NEW YEAR = NEW HOPE + OLD FEARS...
We are now nearly a month into the New Year... stocks are up...natural disaster has devastated the people of Haiti...Ted Kennedy's Senate seat is now occupied by a Republican for the first time in over 50 years
Are there more job opportunities? Are people leaving jobs they stayed in despite being unhappy? Do the Unemployment Reports really mean anything? Should you present yourself as a "Specialist" or "Jack of All Trades"? What could make things on the job front worse?
Let's begin to address some of the questions I posed.
ARE THERE MORE JOB OPPORTUNITIES?
- This is a two-part answer. YES...if you are involved in specific industries...and possess a specific skill set. So...my colleagues that recruit in the Financial Services, Banking, IT, and SALES sectors are seeing an increase in hiring.
However, if are in MARKETING, ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT, HUMAN RESOURCES, PUBLIC RELATIONS, EVENTS or OPERATIONS capacity...I don't see much change...yet.
In examining many of the leading JOB BOARDS and PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING SITES...there does appear to be a visible increase in the number of postings.
There seems to be a greater increase in the number of TEMP or CONSULTING roles. This is to be expected. as companies loosen their wallets - they look to "DATE" employees or commit to specific project time-lines.
* IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT COMPANIES HAVE PLACED A LOT OF PRESSURE ON THEIR HR TEAMS TO STOP RELYING ON OUTSIDE RECRUITMENT FIRMS. SO...AS A RESULT; THE OPPORTUNITIES CALLED OUT TO AGENCIES IS STILL MINIMAL.
*** THIS WILL CHANGE WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS THOUGH. SENIOR MANAGEMENT IS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT DUE TO THE LARGE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED "TALENT" - THAT IT IS NOW EASIER TO FIND "GREAT CANDIDATES".
THIS IS SIMPLY UNTRUE!
COMPANIES ARE NOT LOOKING FOR THE CANDIDATE THAT HAS BEEN POSTING THEIR RESUME ON EVERY JOB BOARD OR SENDING THEIR RESUME TO THEIR CORPORATE WEBSITE FOR MONTHS. EMPLOYERS STILL WANT "PASSIVE JOB SEEKERS" ...EVEN IN THIS ECONOMY - THERE IS STILL A PREFERENCE FOR CANDIDATES THAT ARE CURRENTLY EMPLOYED. THE PEOPLE HARDEST HIT WERE PEOPLE WHO WERE "COASTING" IN THEIR JOB AND PUTTING FORTH MINIMAL EFFORT. THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT IN HIGH DEMAND. THE OTHER POPULATION HARDEST HIT WERE PROFESSIONALS WITH 0-3 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE --- AND THOSE WITH 20 OR MORE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE.
UNEMPLOYMENT REPORTS:
Although the signs have been more positive as of late - the reports are not an accurate portrayal of the current JOB LANDSCAPE. So...despite NEW UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS being down...this does not account for the still incredibly high number of people who have been out of a job for 3, 6, 12 months+. There are also reports of increased TEMP hiring. Many of these positions are in HEALTHCARE & FOOD/BEVERAGE. The spots in local NYC companies that people REALLY NEED ( ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, RECEPTIONIST, CUSTOMER SERVICE, MARKETING, PR/EVENTS) are not increasing...at least NOT YET. Only time will tell. The job market traditionally lags behind the recovery of the general economy by 3-6 months...and in NYC it starts DOWNTOWN (WALL STREET) and migrates NORTH to MADISON AVENUE. We should really know where we are at at the end of 1st quarter - beginning of 2nd quarter.
ARE "UNHAPPY" EMPLOYED PEOPLE READY TO MAKE A MOVE?
Many people have found themselves feeling STUCK in a job they are unhappy with for over two years now. The difference now is that there really were NO OPTIONS. The options that have been out there - came with TREMENDOUS RISK. As unhappy as you are - you don't want to leave the security of a regular paycheck to go to a START-UP or a company that is struggling to redefine themselves. While these types of opportunities may be exciting in a ROBUST economy...the last thing people want is more UNCERTAINTY or RISK. However; the past few weeks and months I have seen an increase in the number of EMPLOYED people reaching back out to inquire about the market - express an interest in making a move over the next few months. I am hopeful that along with these NEW MOVES - and budgets being APPROVED...that HIRING OVERALL will rise OUT OF NECESSITY!
SPECIALIST OR "JACK OF ALL TRADES"
Now...more than ever - EMPLOYERS WANT SPECIALISTS! although many job seekers have had to redefine their skill-set...customize their resume in an attempt to make themselves as marketable as possible. Employers are looking for a professional with a specific skill set that will immediately have impact on the manner in which they do business. A potent combination of STRONG ANALYTICAL SKILLS/BUSINESS ACUMEN + STRATEGIC/CREATIVE VISION is what is sought after. This needs to be accompanied by the fine balance of being able to function with autonomy - while being seen as a "CULTURAL FIT" - "PERSONALITY MATCH"..."TEAM PLAYER".
WHAT COULD MAKE THINGS WORSE?
I believe that it can't get much worse! However, there are a few things that can have devastating effects on the economy. They are: A TERRORIST ATTACK, A MAJOR NATURAL DISASTER, OR A HEALTH CRISIS (PANDEMIC). If we can avoid these - it would appear...that over time...maybe the entire 2010...things in the job market should rebound.
So...this is my OPINION...backed by many facts - but nonetheless...my opinion.
I continue to remain positive...understanding that it is those who find a way to survive during times of great challenge - that ultimately flourish!
KEEP THINKING POSITIVELY!!!
