"STATE OF STATE OF THE JOB MARKET ADDRESS"
Just felt the need to chime in on the employment marketplace and give candidates my impression of what's been going on & my read on what to expect in the near future...
Since my last entry, 3 of my largest clients have begun either an official or "unofficial" HIRING FREEZE. These companies are not adding to existing PERMANENT EMPLOYEE headcount unless someone quits or is fired. Last year at this time, these companies had me engaged in more than 20 simultaneous searches. Currently, I am working on 6 active searches on behalf of all 3.
The trend seems to be heading in the direction of "CONTRACT" or "LONG-TERM TEMP" engagements. Employers still need the manpower - but are looking to project based engagements to PLUG/FILL the need for staff as opposed to permanent full time commitments. In this market...oddly enough...it is often advantageous to be "in between jobs" with the ability to "date" an employer without the promise of marriage.
The permanent searches that are still active are NOT offering the aggressive compensation packages seen in OFFERS just 6 months ago. Employers are forcing candidates to evaluate the opportunity they are offering on a GLOBAL prospective. This is to say - companies are no longer quick to offer 10K + more than what candidates are currently earning in base pay. They are looking for employees who want "the type of environment they offer", "opportunity for growth", "a challenging new set of responsibilities" and assigning a value to these things that outweighs the previously ASSUMED large bump in base salary.
I think that a candidate that is actively searching & is fortunate to have 3 quality interviews and receive an offer...no longer has the luxury of TESTING the market or hoping they may get 3-4 more interviews over the course of the coming weeks. Decisions need to be made more quickly - with the understanding that offers are NOT coming as easily as they were just a few months ago.
MAKING A LATERAL SALARY MOVE...for the opportunity to be HAPPY and want to go to work everyday is a very real part of current searches.
Candidates need to continue to adapt to the changing market - customize their resumes & approach their searches with ENERGY/ENTHUSIASM/POSITIVITY...more than ever - your personality, attitude and desire for the job are being scrutinized.
I am actively looking to develop new relationships with other leading ADVERTISING, BEAUTY, CONSUMER PACKAGED GOODS, ENTERTAINMENT & BRANDING companies...and will be continuing to post new opportunities on MONSTER, HOTJOBS, CEW.ORG, CRAIGSLIST...
___________________________________________________________________
"MY NAME IS KNOWN...ALL OVER THE WORLD...BY ALL THE FOXY LADIES...AND THE PRETTY GIRLS" - SUGAR HILL GANG
Since my last entry, 3 of my largest clients have begun either an official or "unofficial" HIRING FREEZE. These companies are not adding to existing PERMANENT EMPLOYEE headcount unless someone quits or is fired. Last year at this time, these companies had me engaged in more than 20 simultaneous searches. Currently, I am working on 6 active searches on behalf of all 3.
The trend seems to be heading in the direction of "CONTRACT" or "LONG-TERM TEMP" engagements. Employers still need the manpower - but are looking to project based engagements to PLUG/FILL the need for staff as opposed to permanent full time commitments. In this market...oddly enough...it is often advantageous to be "in between jobs" with the ability to "date" an employer without the promise of marriage.
The permanent searches that are still active are NOT offering the aggressive compensation packages seen in OFFERS just 6 months ago. Employers are forcing candidates to evaluate the opportunity they are offering on a GLOBAL prospective. This is to say - companies are no longer quick to offer 10K + more than what candidates are currently earning in base pay. They are looking for employees who want "the type of environment they offer", "opportunity for growth", "a challenging new set of responsibilities" and assigning a value to these things that outweighs the previously ASSUMED large bump in base salary.
I think that a candidate that is actively searching & is fortunate to have 3 quality interviews and receive an offer...no longer has the luxury of TESTING the market or hoping they may get 3-4 more interviews over the course of the coming weeks. Decisions need to be made more quickly - with the understanding that offers are NOT coming as easily as they were just a few months ago.
MAKING A LATERAL SALARY MOVE...for the opportunity to be HAPPY and want to go to work everyday is a very real part of current searches.
Candidates need to continue to adapt to the changing market - customize their resumes & approach their searches with ENERGY/ENTHUSIASM/POSITIVITY...more than ever - your personality, attitude and desire for the job are being scrutinized.
I am actively looking to develop new relationships with other leading ADVERTISING, BEAUTY, CONSUMER PACKAGED GOODS, ENTERTAINMENT & BRANDING companies...and will be continuing to post new opportunities on MONSTER, HOTJOBS, CEW.ORG, CRAIGSLIST...
___________________________________________________________________
"MY NAME IS KNOWN...ALL OVER THE WORLD...BY ALL THE FOXY LADIES...AND THE PRETTY GIRLS" - SUGAR HILL GANG
