that to last in a recession, at least insofar as jobs go."
But, he continues, "The infrastructure and rebuilding program to create jobs will be there. A primary goal of this administration is to create a couple million jobs. That is task number one. And they're really going to be working at it."
Job Info , Jobs Sources , Employment
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar