December 5, 2011
Staffing and Employment News
Recruiting Forecast
Recruiters and hiring managers forecast modest job gains in early 2012, according to a national survey conducted by Dice Holdings Inc. released on November 28. In fact, almost half (47%) of hiring managers and recruiters surveyed said they plan additional hiring during the first half of the year. 43% of hiring professionals said that despite the economy, hiring plans have not changed; 21% are increasing hiring, and 30% are revising hiring plans downward.
“With so much uncertainty in the air when it comes to the economy and job creation, it’s a surprisingly positive sign that nearly half of respondents are optimistic about hiring at the start of 2012,” said Scot Melland, chairman, president and CEO of Dice Holdings. “Although modest in size, we’ve added private-sector jobs for 20 months now, and that modest job growth looks set to continue. We need to focus on removing any hurdles that impede companies from investing in America’s talent.” (more…)
Staffing and Employment News
Recruiting Forecast
Recruiters and hiring managers forecast modest job gains in early 2012, according to a national survey conducted by Dice Holdings Inc. released on November 28. In fact, almost half (47%) of hiring managers and recruiters surveyed said they plan additional hiring during the first half of the year. 43% of hiring professionals said that despite the economy, hiring plans have not changed; 21% are increasing hiring, and 30% are revising hiring plans downward.
“With so much uncertainty in the air when it comes to the economy and job creation, it’s a surprisingly positive sign that nearly half of respondents are optimistic about hiring at the start of 2012,” said Scot Melland, chairman, president and CEO of Dice Holdings. “Although modest in size, we’ve added private-sector jobs for 20 months now, and that modest job growth looks set to continue. We need to focus on removing any hurdles that impede companies from investing in America’s talent.”
The numbers
November private payrolls according to ADP almost doubled (206,000) over October’s (110,000), whopping the consensus leading up to the employment report which forecast 110,000 to 160,000.
IT employment continues to show growth monthly. The TechServe Alliance monthly index shows that more than 7,000 IT jobs were added in October, an increase of 87,000 positions from October 2010, or 2.2 percent. “According to both data and the anecdotal reports of my member companies, demand for IT professionals in key skill sets remains strong,” said TechServe Alliance CEO Mark Roberts. According to the Brookings Institute, rising computer and electronic exports to Asia fueled that industry’s 7 percent job growth in the third quarter in Silicon Valley.
Clean energy project investment had a record quarter: Q3 2011 saw a surge in wind farm and solar park financings, as well as in merger and acquisition activity. In Allentown, PA, by jobs in basic chemical manufacturing are growing again thanks to strong demand from Latin America.
Confidence
The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index improved last month after reaching recessionary levels in October. It now stands at 56.0 (1985=100), up from 40.9 in October. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) owners reported a workforce reduction again for the 5th month; but at the same time reported that Small Business Optimism did rise slightly in October.
Related Reading
DICE HOLDINGS, INC.: Hiring Managers’ Plans Surprisingly Steadfast: Modest Job Gains Expected in Early 2012
Small-Business Confidence Ticks Upward: Still Weighed Down by Dominant Negative Forecast
April 14, 2011
 Shannon Tinker How to Hire the Best Candidate: Get Out of Your Own Way
By Shannon Tinker
Last month, I offered some pre-resume reviewing steps for preserving time and sanity during the hiring process. Hiring isn’t rocket science. You get approval, decide what you want and need and then go about finding “It.” What’s surprising is what happens when you do find “It.” Managers make tough decisions daily, yet when faced with a viable candidate they don’t always make their move.
Even veteran managers accumulate reasons for why they shouldn’t extend a job offer to the right candidate. I’m not suggesting that you should jump on any candidate with Java on his resume and a pulse. (This isn’t 1999!) But it is interesting and heartbreaking when “best practices” and fear get in the way of hiring your next star employee. (more…)
March 9, 2011
Shannon Tinker Things to Know Before Reviewing Your First Resume
By Shannon Tinker
Hallelujah! You’ve been given the green light to add employees to your team and not a moment too soon. Your team has been in the trenches since the economy’s infamous downturn and despite your efforts, your hiring budget has remained nonexistent. Your new hiring breakthrough is exciting and it’s tempting to start the candidate search ASAP. Evaluating some key elements before jumping into the candidate pool with both feet can ensure a successful search, and minimize the level of frustration for you and your team. (more…)
July 9, 2010
Wages and Salaries as the Economy Recovers — Or Not
 Robert Teal by Robert Teal, CCP, CBP
As the economy begins to show signs of recovery you would expect to see a growth in wages and salaries, or maybe not.
In a May 19th article titled “Starting salaries drop with higher unemployment” published in the St. Joseph News-Press by Ryan Davis, it was reported that this year’s crop of new college graduate may need to adjust their salary expectations before heading out into today’s job market.
(more…)
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