"APART WE CAN ACCOMPLISH MUCH - TOGETHER, WE CAN DO ANYTHING"
Sean Koppelman
(a portion of my wedding vows - partnership with my wife Samantha)
Are there more job opportunities? Are people leaving jobs they stayed in despite being unhappy? Do the Unemployment Reports really mean anything? Should you present yourself as a "Specialist" or "Jack of All Trades"? What could make things on the job front worse?
Let's begin to address some of the questions I posed.
ARE THERE MORE JOB OPPORTUNITIES?
- This is a two-part answer. YES...if you are involved in specific industries...and possess a specific skill set. So...my colleagues that recruit in the Financial Services, Banking, IT, and SALES sectors are seeing an increase in hiring.
However, if are in MARKETING, ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT, HUMAN RESOURCES, PUBLIC RELATIONS, EVENTS or OPERATIONS capacity...I don't see much change...yet.
In examining many of the leading JOB BOARDS and PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING SITES...there does appear to be a visible increase in the number of postings.
There seems to be a greater increase in the number of TEMP or CONSULTING roles. This is to be expected. as companies loosen their wallets - they look to "DATE" employees or commit to specific project time-lines.
* IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT COMPANIES HAVE PLACED A LOT OF PRESSURE ON THEIR HR TEAMS TO STOP RELYING ON OUTSIDE RECRUITMENT FIRMS. SO...AS A RESULT; THE OPPORTUNITIES CALLED OUT TO AGENCIES IS STILL MINIMAL.
*** THIS WILL CHANGE WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS THOUGH. SENIOR MANAGEMENT IS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT DUE TO THE LARGE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED "TALENT" - THAT IT IS NOW EASIER TO FIND "GREAT CANDIDATES".
THIS IS SIMPLY UNTRUE!
COMPANIES ARE NOT LOOKING FOR THE CANDIDATE THAT HAS BEEN POSTING THEIR RESUME ON EVERY JOB BOARD OR SENDING THEIR RESUME TO THEIR CORPORATE WEBSITE FOR MONTHS. EMPLOYERS STILL WANT "PASSIVE JOB SEEKERS" ...EVEN IN THIS ECONOMY - THERE IS STILL A PREFERENCE FOR CANDIDATES THAT ARE CURRENTLY EMPLOYED. THE PEOPLE HARDEST HIT WERE PEOPLE WHO WERE "COASTING" IN THEIR JOB AND PUTTING FORTH MINIMAL EFFORT. THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT IN HIGH DEMAND. THE OTHER POPULATION HARDEST HIT WERE PROFESSIONALS WITH 0-3 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE --- AND THOSE WITH 20 OR MORE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE.
UNEMPLOYMENT REPORTS:
Although the signs have been more positive as of late - the reports are not an accurate portrayal of the current JOB LANDSCAPE. So...despite NEW UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS being down...this does not account for the still incredibly high number of people who have been out of a job for 3, 6, 12 months+. There are also reports of increased TEMP hiring. Many of these positions are in HEALTHCARE & FOOD/BEVERAGE. The spots in local NYC companies that people REALLY NEED ( ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, RECEPTIONIST, CUSTOMER SERVICE, MARKETING, PR/EVENTS) are not increasing...at least NOT YET. Only time will tell. The job market traditionally lags behind the recovery of the general economy by 3-6 months...and in NYC it starts DOWNTOWN (WALL STREET) and migrates NORTH to MADISON AVENUE. We should really know where we are at at the end of 1st quarter - beginning of 2nd quarter.
ARE "UNHAPPY" EMPLOYED PEOPLE READY TO MAKE A MOVE?
Many people have found themselves feeling STUCK in a job they are unhappy with for over two years now. The difference now is that there really were NO OPTIONS. The options that have been out there - came with TREMENDOUS RISK. As unhappy as you are - you don't want to leave the security of a regular paycheck to go to a START-UP or a company that is struggling to redefine themselves. While these types of opportunities may be exciting in a ROBUST economy...the last thing people want is more UNCERTAINTY or RISK. However; the past few weeks and months I have seen an increase in the number of EMPLOYED people reaching back out to inquire about the market - express an interest in making a move over the next few months. I am hopeful that along with these NEW MOVES - and budgets being APPROVED...that HIRING OVERALL will rise OUT OF NECESSITY!
SPECIALIST OR "JACK OF ALL TRADES"
Now...more than ever - EMPLOYERS WANT SPECIALISTS! although many job seekers have had to redefine their skill-set...customize their resume in an attempt to make themselves as marketable as possible. Employers are looking for a professional with a specific skill set that will immediately have impact on the manner in which they do business. A potent combination of STRONG ANALYTICAL SKILLS/BUSINESS ACUMEN + STRATEGIC/CREATIVE VISION is what is sought after. This needs to be accompanied by the fine balance of being able to function with autonomy - while being seen as a "CULTURAL FIT" - "PERSONALITY MATCH"..."TEAM PLAYER".
WHAT COULD MAKE THINGS WORSE?
I believe that it can't get much worse! However, there are a few things that can have devastating effects on the economy. They are: A TERRORIST ATTACK, A MAJOR NATURAL DISASTER, OR A HEALTH CRISIS (PANDEMIC). If we can avoid these - it would appear...that over time...maybe the entire 2010...things in the job market should rebound.
So...this is my OPINION...backed by many facts - but nonetheless...my opinion.
I continue to remain positive...understanding that it is those who find a way to survive during times of great challenge - that ultimately flourish!
KEEP THINKING POSITIVELY!!!
"APART WE CAN ACCOMPLISH MUCH - TOGETHER, WE CAN DO ANYTHING"
Sean Koppelman
(a portion of my wedding vows - partnership with my wife Samantha)
